One of the downsides of having a pet is seeing them age. Most dogs suffer from joint issues as they get older (and some younger dogs do too), and it’s tough watching them struggle with their mobility.
But don’t despair — there’s a simple dietary ingredient that can improve the health of your dog’s cartilage and reduce joint pain.
That’s collagen, a protein essential for all connective tissue — and we’re going to find out how it can help your pet in this article.
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein found in humans and animals and is present in the cartilage, bones, skin, tendons and connective tissue.
It plays a range of essential roles in the body (whether the body is human or canine), including providing structural support and repairing and maintaining tissue.
As your dog ages, their body’s ability to produce collagen becomes impaired, and it’s not so easy to heal and repair itself.
This can mean they are more susceptible to joint pain, which can stop them from doing all those doggy things they love — walking, running, jumping and generally living life to the full.
What are its health benefits?
There are actually lots of different types of collagen — and it’s important to know which ones are more likely to benefit your dog.
Research into collagen hydrolysates (smaller particles of collagen that are easier to digest) from fish and cows has found that they can reduce joint pain in dogs by improving cartilage health (1).
The study assessed dogs with osteoarthritis and found that agility and mobility improved, muscle mass increased and pain levels decreased after collagen was added to the subjects’ diet.
This is great news for anyone who has a dog with osteoarthritis, especially if you’ve been relying on NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which can cause liver and kidney damage as a side effect.
The study pointed out that collagen is non-toxic, so there was no fear of any of the dogs involved suffering side effects.
It also highlighted that the diet rich in fatty acids and vitamins that the control group was given could have contributed to the improvement in the dogs’ health.
This is also good news as it shows that simply offering your dog foods like fish and grass-fed beef products that are abundant in these ingredients could really improve their health.
How can I give collagen to my dog?
To harness the benefits described in the study, you need to source type II collagen, which is found in animal cartilage, specifically cows, chickens and fish.
And it’s actually really simple to access this amazing source of nutrition.
One easy way is to introduce bone broth into your dog’s diet. It’s made by simmering animal bones and tissue for a long period over low heat. This releases all kinds of nutrients, including collagen, and makes a delicious, versatile and hypoallergenic dog food.
You can make bone broth at home yourself (check out our recipe) or, for convenience, buy it ready-made from the Gully Road range.
Natural fish dog treats with the skin on are another great source of collagen. What’s more, your dog will also benefit from the vitamins in fish, principally vitamin D, and even omega-3 fatty acids.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the Gully Road range. Tempt your doggo with Salmon Skin Jerky, Chewy Skin Scrolls, whole Stinkin’ Sardines or Queenfish Tails.
And because all our products are sourced from Australian farms and small businesses, from sustainable grass-fed beef and other natural ingredients, you can rely on their traceability, quality and goodness. How’s that for an added benefit?
Adding a spring to your pooch’s step
If your faithful friend is showing signs of ageing or has been diagnosed with a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis, it’s good to know that there are safe and natural sources of collagen that can help restore their vitality.
You can also offer collagen-rich items from the Gully Road range of dog food products to younger dogs — it’s a simple way to maintain their good health and help safeguard against mobility issues in the future.
Our mission is to enhance the lives of all dogs — young and old — in the most natural way possible. So check out our sustainable, natural products to add a spring to your pooch’s step!
Reference
1. Eckert T, Jährling-Butkus M, Louton H, Burg-Roderfeld M, Zhang R, Zhang N, Hesse K, Petridis A, Kožár T, Steinmeyer J, Schauer R, Engelhard P, Kozarova A, Hudson J, Siebert H. ‘Efficacy of Chondroprotective Food Supplements Based on Collagen Hydrolysate and Compounds Isolated from Marine Organisms,’ Marine Drugs, 2021 Sep 26;19(10):542. doi: 10.3390/md19100542.
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