Best Mobility Supplements in Large Dogs

The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.

Mobility and joint health are extremely important topics when it comes to large dogs, especially as our large breed pups age. It is sad to watch our friends’ mobility decrease and all good pet parents want to do anything necessary to keep our pets pain free and healthy. Conventional veterinary medicine has many painkillers and chemical anti-inflammatories available, and while this relief can be very important, holistically we can heal the musculoskeletal systems and underlying causes. Have you ever wondered what the best mobility supplements for your large dog are?

I have used many modalities to heal thousands of my canine patients over the years.
These treatments include herbs, homeopathies, nutritional supplements, essential oils, flower essences, physical therapies, chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture, among others. Here, I have narrowed it down to the

5 Best Mobility Supplements for Large Breed Dogs.

When it comes to joint and muscle health, sometimes signs come on quickly, while other times they appear gradually over time. You may notice:

Limping or lameness
Reluctance or hesitation to jump onto or off of higher surfaces
Irritability
Resistance to petting, grooming, or being touched
Shorter strides or “pogo-ing” (moving both back legs as one)
Muscle tremors, shaking, twitching when being petted
Weakness, wobbliness, falling, tripping
Decreased endurance on walks
Unusual accidents in the house
Panting, whining, groaning
Inability to stand while eating and/or sit when asked

Mobility and musculoskeletal health can decline from many causes. I have found that the majority of musculoskeletal health issues are caused by the following factors:

Nutritional deficiencies
Weak and atrophied muscles
Injury compensation
Overwhelming Inflammation
Being Overweight
Inadequate exercise

As a holistic veterinarian, my approach to healing mobility issues focuses on:

Reducing inflammation
Exercise restrictions
Supplying collagen and proteins to heal muscles and joints
Preventing continued joint damage

1. Best Herbal Remedies for Mobility and Joint Support in Large Breed Dogs

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to protect and heal joints. I often use various herbs to treat arthritis and other musculoskeletal issues. I commonly recommend anti-inflammatory herbs such as Yucca, Sarsaparilla, Boswellia, and Milk Thistle depending on the age and lifestyle of the patient. Herbal remedies are extremely effective at healing the musculoskeletal system and out of these herbal options, Milk Thistle is a “must-have” when treating decreased mobility. It works by removing large amounts of built-up inflammation. I often recommend this awesome herb in combination with CBD oil.

2. Best CBD Oil for Mobility and Joint Support in German Shepherds and Other Large Dogs

The hemp plant naturally contains CBD, an active phytochemical. CBD stands for Cannabidiol. The amount of research that proves the many health benefits of CBD is growing every year. Hemp has been used for various medicinal qualities. In my experience, large breed dogs can achieve substantial musculoskeletal support with the right CBD product.

Cannabinoids reduce inflammation, relieve pain, calm nerves, and promote restful sleep in pets. All these properties make CBD an excellent match for the natural support of your dog’s joints. My patients experience increased comfort within 20-30 minutes. There are hundreds of CBD products on the market right now. Experience has taught me that the most effective supplements are full plant extracts – and NOT CBD isolates. A full hemp extract includes a small amount of THC. Legally, this is less than 0.3% THC. We find that the tiny amount of THC does not get pets “high” or alter their mental status and creates a better response to control pain, decrease inflammation, and reduce anxiety. You can buy my favorite brand online HERE.

Best CBD Oil for Mobility and Joint Support. For small dogs and cats.

Best CBD Oil for Mobility and Joint Support. For large dogs.

3. Best Nutritional Therapy for Joint Support in Large Breed Dogs

I personally love nutrition to promote healing in my patients. Food can contribute toward healing, or it can contribute to disease. In the case of mobility and musculoskeletal health, my focus would be clean, minimally processed animal proteins. Complimentary foods would be any type of connective tissue within the musculoskeletal system, such as bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, collagen, or keratin.

But out of every type of food we can use to support mobility and joint health, my recommendation would be bone broth. Bone broth is trendy right now in human healing and its applications mirror similar health issues in our pets.

Bone broth is a low and slow-cooked food and has been used for nourishment and healing since ancient times. Broths are easy to add to a meal and provide important proteins in an easy-to-absorb solution. My choice for a convenient, ready-made remedy is Nature’s Logic Beef Bone Broth.

4. Best Nutritional Supplements Joints in Large Dogs

In this therapy category, we have everything from simple vitamins or proteins to complex recipes and combinations. The market is flooded with nutritional supplements but, in my experience, only a handful are effective. To read more about synthetic vs. natural supplements click here.

In these large breed dog cases, my go-to is Standard Process Ligaplex II. Ligaplex is an incredible remedy made by Standard Process. This supplement uses plants and herbs to reduce inflammation and superfood extracts to boost healing. Many of these superfoods are grown on their own organic farm and can be harvested at the exact best growth phase. Some ingredients are juiced immediately or dehydrated. Ligaplex quickly stimulates healing and repair and supplies majorly important trace minerals such as manganese. Manganese is depleted in industrial fields due to over-farming. Manganese has been shown to be a force of healing when it comes to damaged ligaments and tendons. All my torn cruciate ligament patients benefit from this powerful nutritional supplement.

I have seen some incredible improvement with this supplement in improving mobility all day, especially for large dogs. Standard Process supplements are only available thru approved health care practitioners. I am able to provide pet parents easy access to these amazing supplements without any exams or consultations!

Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal Support

5. Low Level Laser Therapy for Mobility and Joint Support in German Shepherds, Great Danes and Other Large Breed Dogs

Low-Level Laser Therapy is also sometimes referred to as “cold laser therapy”. The basis of healing in this modality is phototherapy. Biophotomanipulation is the use of light waves to stimulate healing in your pets’ tissues. The type of laser that I use to get an incredible healing response uses 3 different types of light waves; Infrared, Far-infrared and visible red light. This fancy-looking technology is surprisingly safe and simple to use. I teach my clients how to administer this therapy in their homes. Honestly, we see remarkable healing in 2-4 weeks. The model of low-level laser that I use and recommend is unique in the perfect combination of 3 varying wavelengths (330, 600, 900) and a static magnetic field. This powerful medical device stimulates healing by:

Giving cells energy
Bringing in blood flow with oxygen and nutrients
Clearing inflammation and toxins
Stimulation the release of endorphins

You can read more about this interesting technology in my other articles:

Families of pets that can benefit from effective, non-invasive musculoskeletal support can buy the best cold laser on the market directly from Dr. Candy HERE.

BONUS TIP: Best Homeopathic Remedies for Mobility and Joint Support in German Shepherds, Great Danes and Other Large Breed Dogs

Homeopathic remedies are some of the safest treatments to add to your pet’s health regimen. Homeopathic remedies are extremely dilute amounts of a substance to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanism. Some of the remedies that I use include, Arnica, Calendula, Aconitum and Rhus. Tox. My two most frequently recommended remedies are called Homeopet’s Joint Stress and Heel’s T-Relief.

We see the best results when families take a multi-angle approach to increasing mobility and supporting joints in large-breed dogs. Just like humans, dogs are all unique and will respond to different products.

Take a moment to share this article with your family and friends. Also if you need a complete holistic nutrition plan to manage your pet’s mobility and joint pain on a daily basis, head on over to our online nutritional consultations. One of the most common issues that I deal with is joint and mobility issues and I know how to help your pet using holistic medicine and appropriately selected food.

Sending you all peace,

~ Dr. Candy

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Best Mobility Supplements for German Shepherds, Great Danes and Other Large Breed Dogs: A Holistic Veterinarian’s Guide