Senior dog foods/supplements. Opinions/Recommendations

[jessquoi]

i have an almost 10 years young springer spaniel bitch who has been showing her age over the past few months seeming a little stiff but not uncomfortable although she has had episodes where she seems in pain for which we've had something to alleviate stiffness from vets. Just wondered if people used a more 'natural' daily supplement or are advocates of 'senior' foods or are they just a gimmick? just want something to help her through her twilight years free of as much discomfort as poss! havent done much research as yet, planning to trawl the net tonight but any personal experiences would help!
thanks in advance

 

[ottodyl1]

I have a springer/lab with hip dysplasia. He is a rescue & only 3. When we got him at 14 months, he kept going lame & we found out about the dysplasia via xray. He was on anti-inflammatories for a year & I also gave him a glucosamine/chondroitin sulphate supplement called Flexadin (manufactured by Vetoquinol & cheaper than a lot of others) along with Waltham mobility tablets, which have green-lipped mussel in them. We stopped the anti-inflammatories a year ago & he just now has Flexadin & Mobility. We have had no problems with lameness, even though he's a very bouncy, lively dog. Some of this is due to the fact he has strengthened up a lot but it's definitely worth trying on an older dog. Hydrotherapy was also a great help initially & would probably also help your dog as it would take the weight off her joints while exercising.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Try a Bioflow Magnetic collar - see the other post about them. My aunt puts them on all her setters as they get older and swears by them. The sheepdog here at the farm also has one - cut his leg open years ago when he jumped barbed wire so had it on then to help. Earlier this year(he is 12 now) he was diagnosed with bad arthritis in both hips - the vet was surprised he was so mobile but maybe his collar has helped all that time. Anyway is still pinging sround like a puppy with his collar on - just has daily ant inflammatories as well now.

 

[Ginger_Thing]

My 12 year old collie x retriever is on Chudley's Senior food. Although he's not arthritic his back legs have been a bit trembly recently so I've started him on Devil's Claw capsules (human ones from Holland & Barratt!) - they do seem to have improved. He also enjoys a massage from time to time and loves swimming.

 

[Puppy]

I put my old girl on Cortaflex when she started getting stiff. It made the world of difference to her - she was even able to bounce into the car again

 

[jessquoi]

are you using supplements alongside a senior food or just with a normal one? i was thinking a chondroitin/glucosamine one would be best but wondered about an oil of some sort. thanks for the replys guys.

 

[competitiondiva]

My rising 9 year old lab x was diagnosed with mild hip displasia and arthritis a year ago, she's now on autarky senior/light food which seems to suit her and not over priced. She's also on cod liver oil tablets (human kind as same stuff as canine type but cheaper!!) and she's down to half a pain killer daily, she has a magnetic wrap that she will sleep at night in when she is a bit stiff (after a heavy walk!) remember magnets should only be used for I believe a maximum of 12hours a day otherwise they lose their effectiveness. She won't/can't go out haring around with other dogs like she used to, but is fine running around by herself. she pushes herself with other dogs and doesn't know her limits!!)