Published: August 2020 | Updated: March 2023
There's probably a lot of you out there who are feeding your dogs hip and joint supplements. According to the American Kennel Club, glucosamine is the #1 supplement given to dogs, with fish oil (for omega-3 fatty acids) a close second.
But in a marketplace flooded with dog joint supplements, how do you know which ones are actually going to help your dog (and be worth the dent in your bank account)?
If you’re interested in a better solution, one closer to nature, and one more effective, this article is for you.
The Need for Hip and Joint Supplements for Dogs
If you’re currently feeding your dog a joint supplement, you’re on the right track, given that a minimum of 20% of adult dogs and as many as 80% of senior dogs suffer from osteoarthritis.
And that's only arthritis.
There are many more joint diseases in dogs, such as hip dysplasia, which could affect up to 50% of dogs depending on breed, and the general category of "suboptimal joint function," which includes stiffness, lameness, and a lack of flexibility.
Try to count the number of dogs that struggle with one of those generic problems? Good luck.
Nature’s Solution
Ok, so feeding a joint supplement is a good idea, but here's what is tricky: Most common dog joint supplements contain synthetic versions of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM.
This means that they come from a laboratory. Yuck.
There's enough research and media coverage out there these days for you to know that "food" products that are made in a lab with chemicals are not real food. And they are certainly not beneficial for your dog’s long-term health.
Enter Rocket Animal Health’s solution. Natural eggshell membrane (NEM) is a 100% natural source of all the joint-supportive nutrients in one simple ingredient.
What is Eggshell Membrane Made Of?
If you’ve ever peeled a hard-boiled egg, you’ve seen an eggshell membrane. It’s the clear, white-ish film that separates the egg white from the eggshell. You’ve probably tried to peel it off along with the shell, only to have to peel the shell, then the membrane after.
Natural eggshell membrane contains collagen, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. Pretty impressive for the thin layer that is normally trashed when peeling an egg, right?
Research has shown very promising results for the use of NEM in dogs. A study in dogs with mild to moderate suboptimal joint function found that NEM supplementation once a day significantly reduced joint pain and improved mobility within 1 week! And the effects were long-lasting, leading to a higher quality of life for the dogs.
Another NEM study in humans experiencing pain due to some kind of joint or connective tissue disorder found similar results. Subjects receiving NEM had significantly improved range-of-motion, flexibility, and significantly less pain in less than 30 days. That's remarkable!
Eggshell membrane also contains a lot of vitamin C and protein, which helps boost your dog’s immune system. This means that they will be less likely to get sick when exposed to viruses and bacteria.
Is Natural Eggshell Membrane Safe?
Yes. Eggshell membranes have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat joint pain, muscle aches, and swelling.
Because this is a naturally occurring substance, there are no known side effects. There are very few dog supplements on the market that can make this statement with such certainty.
In addition, dogs have been stealing and eating raw birds’ eggs for millions of years, shell included. In other words, dogs’ digestive systems know what to do with an egg membrane from an evolutionary perspective, unlike the “food” that is made in a lab.
And, if you’re a raw feeder, you’re probably including whole eggs in your dog’s food anyway, so you know your dog tolerates it well.
It makes sense that foods naturally created by nature would be more beneficial than those humans have made themselves in a lab. Were we, or our dogs, meant to eat fake foods?
The Best Joint Supplement for Dogs
We designed Canine Cush with your dog’s joint health and overall wellbeing in mind. We were confused and frustrated by the lack of quality options on the market, so we took matters into our own hands! We wanted to develop something that you could feel good about providing… something that actually helps without adverse effects.
Not only does Canine Cush contain high concentrations of natural eggshell membrane to support flexibility, range-of-motion, and overall hip and joint function, but it also contains other extremely powerful “feel-good” active ingredients and anti-inflammatories, like hemp extract and turmeric, that we dive deeper into in other blogs!
In the meantime, check out what Canine Cush did for William’s dog:
“My 12 year old lab was suffering from arthritis and has a metal plate holding one knee together from a surgery 6 years ago. She was unsteady in her back legs and would fall down. We were very worried about her as she seemed to have become so depressed. After a few days of Cush chews Bailey is walking so much better and no longer seems depressed. Thank you for giving us back our sweet Bailey.”
Another dog, named Sid, had a similar experience:
“Meet Sid! Sid has arthritis in all four legs and has a history of being a little bit of a couch potato. Canine Cush literally has him playing with his toys and acting like a pup again. We give it to all 3 of our pups now.”
This is why we do what we do. Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than hearing how effective supplements can improve a dog’s quality of life to this degree. You can read more testimonials just like these here.
Read More:
Effectiveness of NEM® brand eggshell membrane in the treatment of suboptimal joint function in dogs
Eggshell membrane: A possible new natural therapeutic for joint and connective tissue disorders