JOINT CARE |
Joint care is a complex and controversial subject. New research conclusively suggests that environment and nutrition play significant roles in joint health in addition to heredity. To what degree is the relationship to cause and effect of hereditary vs environmental/nutritional is where the controversy lies. We here at Baby Bear Bernese Kennel believe joint quality is complex and is a combination of these variables. We take the hereditary variable into account by screening the hips and elbows of each of our dogs before they are entered into our breeding program. In addition. we research the joint, hip, elbow quality of 4-5 generation of the dogs in the pedigrees. This greatly reduces the likelihood of joint issues in our puppies. The remainder of this page is in regards to the environmental and nutritional variables. You will find practical suggestions for what you as a dog owner can do to provide the best opportunity for your dogs to have healthy joints.
GROWING HEALTHY JOINTS
-Growing puppies require intentional attention to growing healthy joints. Feeding a premium large breed puppy kibble formulated specifically for large breed puppies is a must! Premium large breed puppy kibble should be formulated to avoid excessive calcium.
-Rapid growth can cause sketal disorders (like hip dysplasia) Feed your puppy the daily recommended amounts suggested by your vet or provided by the large breed puppy kibble manufacturer. The calories your puppy consumes between 3-10 months of age has been shown to have a significant impact on joint health.
- Switch to a premium adult dog food kibble at 6 months of age is recommended with large breed dogs. This helps to avoid rapid growth. These big guys take a little longer to develop then most.
- Keep your puppy at the optimal weight. Obesity can accelerate the degeneration of joints. Ideal Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is 5/9. You can learn more by checking out this link; http://petnutritionalliance.org/calculator/dog.php or by using the chart in the image below.
GROWING HEALTHY JOINTS
-Growing puppies require intentional attention to growing healthy joints. Feeding a premium large breed puppy kibble formulated specifically for large breed puppies is a must! Premium large breed puppy kibble should be formulated to avoid excessive calcium.
-Rapid growth can cause sketal disorders (like hip dysplasia) Feed your puppy the daily recommended amounts suggested by your vet or provided by the large breed puppy kibble manufacturer. The calories your puppy consumes between 3-10 months of age has been shown to have a significant impact on joint health.
- Switch to a premium adult dog food kibble at 6 months of age is recommended with large breed dogs. This helps to avoid rapid growth. These big guys take a little longer to develop then most.
- Keep your puppy at the optimal weight. Obesity can accelerate the degeneration of joints. Ideal Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is 5/9. You can learn more by checking out this link; http://petnutritionalliance.org/calculator/dog.php or by using the chart in the image below.
Finding and maintaining your dog's ideal weight can significantly extend your dog's life too! A recent 14 year study found that dogs fed to ideal body condition lived on average 1.8 years longer than their overweight litter mates. That's an extra 2 years of life and love, just for keeping your dog close to their ideal body weight!!
- Help your puppy maintain good muscle mass through exercise, but please don't over do it.
- Avoid activities where your puppy is on slippery surfaces. Avoid activities where your puppy jumps, stops or changes directions abruptly, like when throwing the ball and running and stopping and turning to fetch it. Avoid rough housing with other dogs.
- Don't take your puppy jogging (or any other repetitive motion) until they are at least 18 months old.
MAINTAINING HEALTHY JOINTS
- Feed your dog the daily recommended amounts suggested by your vet or provided by the large breed dog kibble manufacturer. Do not free feed, (do not allow your dog to eat at will, leaving large amounts out for long periods).
- Avoid activities that require your dog to jump, such as unloading from a vehicle, use a ramp or carry them while you still can.
- Feed a premium adult dog kibble. Or better yet if you can, feed your dog raw, species appropriate food. I recommend checking your choice of dog kibble food on the Dog Food Advisor site. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com
Here is another great site to compare dog foods by; http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/best-commercial-dog-food.html
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Maintain good muscle mass through exercise.
- Help your puppy maintain good muscle mass through exercise, but please don't over do it.
- Avoid activities where your puppy is on slippery surfaces. Avoid activities where your puppy jumps, stops or changes directions abruptly, like when throwing the ball and running and stopping and turning to fetch it. Avoid rough housing with other dogs.
- Don't take your puppy jogging (or any other repetitive motion) until they are at least 18 months old.
MAINTAINING HEALTHY JOINTS
- Feed your dog the daily recommended amounts suggested by your vet or provided by the large breed dog kibble manufacturer. Do not free feed, (do not allow your dog to eat at will, leaving large amounts out for long periods).
- Avoid activities that require your dog to jump, such as unloading from a vehicle, use a ramp or carry them while you still can.
- Feed a premium adult dog kibble. Or better yet if you can, feed your dog raw, species appropriate food. I recommend checking your choice of dog kibble food on the Dog Food Advisor site. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com
Here is another great site to compare dog foods by; http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/best-commercial-dog-food.html
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Maintain good muscle mass through exercise.