Feeding Your Senior Dog
Joint Health & Nutrition: How Diet Can Help Your Dog
Glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3.
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Joint Problems and Nutrition
How Diet Can Help
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA, DHA) Anti-inflammatory. Best source: fish oil. General supplementation: about 20–55 mg EPA+DHA / kg body weight / day; for arthritis your veterinarian may set about 50–100 mg / kg. NRC (2006) safe upper limit: about 370 mg EPA+DHA / kg body weight^0.75 / day. On anticoagulants or NSAID pain relievers, give fish oil only after consulting your veterinarian.
2. Glucosamine, Chondroitin Support cartilage health.
3. Weight Management Every extra kilogram adds additional strain.
What to Avoid
- Foods high in omega-6
- Rapid weight gain in large breed puppies
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References
- 1.Roush JK, Cross AR, Renberg WC, et al. — Evaluation of the effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 236(1):67–73, 2010. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.236.1.67 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 2.Bhathal A, Spryszak M, Louizos C, Frankel G — Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review. Open Veterinary Journal 7(1):36–49, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v7i1.6 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 3.Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM, et al. — Five-year longitudinal study on limited food consumption and development of osteoarthritis in coxofemoral joints of dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 210(2):222–225, 1997. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9018356/ (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 4.Cline MG, Burns KM, Coe JB, et al. — 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 57(4):153–178, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7232 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
This is general information and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
This guide was compiled based on the expert input of Reka Fazekas-Birizdo canine nutritionist.
Certified Canine Nutritionist
