How Pedigree research has
helped Bring Back The Bounce

Joint stiffness – a common problem in dogs

Anyone working in a veterinary practice will be all too aware of how common mobility issues are in dogs, especially as they age. Studies have shown that 1 in 5 dogs in the UK are suffering from the stiffness associated with joint issues, with up to a third of all dogs over the age of five presenting with signs of reduced mobility. Joint issues not only cause reduced mobility for the dog but are also an intensely emotional condition for the owner, who lives day to day seeing their dog unable to live with the same exuberance they remember.

Are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs the answer?

A first response to joint stiffness is often to prescribe NSAID’s to ease the pain and reduce inflammation of the affected joints. NSAID’s can be very effective in controlling pain, however they do little to target some of the causes of the reduced mobility. Humans presenting with poor mobility rarely choose long term NSAID use for relief, and increasingly, naturally occurring compounds are recommended to help target the cause of the joint stiffness. Add to this the difficulty in administering tablets to dogs on a daily basis and it is clear that alternative responses to reduced mobility should be considered. In recent years there have been a series of new products for dogs, relying on the increasing body of evidence surrounding naturally occurring compound use for mobility support In main meal or supplements. Often these products are administered alongside NSAID’s to provide a more comprehensive care package for dogs with poor mobility.

Targeting the cause

Reduced mobility has many causes, many of which involve poor joint health. Reduced levels of cartilage, loss of synovial fluid, damage to the joint capsule and inflammation all contribute to a reduced range of motion and a lack of propensity to exercise, often exacerbating the problem by causing weight gain. Increasingly, glycosaminoglycans such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin are being used to help the body deal with the degeneration of the glycosaminoglycan chains within the joint capsule, helping to strengthen the cartilage. At the same time, a sufficient quantity of omega oils, such as those found in fish oils, are effective in helping to ease stiffness within the joint, helping to restore the range of motion. A less well known naturally occurring compound, New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (GLM), has been shown to not only be a rich source of chondroitin, but also to contain a unique cocktail of omega oils.

Scientifically proven Pedigree Joint Care+

Designed in association with the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition – the scientific authority that unifies the research and development expertise of the Mars Petcare companies globally, Pedigree Joint Care+ contains our CPA Complex+, a unique blend of naturally occurring compounds including glucosamine, omega oils, chondroitin and GLM, together with added vitamins and methionine. Pedigree Joint Care+ is scientifically proven to target the causes of poor mobility, resulting in a visible improvement in mobility in 6 weeks. Mars Petcare conducted a collaborative study with the West Mount Veterinary Practices to test the efficacy of the Pedigree Joint Care+ product. The study involved veterinarians and consumers each independently scoring different aspects of their dogs mobility prior to the trial. The veterinarians focussed on measuring a series of parameters from range of motion to joint crepitus, while the consumers rated more visible parameters such as stair climbing and stiffness. After 4, 6 and 8 weeks of daily feeding of Pedigree Joint Care+ the scoring was repeated and the results collated to assess any improvements. The testing has shown that 72% of dogs fed Pedigree Joint Care+ daily experience a higher level of mobility within 6 weeks, reduced stiffness, and greater range of motion, with many dogs on the trials actually losing weight over the 6 weeks due to an increased range of exercise. In addition to the positive effect on mobility, Pedigree Joint Care+ is a highly palatable one-a-day treat, making daily feeding a simple affair for the owner and an enjoyable experience for the dog. Pedigree Joint Care+ is available in 3 sizes to suit different dog breeds, and because Mars Petcare understand that as dogs age, their ability to chew can be reduced, it has been developed with a special soft-chew texture that even the oldest dog can devour.