Sorry I'm new here( within the week) and either I'm searching for the wrong thing using search or I skim too fast and don't see it. My pup is 6 months old. Reading on here and other places glucosamine is great for joints and hips but I can't find when would be a good age to start. I don't want to start too early but then I also want to make sure my little fluffy butt is getting all the things that will help him out later on in life. Also which in your opinion is better salmon oil or fish oil?

I really don't know when is the best time to start, but I started Mya on it at 4 years old (she's going to be 7 in March). She had started limping and when I took her to the vet he said to start her on Glucosamine after examining her. Kody is 2 1/2 and I've been debating on whether to start him on it as well.

I'm interested in peoples reponses.

Koda turns 5 this year and I will be starting him on a supplement after his birthday, though he has never displayed discomfort of any sort and has good hips.

I started Kale on it when he was a year, but he has a congenital defect in his left shoulder. Glucosamine is a nutritional supplement, there's no harm in giving it. Veterinarians usually want owners to wait till 5-8 years when arthritic changes could happen. I'd consult your vet and start asking questions

Yeah depending on who I see at my vet is the big thing, Last time I was there the male vet (not too fond of him only seen him twice) was "you can give them to him but as long as he is on a good quality dog food he shouldn't need it" I'll email the lady vet (Loki loves her saw her for his shots and neutering) and see what see says. Sorry that I use male and lady vet I do know their names but don't want to anyone to think I'm blasting them or endorsing them, especially if they know them.

Always remember to express to reception which Dr you prefer, that way you will always see that Dr. it's true that younger dogs, when on a healthy diet, may not need any joint support till they are a little older. So that dr was not in the wrong. It would be like giving a 4-5 year old human child glucosamine. It's perfectly safe though.

Since our last encounter I have been requesting to see the lady doctor. She just handles Loki better and doesn't make him nervous. She can take his temp and he not howl bloody murder. Plus she gets on the floor with him and plays for a little bit, I never seen a vet do that before. That is probably why Loki likes her so much. She took really good care of him for his neutering and called us Monday just to make sure he was doing well and his stitches looked good. I've never seen a vet take that much insterested in their patients, while other then my exotic vet for my chinchilla. He cares alot too. Growing up we had several dogs and never once did I see that kinda of care from a vet.

I start Blaze on it when he was a year he seems to have problem straightening his back legs. The vet suggest it to help with it. Kerian so far hasn't had any problems with her legs or joints.

We started Sierra at 7 and jack at 4 just cause we were all ready giving it to sierra. i think its only needed young if your pup has issues, start it at 4-5 just to prevent old age from coming on to fast. and again talk to your vet for doses.

eander83 wrote:

Since our last encounter I have been requesting to see the lady doctor. She just handles Loki better and doesn't make him nervous. She can take his temp and he not howl bloody murder. Plus she gets on the floor with him and plays for a little bit, I never seen a vet do that before. That is probably why Loki likes her so much. She took really good care of him for his neutering and called us Monday just to make sure he was doing well and his stitches looked good. I've never seen a vet take that much insterested in their patients, while other then my exotic vet for my chinchilla. He cares alot too. Growing up we had several dogs and never once did I see that kinda of care from a vet.

There are two vets where we go as well and I always go with Dr. Gomara. Myas been going to him since we got her at 8 weeks and she's going to be 7 in March. He just loves the pups. He lets Kody lick him to death right in the face and has thrown himself on the floor to play with them all on separate occassions Just yesterday at their vet visit he was hugging Kody while talking to us It's not that I don't like the lady doctor (Dr. Garcia), but there's just something. I trust Dr. Gomara more

There is no right or wrong answer here when dealing with a healthy dog.

I personally started my healthy dogs (Dakota & Faith) on joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroiton, and MSM when they turned 5 years of age.

Glory has joint problems (Patellar luxation) so she's been on joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroiton, MSM, and Ester-C) since we adopted her at 3 years of age.