There are plenty of good reasons to explore joint support for your dog. If he’s aging, he’ll certainly need it – likewise if he’s had an injury. But even if your dog is still relatively young, it’s a good idea to talk to a holistic vet about what you can do to support good joint health over his lifetime.

There are a variety of holistic options for treatment and support that don’t carry the risks sometimes associated with conventional choices (such as drugs or surgery).

Good nutrition, right from the start of a dog’s life, is as integral to joint health as it is to overall wellness. A diet that has appropriate levels of protein, and modest fat and carbohydrate content is important, but so too are the other ingredients in the food – and whether your dog can digest them effectively. The ingredients we include in Sojos raw dog food are carefully chosen to support all aspects of a dog’s health – and because it’s raw, the nutrients are naturally-occurring and bioavailable, ensuring your dog’s system can absorb them efficiently.

Supplements can also be used in a variety of ways to support joint health. Because each dog’s body and lifestyle is different, it’s important to consult a holistic vet to determine when and whether to supplement, and what the right supplement choices for your dog might be. Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, bromelain and boswellia might be some of the recommended options, depending on whether the goal is to inhibit cartilage breakdown, stimulate cartilage growth, reduce inflammation and/or provide pain relief. Whole Food supplements, like options from Prozyme and The Missing Link, include an array of nutrients for a multifaceted approach in just one supplement.

Therapies like massage and acupuncture are also options to bring comfort to your dog and stimulate his nerves and muscles. It can also increase circulation, bringing more oxygen to muscles and joints to slow degeneration.

Of course, an active lifestyle will also be an asset to supporting overall wellness. That daily walk can be a fun bonding time for you both – but it’ll also help to make you both healthier.