According to the American Kennel Club, one in five dogs in America suffers from chronic pain. Some research indicates that the number may far greater, with diagnosis made difficult by the simple fact that our canine companions are tough cookies, often disguising their discomfort causing even the most diligent owners are at a loss to misunderstand the amount of pain their pet is experiencing.

Chronic pain can affect any dog, any size, any age

The leading cause is osteoarthritis, but dogs can suffer from the same wide range of underlying causes as people, including sports injuries, accidents and genetic conditions. Large breeds are particularly susceptible, but active breeds and older dogs of all kinds and sizes can be affected. It can impact not just their mobility, but their moods, appetite and the way they interact with family members and other pets. It’s important to know all the options available to give your best friend their best life.

Supplements can help

Since osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is caused by the deterioration of soft tissue that provides a cushion between joints, dietary supplements like glucosamine with chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids are often prescribed by veterinarians to sustain healthy soft tissue. Despite the FDA’s regulations prohibiting dietary supplement companies from making therapeutic claims, historic use in humans and pets suggests that some supplements can be effective in reducing pain. 

When pain symptoms are observed in dogs – panting, lethargy, limping or trouble squatting – veterinarians often prescribe the same medications given to people, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl and Galliprant, steroids and even opioids. Since chronic pain can be lifelong, all these medications have the known potential to cause conditions such as gastro-intestinal distress, bleeding, kidney and liver disease and congestive heart failure.

One size doesn't fit all

As is increasingly true with people, veterinarians now recommend multi-modal pain management for dogs whenever possible. This consists of diet and behavioral modification – less strenuous exercise, avoiding stairs – and the use of dietary supplements like omega-3 fatty acids to reduce or eliminate the need for invasive medications. An increasing number of veterinarians use acupuncture, therapeutic massage and a range of plant-based supplements to either eliminate or delay the need for more powerful medications. Although most of these treatments are not FDA-approved for helping dogs with chronic pain, they are widely known to improve the quality of pets’ lives.

FDA approval helps, but consumer diligence is key

The FDA plays a valuable role in setting standards that protect people, pets and a wide range of animals. But they must not only evaluate millions of pages of clinical data each year, but they also inspect manufacturing facilities; conduct random product tests to ensure safety, purity and compliance; inspect thousands of imported food and medical products for conformance to US standards; and review applications for new drugs and medical devices, cosmetic products, foods and more. 

Just 18,000 FDA employees monitor nearly 20,000 FDA-approved drugs, 6,000 medical devices and 270,000 FDA-registered facilities. They also investigate hundreds of thousands of consumer reports into potentially dangerous, contaminated or non-compliant food, cosmetic, and over-the-counter healthcare products for people and animals. They supervise product introductions and recalls and publish hundreds of consumer advisories to facilitate public safety. The agency is so overburdened, consumers must be increasingly responsible for making thoughtful choices.  Here are some things you can do:

1.  Be sure product manufacturers have conducted lab and field trials to determine suggested use and its effectiveness. Some may even have conducted very rigorous and well-controlled clinical trials. The more clinical and scientific data they have to support using a product, the more likely it is to be safe and helpful.

2.  Read customer reviews to see if their stories resonate. Although makers cannot make therapeutic claims, laws protecting free speech allow customers to freely and openly discuss their experiences. 

3.  Be sure manufacturers publish lab tests. Test data may not reveal trade secrets, but should show that products are free from foreign matter, heavy metals, microbes and bacteria, pesticides and solvents or other potentially dangerous material. 

4.  Does the maker have solid, credible partners? Do they work with certified manufacturing and lab facilities? Do they have research and clinical partnerships that validate current products and guide future product roadmaps?

5. In short, buy quality products from quality companies.

Don’t be afraid to try supplements made with ingredients the FDA generally regards as safe (GRAS). To obtain this status, leaders in the food and beverage industries submit literally reams of test data for the plants and plant-derived materials they use for products we eat and drink every day. If GRAS ingredients are used, you’ve probably eaten them hundreds of times, albeit in different combinations and concentrations than a dietary supplement. 

Your pets deserve nothing but the best as they age. Consider adding dietary supplements that can help with chronic pain to dramatically improve their quality of life.

Learn More:

The Hidden Epidemic: Chronic Pain in Our Companion Animals and the Solution Ahead  https://london.vetshow.com/press-release/hidden-epidemic-chronic-pain-companion-animals-solution-ahead

How does chronic pain impact the lives of dogs: an investigation of factors that are associated with pain using the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11025458/