Joint disease occurs in different forms. Pain is usually visible with a lame gait; however joint pains and their causes are not always visible. If you want to do something for your dog’s joint health early on, you should focus on a few important points.  

1. Observe your dogs’ Behaviour 

Dogs often show pain differently to us humans. Blunt injuries, such as bruises or strains, are often not visible, and in the worst cases can lead to inflammation with severe consequences. If these are not dealt with, they can lead to chronic illnesses, which could permanently hinder movement. Through watching your pet carefully, you may be able to pick up signs of these injuries and get them treated by a veterinarian. Dogs can also injure themselves playing with other dogs, or in everyday life. Possible symptoms include fever, fatigue, pain when touching the affected joint, joint stiffness, joint swelling, or restlessness. [1]. Observing your animal trains you to notice possible changes.  

2. Keep them a Healthy Weight 

The more weight there is on their joints, the higher the risk of bad posture, pain, or chronic joint disorders - the higher amount of stress placed on them wears joints out quicker. Anyone who notices that their dog is overweight can reduce this through exercise and a specific feeding plan. You should also make sure that you avoid exercises with a high risk of injury. Just like for humans, swim train is well suited for this. Through this, the entire muscular system can be strengthened, while joints are protected. [2] 

3. Encourage gentle exercise  

Particularly in old or previously unwell dogs, moderate but regular exercise should be encouraged. Start slowly with a warmup for both muscles and joints, before moving onto the more athletic part. Walks are preferable to games of fetch, as sprinting will put a lot of strain on their joints.  

4. Consider Age and Previous Illnesses 

With puppies and young dogs, it is important to make sure, that during their growing phases they are only doing exercise that is easy on their joints. The same is true for older dogs who already have joint problems. Climbing stairs and jumping should be avoided to prevent the potential for damage later. [3] 

Special feed can also be introduced in order to support joint health. Many products contain animal derived raw materials, that can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Our Jump Russell joint supplement contains only clean plant-based ingredients, with a high bioavailability. The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as valuable plant extracts are specifically designed for joint needs. Glucosamine is an amino sugar, that is naturally produced in the body, and is needed to help build up cartilage. It is a component of connective tissue, cartilage, and joint fluid. Chondroitin sulphate is the most important glycosaminoglycan, which is found in the joints, tendons, ligaments, skin, and blood vessels. It acts like a sponge and promotes water retention and therefore elasticity in cartilage. When combined, glucosamine and chondroitin can reduce joint damage and promote healthy cartilage structure. [4] 

Sources 
[1] https://www.tiermedizinportal.de/magazin/gelenkschmerzen-beim-hund/412941 
[2] https://www.tierklinik-oberhaching.de/blog/arthrose-gelenkverschleiss-beim-hund/ 
[3] https://www.tiermedizinportal.de/magazin/gelenkschmerzen-beim-hund/412941 
[4] https://dkoch.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Artikel_Knorpelschutzpraparate_d.pdf