OPTIMUM® Dog News #2
Inside this issue:
Important Information on Joint Health
Larger dogs and breeds prone to obesity are more susceptible to poor joint health and as a result can experience a loss in strength leading to limited mobility and joint pain. Fortunately you can take preventative action by introducing a diet to your dog that includes added glucosamine to limit the inevitable degeneration of cartilage.
What is glucosamine and how does it help my dog?
Glucosamine occurs naturally in the body, where it plays a role in the formation and repair of cartilage, however as your dog ages its body is not able to produce the same levels of glucosamine. Therefore OPTIMUM Adult Large Breeds, OPTIMUM Active and OPTIMUM Mature (dry range) are formulated with added glucosamine to help promote healthy joint cartilage and mobility in dogs. Similarly many humans also supplement their diet with glucosamine for the prevention and treatment of arthritis.
Other care for joints
In addition to feeding your dog a diet rich in glucosamine, you can also help to improve and maintain joint health by doing some of the following:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight. Excess weight can cause stress on joints and increase pain if joint cartilage is already worn.
- Regular exercise to maintain a good level of fitness, to strengthen the muscles around joints to create greater stability and flexibility.
- Exercise together and you can both stay fit and healthy.
- Feeding a healthy and balanced diet full of essential nutrition including glucosamine.
- Regular check-ups with your vet to assess your dog's wellbeing
What if my dog already suffers from joint problems or limited mobility?
It's always best to ask your vet for advice specific to the condition of your pet; however the most important thing you can do is to maintain a healthy balanced diet, and provide the right level of exercise appropriate to your dog's needs. If walking or running is limited due to restricted mobility, your vet may recommend special physical therapy or walking through water to reduce the impact on joints.
Sadly many dog owners don't ever realise how much pain their dog may be in, so it's always a good idea to ask your vet for advice. Surgery may be recommended for dogs with extreme cases.
How to Love Your Dog's Heart
With over 40 years of experience in companion animal nutrition and behavioural studies, Waltham scientists and researchers understand the importance of a nutritionally balanced diet. In particular they have found that specific active ingredients may assist a healthy cardiovascular system in dogs.
You can take preventative action by feeding your dog a nutritionally balanced diet with specific active ingredients that promote a healthy heart.
The OPTIMUM® dry dog range* is formulated with Arginine, Taurine and Vitamin E, which has been scientifically developed to assist in keeping the heart and blood vessels healthy.
When you see this OPTIMAL HEART HEALTH icon on OPTIMUM dry dog adult products* rest assured that you are helping to maintain the lifelong health of your dog's heart.
To discover more about pet Heart Health, click here
OPTIMUM Dog News Spotlight
Name: Dudley
Pet: Japanese Spitz
Q. I would describe my pet's personality as:
A. Laid back but active, I take Dudley for a walk every morning and night. He adores his walks!
Q. Fondest memory of my dog:
A. Dudley playing with our dog Monte, doing laps around the house and playing tag.
Q. What we think of the OPTIMUM® Pet Health DriveTM:
A. We think the OPTIMUM Pet Health Drive is great! There are so many pets out there that struggle to lose weight, and are not fed the right types of food, so this will help fight pet obesity and other health problems.
Q. What we've learnt from the OPTIMUM Pet Health Drive:
A. I love animals and I want to do what's best for them. By feeding the right food along with regular exercise, better health can be achieved for your pet.
Did You Know...?
Some of the more popular dog breeds prone to obesity are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Basset Hounds, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Cocker Spaniels, Pugs, Dachshunds and Welsh Corgis.
As dogs age they tend to gain weight which puts them at greater risk of developing bone and joint disorders, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and urinary tract disorders. OPTIMUM Healthy Weight Management has lower calories and less fat to help moderate your dog's weight, without sacrificing taste and nutrition. Glucosamine has also been added to help maintain joint health.
OPTIMUM Healthy Weight Management with Chicken, Rice and Vegetables is available in 1.8kg and 3.5kg resealable bags. Also available in 400g and 680g wet cans and 150g pouch.
The OPTIMUM range provides health and enjoyment
Click here to view the complete OPTIMUM range for dogs.
