It was a cold fall day when I stopped at a kennel of racing dogs. I was there to purchase a young leader, but when I walked into the kennel, my eyes locked with a dog sitting on a dog house. I just knew he was going home with me.
Tuba turned out to be eight years old, far older than the young leader I had been searching for. Many would have told me to pass him by. Luckily, I’ve never viewed age as anything but a number. I took Tuba home that day and instead of letting his age stop us, I simply gave him the best of everything—including top-quality joint support supplements.
Tuba went on to have many adventures with me, including a Midnight Run completion. Being fit and having excellent genetics were certainly on his side, but even with that good fortune his longevity wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of preventive wellness care. When I got Tuba, I never expected to own him for over half his life span: that he would go from lead dog of a racing team to helping me haul a Thule baby stroller through 5K canicross races.
Tuba loved to stay active, and he did. Well into his teens, he enjoyed hiking and running. In his final two years, he still took daily walks, keeping a brisk pace that put many young dogs to shame. As a veterinarian, I often think of Tuba as a lesson in why preventive care matters so much. Areas I focus on include yearly dentals, since poor oral health and gums inflamed by periodontal disease can impact the health of the entire body. In fact, for older dogs, many chronic conditions of aging have an inflammatory component.
What Is Inflammation in Dogs?
Inflammation is part of the normal immune response to injuries or infections. It plays a role in healing tissue after injury or surgery. However, if inflammation goes on too long, it can start to cause problems.
A common example is cruciate ligament disease. Chronic inflammation in the affected joint eventually contributes to joint degeneration if the joint isn’t stabilized. In other cases, like autoimmune diseases, inflammation itself can be damaging. One of the most common causes of chronic inflammation I see in dogs is osteoarthritis, where the breakdown of cartilage leads to ongoing inflammation and discomfort.
Common Causes & Types of Inflammation
- Joint issues such as arthritis or hip dysplasia
- Skin inflammation from allergies, bacteria, or yeast
- Internal inflammation affecting organs, like the pancreas or digestive tract
Genetics often play a role. For example, I’ve seen pet Pekin ducks develop severe degenerative joint disease early in life—likely due to a mix of genetics, environment, and the fact that pet ducks live longer than their farm counterparts. Similarly, in dogs, hip dysplasia can predispose them to joint degeneration.
This is why I support Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing. While often used in breeding dogs, any dog can undergo OFA screening. Catching conditions, such as hip or elbow dysplasia, early allows for intervention. Sharing results publicly also contributes to a “family tree” of canine health data, helping breeders and researchers understand disease incidence.
I like to complete initial OFA screening for my own dogs around six months of age and again at two years. For hip dysplasia, the screening is as simple as a set of radiographs.
Red-Flag Signs to Watch For
Some signs of inflammation are obvious, such as:
- Limping or stiffness
- Swelling or heat in the joints
Others are more subtle:
- Reluctance to play or exercise
- Hesitation to jump on furniture
- Licking or chewing at paws or joints
In older dogs, I often see them lick persistently at a painful joint. When I notice red-stained fur from saliva, that’s a big red flag to investigate further.
And of course, not all joint pain is arthritis. For example, here in Wisconsin, I always like to run a tick-borne disease panel for dogs with sudden lameness. Over the years, I’ve diagnosed more than one “mystery limp” as a tick-related illness.
Conventional Treatment Options
We are fortunate to have many treatments available for dogs with inflammatory conditions. Modern non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have fewer side effects than older medications. Joint injections can provide targeted relief without systemic impact.
For more on a newer injectable therapy, DVM360 has a helpful article: Targeted injectable therapy for canine elbow osteoarthritis.
Your veterinarian can help you decide which combination of treatments is best for your dog. That said, I believe a holistic approach—blending conventional medicine with diet and supplements—offers the greatest benefit.
Dietary Foundations
Weight control and balanced nutrition are critical in the treatment of arthritis. Adding omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, to a dog’s diet may help ease inflammation. Just as I’ve seen with the Pekin ducks I mentioned earlier, excess weight in dogs increases the risk of joint problems, and once mobility is reduced, it becomes even harder to keep weight off. This creates a vicious cycle: less mobility → more weight → worsening joint pain.
In some cases, I refer dogs with osteoarthritis to physical therapy, especially for water treadmill therapy, which builds strength while limiting stress on joints. And, in my opinion, for overweight pets almost every plan for mobility issues should include a weight management diet. An excellent article on arthritis with additional information can be found at Veterinary Information Network: Arthritis in Dogs and Cats: What Can be Done?
7 Natural Anti-Inflammatory Options
Important: Always discuss new dog supplements with your veterinarian before starting them. Natural does not always mean safe for your pet. A vet can ensure your pet has no health conditions or medications that would conflict with supplements.
That said, here are seven ingredients I look for in high-quality joint support products. (One product I trust for my own dogs is Happy Paws Hip and Joint Dog Chews.)
- Turmeric (Curcumin): A natural ingredient that supports a healthy inflammatory response. Often paired with black pepper to improve absorption.
- Boswellia Serrata: Sometimes used to help maintain joint comfort. May not be suitable for all dogs, so check with your veterinarian before use.
- Omega-3 Fish Oil: Helps support skin, coat, and joint health. Commonly added as a supplement or provided through diets rich in fish such as salmon.
- Green-Lipped Mussel & Collagen: Provide building blocks that help support healthy cartilage and joint function.
- Devil’s Claw & Yucca Root: Herbal ingredients sometimes included in joint blends to support mobility.
- Ginger & Bromelain: Commonly used to support digestion and a normal inflammatory response.
- Glucosamine & Chondroitin: Widely researched joint-support ingredients that help maintain cartilage health and joint function. Often combined with other supportive nutrients and may be most effective when started early.
Final Takeaway
If there’s one message I hope you carry from this, it’s that being proactive with inflammation pays off. Whether it’s periodontal disease or arthritis, damage is hard to reverse once it sets in. Supplements and preventive care work best when started early and given consistently.
I firmly believe it wasn’t chance that Tuba enjoyed so many years of running and adventure. It was prevention, consistency, and giving his body the support it needed. Every dog deserves that chance.
