Looking for some help/advice on this topic. Heard from a husky owner to get my husky on joint supplements now(shes 2yrs old)instead of waiting. Thoughts?

Also read up that omega3 helps with the coat. Is it to early at 2yrs old? Suggestions on what to get? Any help would be great.

thanks!

I was not worry about the joint supplement when mine were 2yr. However, if yours has been advice due to health issues, start now rather than later.

Re coat: I use Salmon Oil (Omega 3 rich) and kelp seaweed powder.

If your dogs parents have joint problems then it's probably wise to consider a supplement.  Of my three only one is on anything ( Dasuquin with MSM from Chewy, btw )

My other two, while older, have never given me any cause to consider supplements - nor has their vet.

When it comes to joints preventative measures never hurt. Especially if you are doing serious work with your dogs such as pulling, running, or hiking long distances. When it comes to adding a fish oil Bonnie and Clyde is probably one of the best, if not the best, on the market right now. Make sure any fish oil you give has vitamin E added to it. If it doesn't make sure you are giving vitamin E as well, as fish oil depletes vitamin E. I give my dogs InClover Jump treats. They are a natural joint supplement chew. My suggestion is get on fish oil as it has many other benefits aside from just joints and assess your dog and what you are doing with your dog as to if you need to step up to something more like a specific joint supplement. Dogs who have hip dysplasia are a different bear. It shows up at 2 years old. Xrays are needed to rule if your dog has HD.

Thanks guys! Any more feedback is always welcome. I'm not too sure how her parents were. I wasn't told by anyone that she NEEDS joint supplements. Someone had just suggested that huskies are pretty notorious in it occuring so to start on them now rather than later.

Huskies are active dogs and if you are keeping up with their active needs it does wear on their joints. Arthritis is going to happen and nothing really is going to stop it but you can delay the discomfort. Unless there is something extenuating there isn't any need to start anything now. Hip Dysplasia is a genetic defect that is known in the breed and probably what the person you talked to was referring to the most, which is why it is important that all breeding pairs be OFA tested prior to breeding to see what kind of hip issues they will be passing down. If the parents were OFA tested prior to breeding then that will give you a good indication of what you will be dealing with in your pup. If the parents weren't screened then watching for unusual wear on the pads of their feet can tell you some and looking at the way that your dog sits or lays can be an indicator as well. Dogs who lay with their legs frogged out behind them often have hip issues. If you happen to be dealing with a dog who has HD or an unusual gait then starting now is wise.

I also use the jump treats. I have a 2.5 year old German Shepherd Dog (HD is more common in this breed, btw) and a 5 year old husky mix. Neither of mine display issues, but decided to go the preventive route and give the Jump treats daily. Huskies in general are a medium breed dog, and HD is not as common compared to large breed dogs. For peace of mind you can do an OFA Hip or PenHip xrays, they are valid at 2 years of age, and this way you can see if your dog could have potential issues later in life. If the breeding pair had either test I would contact the breeder and ask for the results. If you got your pup from a less than reputable breeder, then it is best to get those hips tested now. So those are some options as well. This is taken from SHCA or The Siberian Husky Club of America.................... How common is canine hip dysplasia in the Siberian Husky? From January 1994 through December 1998, a total of 12,087 Siberian Huskies have been evaluated by OFA for hip dysplasia. Out of this total, 30.5% of the dogs have received "excellent" hip ratings, and only 2.2% have been dysplastic. (Please note that radiographs showing hip dysplasia may not have been mailed to the OFA on the advice of the referring veterinarian.)

Out of the 114 breeds of dogs at risk for hip dysplasia, the Siberian Husky is one of the breeds least affected ranked at #111 out of a possible 114 based upon evaluations from 1974 through 1994. This impressive ranking has been achieved through the cooperation of breeders who followed the breeding program guidelines established by the OFA and the SHCA to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia.

The Siberian Husky has been one of the few breeds that had a dramatic decrease in the incidence of hip dysplasia from 1980 through 1995. The breed has experienced a change of + 42.1% in the number of OFA "excellent" dogs, and a - 55.6% change in the number of dysplastic dogs.

All potential puppy buyers should ask to see the OFA registry papers of both the sire and dam of the litter

In general if your pup came from a responsible breeder, that breeder will give you the results, if not get the hips tested, preventives help no matter what.