Question:When my boyfriend and i went to petco to look at puppy items a lady suggested glucosamine. Since she is a large breed dog (Chocolate lab and german shorthair with some mastif), we kind of looked at her funny, and decided not to get it just yet and that we'd talk to our vet. What is everyone's opinions about giving this to your puppy? Yes or no? and at what age? She's only 8 weeks.
Answers:
Glucosamine doesn't work for people or dogs. Get your pup on a premium large breed puppy food. What you feed her now will effect her health her entire life. Don't scrimp.
The lady at the petstore here, she breeds shepherds, she said she recommends Glucosamine, as a preventative.. Not only does it help to stop them from getting hurt as easily but it would help them heal quicker.. I don't know about that, but she seems to think that it works.
Edit: Oh come on, lots of pet foods have Chrondritin and Glucosamine right in the bag now.. Never heard of it for animals??
no never give any supplements to a pet without consulting the vet first you never know what damage you could cause also as glucosamine is mainly used used for joint care i think she is a bit young yet.
ask the vet first.
The thing you should check with any large breed before you purchase; is that the pup doesn't have any hip displasure problems.Big animals are suseptible to this, which can cause serious problems later on.I have never heard of giving an animal Glucosamine.I certainly wouldn't give it to a young animal anyway.Your vet will advise.I think it is just another gimmick to get you spend money.For a dog such as yours-good food, and Bone-Gro powder should be sufficient. I have 3 dogs, one of which is 10 and does get Arthritis. But I haven't found any herbal product that works for her.I just have to love her and keep her warm. Good Luck!
Start your puppy on a large breed puppy food, I suggest
-Royal Canin
-Solid Gold
-Nutro Natural Choice / Ultra
Petco sells more higher quality foods than their competitors. There are other foods they carry that are pretty good as well but are more expensive. Glucosamine is good for the hips and joints Chondrotin delivers the glucosamine to those areas faster (if i'm not mistaken). If you get one of these three foods, you will not go wrong. FWIW, regular royal cannin has not been on any dog food recall, ever. The Vet will probably tell you to use Science Diet. They get money for pushing the Science Diet products and carrying the vet food.
I would probably not use anything like this when your puppy is young. I started my dog on it when she was about 11 years old and began to slow down a little. In about 3 weeks she was a young dog again. She is 18 now and it is still making a huge difference in her mobility. My vet would not probably recommend it since he wants me to purchase the more expensive prescription medicines from him but the glucosamine is a winner as far as I am concerned.
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