Just as humans can experience inflammation in their joints, your dog’s joints may also swell due to arthritis, allergic reactions or injuries. Luckily, there are many common foods and natural herbs with anti-inflammatory properties that you can give your dog to help ease their discomfort. You might even find that you already have several of these foods in your kitchen!
Sweet Potatoes: This delicious vegetable is not only a great way to add some flavor to your dog’s dish, but also provides many beneficial nutrients. Sweet potatoes are low in fat, but high in the antioxidant beta carotene, which is helpful for fighting inflammation. They also contain many essential vitamins, like vitamin C, and a good amount of dietary fiber to support your dog’s digestive health.
Sweet potatoes may be given to your dog in moderation. It is best to avoid serving them raw as it can be harder for your dog to digest. We recommend steaming or boiling them to retain more of the nutrients, however you’ll want to slowly introduce them into your dog’s diet so they can adjust to the fiber increase.
Turmeric: This earthy spice is one of our favorites because it contains the nutrient curcumin which is a powerful anti-inflammatory! It also contains an abundance of antioxidants which help balance free radicals in the body and support your dog’s health. To administer, simply sprinkle some into your dog’s food during their next meal!
*Turmeric is also an ingredient in ActivPhy.
Ginger: This powerful root is not only a great medicinal herb for humans but it has also been used for animals for numerous years. Like turmeric, it is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help to reduce inflamed joints, thereby helping your dog move around with more ease. Ginger is also known to help aid with an upset stomach or nausea.
You can administer ginger to your dog in the form of a ground powder, capsules or even as a tea. It is recommended to consult your vet to ensure you are giving the appropriate amount.
Fish Oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is another natural anti-inflammatory. As an added bonus it also helps keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. You can find the appropriate tablets to give your dog at your local pet store.
Tip: Adding vitamin E to your dog’s diet can help absorb the fish oil more efficiently!
Coconut Oil: This oil is wonderful for dogs for so many reasons! In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil may also be used to increase energy levels, aid digestion, promote healing, and improve the skin and coat along with many other benefits. Before you introduce this into your dog’s diet we recommend consulting your vet.
Tip: It is best to use Virgin or Extra Virgin coconut oil because it retains more nutrients than refined coconut oil. Additionally, it is recommended to alternate between giving your dog coconut oil and Omega-3 oils so they receive all the essential fatty acids they need.
Blueberries: This fruit is a sweet treat most dogs love! It is also a good source of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. You can give them to your dog fresh or frozen, but like all treats it should be given in moderation.
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If your dog is experiencing joint discomfort, it is certainly worth a shot adding some anti-inflammatory foods to their diet, however we recommend consulting with your vet first.
If you’re looking for other ways to improve your dog’s mobility consider treating your dog with a complete joint supplement, like ActivPhy. ActivPhy comes in the form of a tasty soft chew that your dog will love, which is why we offer a 100% taste guarantee!
The combination of ingredients used in ActivPhy provide maximum effectiveness for joint support. In addition to Glucosamine and MSM found in traditional joint supplements, ActivPhy adds Turmeric, Flaxseed Oil (omega 3’s) and Creatine. It is also the only over-the-counter joint supplement to use a patented method with Blue Green Algae Extract that supports the body’s normal anti-inflammatory response while providing antioxidants.
Learn more about ActivPhy and our active ingredients here.