Can Collagen for Dogs Promote Joint Health and Mobility?

Many dog owners and their canine companions know the feeling: One day, you’re enjoying your regular jaunt around the neighborhood with your pooch, and the next, that spring in your pet’s step has suddenly dwindled.

Whether it’s an injury or joint pain, this type of fatigue and irritability is common in many dogs, regardless of their breed or age.

But next time you’re looking down at Fido concerned on your morning walk, take a look at the collagen smoothie in your own hand. Just as it naturally encourages bone, skin, and joint health in humans, dog collagen supplementation may offer a host of health and mobility benefits to your dog.

Collagen is a protein—in fact, it’s the most prevalent one in mammals.1,6 Present in bone, skin, muscles, tendons, and cartilage, it’s used not only to build tissue but also to keep it strong and flexible. Hence, joint health and smooth, radiant skin hinge in part on collagen production and intake.

You might have noticed that collagen supplements are all the rage as of late.3 This is for good reason: collagen decreases with age and bolstering it may help counter age-related signs and symptoms.

Humans use collagen for its anti-aging benefits; however, collagen benefits for dogs extend beyond the skin, promoting robust joints and bones and keeping the body as a whole resilient.

Increasingly seen as a terrific addition to dogs’ diet, collagen for dogs may help your pup enjoy the freedom of optimal joint health and mobility.

Observe your dog daily, watching for these common symptoms of joint pain and mobility issues:

• Fatigue or lethargy
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Limping
• Stiffness
• Slipping when trying to move
• Licking, chewing, or biting at the affected joints

Collagen for dogs may offer the same revitalizing boost that it does for humans.

• Urinary Support — Research shows that collagen injections for dogs can naturally support urinary health.⁵ Submucosal collagen injections are used to treat urinary incontinence in dogs that are not responding to other treatments. 
• Joint Health Support — Nearly all dogs experience joint discomfort, regardless of breed or age. Research in people and dogs shows that collagen may support cartilage production, enhance and preserve cartilage structure, and reduce immune-mediated reaction to cartilage.⁶
• Increased Mobility — Collagen promotes connective tissue health, which may ultimately place less stress on your pup’s joints. It may also limit pain and improve mobility.⁷
• Reduced Risk of Injury — A collagen supplement may help keep your pup safe from injuries thanks to that bump in elasticity and resilience. This way, you can watch them on the field or in your yard without worry (or maybe even join in).
• Increased Skin, Fur, and Dental Health — A collagen supplement is a natural way to keep your puppy’s skin healthy, their coat long and shiny, and their teeth strong. 
• Enhanced Gut and Digestive Health — The connective tissue that collagen supports is also found in your dog’s gut. Increasing collagen in your dog’s diet may promote a healthy lining in your dog’s digestive tract and facilitate digestive health.¹⁰

Collagen is right for just about any dog—puppy, adult, or senior—but it’s best to obtain your vet’s go-ahead before weaving it into your dog’s diet. If you do get the green light from your dog doc, including collagen in your pup’s diet will help them reap the protein’s benefits.

Collagen may support joint and cartilage health in older dogs that are prone to soreness and stiffness that tend to coincide with age, and the potential to enhance tissue health may be beneficial for younger pups.

Whether you’re dealing with a dog who’s exhibiting signs of joint stiffness or you simply want to promote your pup’s overall health, consider a collagen supplement.

Animal cartilage, skin, and bone are the sources of collagen products.6

While many dry dog foods on the market contain meat, most don’t offer a concentrated supply of collagen like whole food sources would. For this reason, it’s best to offer your pup her daily dose of collagen via an all-natural supplement.

A daily supplement containing straight-from-the-source collagen, like the ALL-IN supplement from Vetericyn, will help ensure that your pup is getting the daily intake she needs without the risks that come with completely changing her diet or feeding her “human food” her digestive system isn’t used to and might reject.

Health, longevity, strength, and happiness—this is what we all want for our dogs. Collagen supplementation can enrich joint health and support mobility.

Vetericyn is here to make it easy. Our ALL-IN dog supplement contains a healthy dose of collagen, along with other beneficial nutrients and superfoods like fish oil, magnesium, and ashwagandha. Created to give your pet a boost from the inside out, it may also improve cognitive function and nutrient absorption while encouraging many health benefits. Talk with your vet and consider adding ito your dog’s daily routine, just like you would your own daily multivitamin.

Enjoy your next morning walk with your furry friend, knowing he’s got that spring in his step? ALL-IN provides you with peace of mind, knowing that both you and your dog can enjoy years of fun and plenty of discomfort-free zoomie sessions (that is, if you can keep up).

Sources:

1. Harvard University. Collagen. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/collagen/
2. Florida State University. Animal cell structure. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/animalcell.html
3. The Guardian. What is collagen and why is it so popular in the beauty industry? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/06/what-is-collagen-and-why-is-it-so-popular-in-the-beauty-industry
4. Caring Hands Veterinary Hospital & Hospitality Center. Signs of joint pain in dogs: types, causes and treatment. https://www.denvervet.com/site/blog/2021/07/15/signs-of-joint-pain-in-dogs
5. UC Davis. Urinary incontinence in the dog. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/hospital/animal-health-topics/canine-incontinence
6. National Library of Medicine. Collagen supplementation for joint health: the link between composition and scientific knowledge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058045/
7. Translational Animal Science. Impact of supplemented undenatured type II collagen on pain and mobility in healthy labrador retrievers during an exercise regimen. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9512092/
8. National Library of Medicine. An internet survey of risk factors for injury in North American dogs competing in flyball. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7877682/
9. National Library of Medicine. Collagen extraction from animal skin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9219788/
10. Cleveland Clinic. Collagen. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen
11. Healthline. 13 foods that help your body produce collagen. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/collagen-food-boost#why-diet-matters
12. Texas A&M University. Arthritis in dogs. https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/arthritis-in-dogs/
13. Nutrients. Collagen supplementation for joint health: the link between composition and scientific knowledge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10058045/