The Use of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements for Joint Support and Health in Cats and Dogs Presented to: Dr. Meg Smart, Small Animal Nutrition Elective By: Karen Choptain
The Use of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements for Joint Support and Health in Cats and DogsPresented to: Dr. Meg Smart, Small Animal Nutrition ElectiveBy: Karen Choptain IntroductionThe use of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements, either in manufactured pet foods or as adjuncts to diet, are not necessarily new to the domestic animal world. There have, however, been more recent use of advertisements and promotions of diets and supplements being sold that tout the benefit of such products to aid in the area of joint health and stabilization.Ā These products have become quite popular with the public, as they allow for adjunctive therapy or alternative therapy in cats and dogs that suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD) (1). What is a nutraceutical?Ā A nutraceutical, as defined by the North American Veterinary Nutraceutical Council, is āa nondrug substance that is produced in a purified or extracted form, administered orally, to provide compounds required for normal body structure and function with the intent of improving health and well-beingā (1,2). More specifically, a nutraceutical used in the aspect of joint support can be referred to as a chondroprotectant.Ā This term has been applied to substances such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, combination products of the two, New Zealand green-lipped mussels (GLM), omega-3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E and other dietary compounds such as P54FP, Avocado/soybean oils, Boron, Boswellia Resin, Catās Claw, Creatine, and Special milk protein concentrate (3).Ā Chondroprotectant agents base their purpose on providing the following three primary effects: 1) to support or enhance metabolism of chondrocytes and synoviocytes, 2) inhibit degradative enzymes within synovial fluid and cartilage matrix, and 3) inhibit formation of thrombi in small blood vessels supplying the joint (1).In humans, the use of dietary supplements is regulated under the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (1). This is in order to allow consumers the opportunity to purchase a variety of products that are marketed for joint health and support.Ā The products themselves must be safe; however, they do not have to achieve pre market approval, in contrast to pharmaceuticals or ādrugsā.Ā The aforementioned act does not apply to dietary supplements in the veterinary market. While the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association withholds the right to remove products from the market, providing the product is safe and does not pose a threat to human safety it may be sold (1). The product also may not advertise claims such as being used to treat, cure, prevent or mitigate a disease (1).In addition, label claims and quality control of these products has been documented (1, 4, 5). Due to the lack of quality assurance, the consumer cannot be guaranteed that the product itself is of the concentration listed on the label or of its purity (1).Ā A large variety of products are available to consumers.Ā Despite the number of products, there is a drastic lack of scientific evidence that promotes any on of these products over the other.Ā This paper serves to provide some clarity to the commercial foods and supplements that are available to consumers and critically evaluate their efficacy for the use of joint support and health in cats and dogs.Osteoarthritis in Dogs and CatsIn order to fully appreciate and understand the proposed use of chondroprotectants one must first have an idea of the function of a healthy joint and how it differs from a diseased joint.Ā Understanding the pathophysiology of a diseased joint can help to show areas in which chondroprotectants may act to mitigate the disease process and alleviate the pain, discomfort, and debilitating effects of OA.Ā Unlike in the human species where OA is attributed to a normal aging process, in our domestic species an underlying process is generally at play.Ā OA itself is defined as being a non inflammatory disorder of moveable joints (6, 7). In dogs and cats an underlying pathology is suspected to be the predisposing factor for the development of OA. Obesity causing excessive load bearing on joints, cruciate ligament tears, fractures, and developmental disorders such as Legg-Perthes-Calves disease, osteochondritis dessicans, osteochondral disease, hip dysplasia and patellar luxation are all factors which can lead to the development of OA (1, 6).Ā The normal diarthrodial joint is composed of a joint capsule, synovial fluid, articular cartilage and subchondral bone (1).Ā The joint in question serves the purpose of providing a smooth surface that is able to distribute the load from one bone to another.Ā The two opposing bones are covered on the surface by an avascular and aneural articular cartilage.Ā Articular CartilageThe articular cartilage is divided histologically into multiple zones and is composed of chondrocytes surrounded by a matrix. This lies on top of the subchondral bone and assists in t
Product | Company |
| |
Dasuquin | Nutramax |
| Laboratories |
Cosequin | Nutramax |
| Laboratories |
Omega Pro 3 | Pro Concepts |
| Animal Health |
Ubavet Liquid | |
Plus | Ubavet |
Flexadin | Vetoquinol |
Zukes Hip Action | Zuke's |
Chondro Flex | Champion Alstoe |
| Animal Health |
Product | Company |
| |
Spring Meadows | Spring Meadows |
liquid joint care | |
| |
Naturvet Hip and | Naturvet |
Joint Formula | |
Biologic Vet | Biologic Vet |
joint support | |
Flax Forward | Juka |
Ā Cetyl M | Response |
Glucosamine + | 21st Century Pet |
Chondroitin | |
Halo hip and joint | Halo |
Hillās j/d | Purina JM | Medical Mobility Support | Royal Canin Weight & Osteo |
1) Improve dogās ability to run, walk, jump in as little as 21 days | 1)improve mobility | 1) improve mobility and reduce pain with omega fa ratio | 1) enhance joint support |
2) excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid EPA | 2) high EPA and omega-3 fatty acids | 2) high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids | 2) enriched with EPA and DHA |
3) controlled calorie content | 3) high protein/calorie ratio, moderate fat content | 3) reduced calorie content | 3) restricted calorie |
4) added L-carnitine to maintain healthy weight | 4) appropriate levels of omega 6 fatty acids | 4) GLMP support joints and is anti-inflammatory | 4) L-carnitine added |
| 5) high levels of antioxidant vitamins E and C | 5) omega3 and 6 promote healthy skin and coat | 5) Vitamin E and C for antioxidant + taurine |
| 6) natural source of glucosamine | | 6) glucosamine added |
| 7) excellent palatability | | 7) highly digestible protein |
| | | 8) aids in dental health |
Ā Table 4 | Comparison of Commonly Prescribed/Recommended Veterinary Diets for Joint Support/Health | |||
| | | | |
Nutrient and Caloric | Hills J/D dry | Purina JM | Medi Cal Mobility Support | Royal Canin Weight & Osteo |
Contents: | | | | |
% dry matter | | | | |
Protein | 20.1 | 30 | 25 | 29 |
Fat | 16.3 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
Carbohydrate | 51.1 | | | |
Crude Fiber | 7.8 | 4 | 2.1 | 10.5 |
Calcium | 0.71 | | | 0.81 |
Phosphorus | 0.54 | | | 0.68 |
Potassium | 0.79 | | | 0.62 |
Sodium | 0.17 | | | 0.32 |
Magnesium | 0.145 | | | 0.65 |
Carnitine | 349 ppm | | | |
Vitamin C | 203 mg/kg | 100 mg/kg | | 199mg/kg |
Vitamin E | 582 IU/kg | 800 IU/kg | | 597 IU/kg |
EPA | 0.493 | | | 0.25 |
ALA | 2.73 | | | |
LA | | | | 2.14 |
Omega -3 FA total | 3.74 | 0.85 | 0.57 | |
EPA/DHA | 0.57 | 0.36 | ||
GLMP | 0.3 | | ||
Glucosamine/ | 980mg/kg:674mg/kg | 1435 mg/kg | 1000mg/kg | 893mg/kg:100mg/kg |
chondroitin sulfate | ||||
| | | | |
Caloric density | 356 kcal/ cup | 408 kcal/cup | 324 kcal/cup | 246 kcal/cup |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Hills j/d: | whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal, flaxseed, soybean mill run, brewers rice, soybean meal, pork fat | |||
preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), chicken liver flavour, powdered cellulose, fish oil, lactic acid | ||||
potassium chloride, L-lysine, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, iodized salt, DL-methionine, | ||||
vitamin E supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E supplement, niacin, | ||||
thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine | ||||
hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, | ), L-threonine, taurine, soy lecithin, glucosamine | |||
hydrochloride, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, cupper sulfate, magnesium oxide, calcium iodate, sodium | ||||
selenite), L-tryptophan, L-carnitine, preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid | ||||
Purina JM: | brewers rice, salmon meal, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), dried | |||
egg product, oat fiber, animal digest, animal fat preserved with mixed tocopherols (form of Vitamin E) | ||||
fish oil, chicken, potassium chloride, vitamin E supplement, salt, choline chloride, taurine, zinc sulfate, | ||||
L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium carbonate, | ||||
vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, | ||||
vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin | ||||
menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), sodium selenite | ||||
Medi Cal Mobility | brewer's rice, chicken meal, brown rice, corn, corn gluten meal, natural flavour, chicken fat, diet beet pulp, | |||
Support | fish oil, calcium carbonate, pea fibre, potassium chloride, vegetable oil, salt, green lipped mussel powder, | |||
L-lysine, choline chloride, taurine, glucosamine hydrochloride, vitamins (DL-alpha-tocopherol (source of | ||||
vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), biotin, D-calcium, pantothenate, pyridoxine | ||||
hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin A acetate, niacin, thiamin mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B12), | ||||
folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement and vitamin D3 supplement), trace minerals (zinc proteinate, manganese | ||||
proteinate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulphate, copper proteinate, copper sulphate, manganous oxide, calcium | ||||
iodate, and sodium selenite), marigold extract (source of lutein), and chondroitin sulphate. Naturally preserved | ||||
with mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract and citric acid. | ||||
Royal Canin | ||||
Weight & Osteo: | chicken meal, brown rice, wheat gluten, barley, powdered cellulose, rice, chicken fat, natural flavors, dried beet | |||
pulp, fish oil, brewers dried yeast, sodium silica aluminate, potassium chloride, dried egg product, vegetable oil, | ||||
sodium tripolyphosphate, calcium sulfate, salt, choline chloride, DL-methionine, taurine, glucosamine | ||||
hydrochloride, marigold extract, vitamins (DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-Ascorbyl-2 | ||||
polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), biotin, D0calcium pantothenate, vitamin mononitrate (vitamin B1), | ||||
riboflavin supplement (vitamin B2), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement), L-carnitine, | ||||
trace minerals (zinc oxide, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, copper | ||||
proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, tea (green tea extract), chondroitin sulfate, rosemary extract, | ||||
preserved with natural mixed tocopherols and citric acid. |
Crude Fat (min) 10.0 %Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā lowest of all diets
Crude Fibre (max) 4.0 %Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā lowest of all diets
Moisture (max) 10.0 %Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Calcium (min) 1.1%Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā slightly higher than other diets
Phosphorus (min) .85%Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā slightly higher than other diets
Omega 3 (min)** 0.44 %Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā lowest of all diets
Omega 6 (min)** 3.62 %Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Glucosamine* (min) 600 mg/kgĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā lowest of all diets
Chondroitin Sulphate* (min) 400 mg/kgĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā highest of all diets
Canine chewable treats contain:
Ingredient | Large Dogs | Small to Medium Dogs |
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* 99% | 900 mg | 600 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* | 350 mgā | 250 mgā |
Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables* (ASU) Powder | 90 mgā” | 45 mgā” |
Canine Chewable tablets: Each Chewable Tablet Contains:
Ingredient | Large Dogs | Small to Medium Dogs |
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* 99% | 900 mg | 600 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* (Low Molecular Weight) | 350 mgā | 250 mgā |
Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables* (ASU) Powder | 90 mgā” | 45 mgā” |
Feline Capsules: Each Capsule Contains:
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* 99% | 125 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* (Low Molecular Weight) | 100 mgā |
Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables* (ASU) Powder | 25 mgā” |
Feline Cosequin: Each Capsule Contains:
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* minimum | 125 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* minimum | 100 mgā |
Manganese minimum | 1 mg** |
Canine Cosequin: Each Chewable Tablet/capsule Contains:
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* | 500 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* | 400 mgā |
Manganese | 5 mg** |
Cosequin DS + DSM Each Chewable Tablet Contains:
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* | 600 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* | 300 mgā |
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) | 250 mg |
Manganese | 5 mg** |
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* | 600 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* | 300 mgā |
Glucosamine Hydrochloride* | 250 mg |
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate* | 200 mgā |
Manganese | 2 mg** |
Glucosamine HCl | 500mg |
Chondroitin Sulfate | 400mg |
Devilās Claw | 150mg |
Manganese | 10mg |
Glucosamine HCl | 500mg |
Chondroitin Sulfate | 400mg |
Methylsulfonylmethane | 500mg |
Ascorbate (as Manganese Ascorbate) | 66mg |
Manganese (as Manganese Ascorbate) | 10mg |
Glucosamine HCl | 1000mg |
Chondroitin Sulfate | 250mg |
Manganese | 10mg |
MSM | 200mg |
Ascorbic Acid | 70mg |
GLM | 10mg |
Selenium | 5mg |
Bioflavinoids | 10mg |
Vitamin A | 200 IU |
Vitamin D | 50 IU |
Vitamin E | 4 IU |
Eicosapentaneoic Acid | 180 mg |
Docosahexaenoic Acid | 120mg |
Glucosamine | 300mg |
Chondroitin Sulfate | 50mg |
Table 5 Summary of Advised Supplements for Joint Health by Local Veterinarians | | | | |||||
Product | Chondroflex | Cosequin (K9) | Cosequin DS | Dasuquin | Flexadin | Liquid Plus | OmegaPro-3 | Hip Action |
Manufacturer | Champion Alstoe Animal Health | Nutramax | Nutramax | Nutramax | Vetoquinol | Ubavet | Pro Concepts Animal Health | Zuke's |
Country | Canada | US | US | US | Canada | Canada | Canada | US |
Volume | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 1 tablet | 5mL | 1mL | 1 chew |
Glucosamine | 500mg | 250mg | 600mg | 600-900mg | 500mg | 1000mg | | 300mg |
Chondroitin | 300mg | 200mg | 300mg | 250-350mg | 400mg | 250mg | | 50mg |
Manganese | 10mg | 2mg | | | 10mg | 10mg | | |
MSM | 500mg | | | | | 200mg | | |
GLM | | | | | | 10mg | | |
ASU powder | | | | 45-90mg | | | | |
Devil's Claw | | | | | 150mg | | | |
Selenium | | | | | | 5mg | | |
Bioflavinoids | | | | | | 10mg | | |
Ascorbic acid | | | | | | 70mg | | |
Vitamin A | | | | | | | 200 IU | |
Vitamin E | | | | | | | 50 IU | |
EPA | | | | | | | 180 mg | |
DHA | | | | | | | 120 mg | |
Table 6 Summary of Products Available of Local Pet Stores in Saskatoon, SK | | | | | | ||||||
Product | Manufacturer | MSM | dose | Gluc | Cetyl M | Garlic root | Bromelain | Ginger Root | Chondroitin | Ascorbic Acid | Mang. |
Advanced Cetyl M | Response | | 1 tablet | 250mg | 250mg | 15 mg | 10mg | 7.5mg | | | |
Biojoint* | Biologic Vet | 200mg | 5g 1scoop | 200mg | | | 144 GDU | | 80mg | | 0.5mg |
Cosequin feline | Nutramax | | 1 tablet | 125mg | | | | | 100 mg | | 1mg |
Cosequin DS | Nutramax | | 1 tablet | 500mg | | | | | 400 mg | | 5mg |
Flax Forward+ | Juka Organics | | | | | | | | | | |
Glucosamine/ chondroitin** | 21st Century | 10mg | 1 tablet | 500mg | | | | | 100 mg | 10mg | 5mg |
Glucosamine HCL | Ubavet | | 1 tablet | 725mg | | | | | 375 mg | 100mg | 5mg |
Hip+Joint Plus paw gel++ | Nutri-Vet | 7.5mg | | | | | | | 1.5 mg | | |
Hip+Joint Level 2 canine+++ | Nutri-Vet | 400mg | 1 tablet | 400mg | | | | | | | |
Hip+Joint Level 3 canine | Nutri-Vet | 50mg | 1 tablet | 500mg | | | | | 400 mg | | |
Hip + Joint | Pet Naturals | 200mg | 1 tablet | 500mg | | | | | 200 mg | 50mg | 2.5mg |
Joint Stress | Homeopet | contains monkshood, leopard`s bane, pot marigold, witch hazel, st. John`s wort, chick pea and poison oak | | | | | | | | | |
Liquid Joint Care! | Spring Meadows | | ounce | 2ooo mg | | | 200 mg | | 80mg | | 24mg |
Stride Powder | TRM Pet Products | 2000mg | 10 g | 1080 mg | | | | | 240 mg | 48mg | 76mg |
Muscle & Joint!! | Vet`s Best | 200mg | | | | | 2400gdu | | | | |
Vita-Glo Hip + Joint | Halo | | | 340mg/kg | | | | | 272 mg/kg | 250 mg/kg | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(*) also contains Boswellia serrata Extract, Vitamin C, Grape Seed extract, Vitamin D3 | |||||||||||
(+) contains flax oil and flax solids (product ingredients unavailable online) | |||||||||||
(**) also contains zinc, copper, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E | |||||||||||
(++) also contains yucca schidegera extract, sea kelp and vitamin C | |||||||||||
(+++) all hip and joint canine products also contain vitamin C, antioxidants, zinc, manganese and copper | |||||||||||
as well as GLM (500mg) | |||||||||||
(!) also contains yucca schidegera, collagen, grape seed extract, citrus bioflavinoids, copper, zinc and calcium | |||||||||||
(!!) also contains Boswellia extract, tumeric extract, yucca extract, rosemary extract, antioxidants | |||||||||||