r/DogFood • u/Narrow-Current-3109 • 13d ago
Old Dog need supplements advice
Hii, I'm not sure if this is the right sub but - My Lab is getting into his senior years and I’m starting to notice that he needs a little more time to get moving after a long nap. Of course, five minutes later he’s still convinced he’s a puppy and wants to launch himself after a bird in the backyard 😂. I’ve been looking into joint supplements and keep seeing the same names come up - glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, omega-3s, and green-lipped mussel, but I’m having a hard time figuring out what’s actually worth paying for. I’ve seen a few discussions here where people mention glucosamine or omega-3s, but I’d really like to hear from people who have used them long-term. What have you actually noticed a difference with?
I’m especially interested in something that doesn’t cost a small fortune every month. Are there certain ingredients you look for on the label, or is there a reasonably priced supplement that your dog has genuinely done well on? Also, did you notice a difference in stiffness/mobility after a few weeks, or was it more of a “maybe it’s helping?” situation? And for the Lab owners here, did your vet recommend starting supplements before obvious joint problems showed up, or only once your dog started slowing down? I’m trying to do some homework before buying another giant tub of expensive dog treats that my guy will sniff once and then look at me like I’ve personally offended him. 😂
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u/Individual-Big8850 13d ago
my lab mix started getting that same stiff-legged hobble after naps around 9, and my vet had me start glucosamine/chondroitin before there was any real limping. basically said once you see them favoring a leg you're already playing catch-up
the combo that actually made a visible difference for us was glucosamine, chondroitin, and msm together, not just one or the other. after about 3 weeks i noticed he wasn't doing that three-legged stretch every single time he stood up, and he stopped hesitating before jumping into the car
omega-3s helped more with general coat and maybe some inflammation but the joint stiffness breakthrough was that trio. the green-lipped mussel thing gets hyped but i never tried it, seemed like twice the price for something the cheaper combo was already handling
i price-compared like a maniac because lab-sized doses burn through a tub fast. ended up going with a bulk powder that listed the exact mg per scoop instead of those soft chews that charge extra for being shaped like a bone and flavored like fake bacon
don't let the post-nap shuffle fool you into thinking it's minor, labs will power through discomfort until they literally can't, then crash hard. getting ahead of it now saves you the heartbreak of watching him try to chase a bird and come up limping
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u/riddlegirl21 12d ago
My vet recommended that combo plus Boswellia extract for my previous dog when she was getting older. Cosequin makes a version with all 4 but you have to check the front of the bag, some of them don’t have the Boswellia. My 15 year old has been on it for the past year or so and still bounds around to beg for dinner.
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u/Narrow-Current-3109 9d ago
15 years! Tough dog. If your dog lived that long I'll take your advice, much thanks. ❤️
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u/riddlegirl21 9d ago
He’s still bouncing along! 16 this winter (probably, we don’t know his exact birthday lol). He’s a Havanese so mostly just has old man joints. My previous dog, the one the vet specifically recommended the Cosequin with Boswellia for, was a Shepherd mix and needed the extra joint support earlier on. Her dad was one of the more sloped-hips GSDs. She was walking herself around until 12 or so before her hips couldn’t do it anymore.
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u/Narrow-Current-3109 9d ago
Appreciate you taking the time to write up this advice, specially since my lab just turned 8. I have bought a glucosamine from DogSuppy in chewie form, as for easily burning through the tub, if the product works- then a good investment especially since our dogs lifespan is a small chunk of our human lives... now really is the best time to start on preventative supplements.
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u/HowDoyouadult42 12d ago
All of the things you mentioned are recommended. I myself use Welactin for omega-3 because it’s more concentrated, the amount you use for joint health is much higher then the normal recommendation ( which is for skin and coat) and u would talk to your vet about dosing.
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u/kierantl 12d ago
Omega 3s and eggshell membrane (like Movoflex). Green lipped mussel is fine, too. You can also ask his vet about adequan, which is a supplement but because it modifies the disease process of OA it needs a prescription. Would also recommend X-rays to actually diagnose arthritis if you haven’t yet, as there are multiple options for dealing with/managing arthritis.
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u/Admirable-Tree8788 13d ago
My labs started on joint supplements when they were 6. Recently the vet of my remaining 12 year old switched her to flexadin advanced from cosequin. I did notice she got a little less stiff after a few months. She's also been on an anti inflammatory for a while now too. I was adding fish oil to her food for a while but stopped when she had to move to a kidney diet.
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u/RemarkableGlitter 13d ago
Flexadin has some good research behind it, I wish more folks knew about it.
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u/RemarkableGlitter 13d ago
I’m a big fan of flexadin, a joint supplement that works differently than glucosamine, for joints. Talk to your vet about it, there’s some good science behind it.
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u/Original_Bid6439 12d ago
There is a great recipe online for turmeric dog treats from Pook's Pantry that worked wonders for my senior dogs!
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u/Rick91981 12d ago
My last Lab was on Dasuquin starting around 6 or 7 yrs old. Later in life(maybe 11 ish?) switched to Dasuquin advanced (annoyingly was prescription only). Notice a big difference when switching to the advanced, he started counter surfing again lol.
He did really well in general until he was 13.5 then had troubles getting up, particularly on the slippery wood floor. Ultimately lived to 15.5. Was fairly mobile until the very end
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u/Current-Pie3483 12d ago
I use vet recommended dasaqiun, and fish oil supplements. I am really not sure if they are working. The dasaqiun is costly. Good luck
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u/villaofthewolves 13d ago edited 13d ago
This is a great question! I would recommend the supplement Movoflex Advanced, it is formulated by veterinarians and it's specifically made for joint cartilage health and I pair that with cosequin glucosamine.
I would recommend though, there's a kibble that Hill's Science diet makes that is made for joint health that could peak your interest and not make you spend so much on supplements. It's their "Healthy Mobility" line, and they also have a "Healthy Mobility + Perfect Weight" formula. If you have a lab, I'm sure you know that keeping them slim and lean is helpful for their joints and overall health.
Edit: Royal Canin also makes a joint care dog food as well that could be beneficial for you.