
Canines of all ages can undergo from joint ache and mobility points. Arthritis is the primary power ache canines face, affecting even younger canines. No canine ought to need to undergo silently each time they stroll, which is why canine dad and mom are doing every part they’ll to forestall future joint ache. There are numerous joint merchandise available on the market, however inexperienced lipped mussels on your canine may very well be a secure, pure choice.
Most individuals have by no means heard of inexperienced lipped mussels. But, these mollusks have a protracted historical past of aiding human joints. So, researchers have discovered that the identical properties may fit for canines as properly. Let’s take a look at how these distinctive creatures can profit your canine and how one can safely serve them.

What are Inexperienced Lipped Mussels?
Inexperienced lipped mussels, often known as GLM, are a mussel species native to the coast of New Zealand. They’re named after the intense inexperienced stripe that traces the sting of the shell. They’re a pure filter for seawater, so that they take in many vitamins and minerals. These potent mussels are comparatively small, however they’ve large well being advantages.
New Zealand natives have lengthy used the mussels. The Maori, the indigenous Polynesian folks, began consuming the mussels centuries in the past. Ultimately, scientists realized that their arthritis charges had been a lot decrease than these dwelling on the mainland. The important thing distinction gave the impression to be the inexperienced lipped mussels.
At first, scientists had been unable to uncover a lot about inexperienced lipped mussels as a result of they may solely take a look at the meat rejected after processing. Nonetheless, once they may freeze-dry mussels within the Nineteen Eighties, they uncovered extra about what the mussels contained. They realized that the preliminary testing didn’t present that the mussels had been wealthy in omega fatty acids and different helpful vitamins.
After additional analysis, scientists discovered how these mollusks had been benefitting human joints. Inexperienced lipped mussels appear to have an analogous impact on the common canine too.

Are Inexperienced Lipped Mussels Good for Canines?
Sure, inexperienced lipped mussels are good for canines. They’re wealthy in helpful vitamins, equivalent to glucosamine and chondroitin, together with nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All of these things can enhance your canine’s joints, and they are able to profit them in different methods too.
Regardless that inexperienced lipped mussels aren’t widespread, they might be a safer various to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) used for canine joint ache. They’re a pure choice with fewer uncomfortable side effects. They may also help with every kind of joint considerations, together with arthritis, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, and any normal mobility ache.
A 2009 examine demonstrated the enhancements of arthritis in canines taking these mussels. The canines took inexperienced lipped mussels for eight weeks and had been evaluated 4 completely different occasions. The canines who took the mussels confirmed a major advance in joint well being in comparison with the management group. These enhancements continued for 4 weeks after the canines stopped taking the mussels.
All of the research which have been finished with inexperienced lipped mussels and canines have proven that the mussels haven’t any vital dangers for canines.
How Can Inexperienced Lipped Mussels Profit Your Canine?
The principle advantage of inexperienced lipped mussels for canines is relieving joint ache. At the least one in 5 canines suffers from worsening osteoarthritis, so taking a joint complement might cut back that danger. Joints solely deteriorate as canines become older, so it’s finest to present them aid at an early age.
Listed here are some particular advantages of inexperienced lipped mussels for canines:
- Has pure inflammatory properties
- Reduces joint ache
- Protects, builds, and repairs cartilage
- Boosts canine immunity
- Makes bones stronger
- Prevents arthritis
- Prevents sluggish injury to cells
- Helps joint tissue
It’s arduous to imagine that some mussels can do the identical work as prescribed medicines, however many canines have skilled optimistic outcomes due to them. Scientists examined what makes these mussels strengthen joints to know higher how they work.
Canines affected by joint ache might expertise limping, flinching when touched close to joints, reluctance to stroll, or lack of ability to climb stairs. Even when your canine exhibits no indicators of ache, joint dietary supplements can nonetheless cut back their danger of mobility points sooner or later. Arthritis impacts 20% of canines over one-year-old and 80% of canines over eight years outdated.
How Do Inexperienced Lipped Mussels Profit Joints?
Inexperienced lipped mussels embrace all of the elements you’d discover in joint dietary supplements and extra. Some helpful objects embrace glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, copper, iodine, manganese, and vitamin B12. Glucosamine and chondroitin make up glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which may shield canine joints from put on and tear.
Canine joints are surrounded by capsules which have water in them. Extra water within the case means extra safety for the joints. So, chondroitin can strengthen these capsules and provides them more room to carry water. Even a month after taking inexperienced lipped mussels, the GAGs can nonetheless shield your canine’s joints.
Then, omega-3 fatty acids within the mussels give them anti-inflammatory results. Omega fatty acids are mostly related to preserving a canine’s pores and skin and coat wholesome, however there are literally 90 various kinds of fatty acids in inexperienced lipped mussels. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are those which are essential for stopping irritation.
Can Inexperienced Lipped Mussels Exchange Medicines?
NSAIDs are sometimes given to lower irritation in canines, which is one thing inexperienced lipped mussels are used for. You could possibly present these mussels as a substitute of medicine as a result of they’ve further advantages.
Regardless that NSAIDs may also help your canine really feel higher by decreasing irritation, they may trigger further issues. Some medicines destroy cartilage and liver lining, particularly if taken in excessive doses. Much less cartilage may cause extra injury to the joints, making the medication counterintuitive in some situations. Inexperienced lipped mussels don’t trigger these potential dangers.
In actual fact, inexperienced lipped mussels construct wholesome cartilage to assist strengthen joints. Thus, they do greater than lower irritation as a result of they’ll use different helpful elements to forestall joint issues from creating. They’ve fewer dangers and uncomfortable side effects than most medicines, which is why they could be the higher various.
Nonetheless, you need to at all times seek the advice of your vet earlier than switching to a unique treatment. Sure conditions might require a medicine as a substitute of mussels, so your vet can provide the finest recommendation based mostly in your canine’s well being.
Inexperienced Lipped Mussels for Canines Dosage
The dosage of inexperienced lipped mussels for canines can range based mostly on the way you serve it and what your canine wants it for. Most specialists recommend that you need to give your canine about 15 to twenty mg for each pound of physique weight.
Listed here are the urged inexperienced lipped mussel doses for canines:
- 10 kilos or much less – 200 mg
- 11 to 25 kilos – 400 mg
- 26 to 50 kilos – 800 mg
- 51 to 75 kilos – 1,200 mg
- 76 kilos or extra – 2,400 mg
You solely want to present your canine a dose as soon as per day. Should you purchase a complement that has inexperienced lipped mussels in it, the really helpful dose shall be on the container. After all, in the event you’re ever unsure how a lot to present your canine, you’ll be able to seek the advice of your vet.
After giving your canine their first few doses, it’s possible you’ll select to extend or lower their dosage barely based mostly on the way it impacts them.
Are There Any Aspect Results of Inexperienced Lipped Mussels?
There are not any identified uncomfortable side effects of inexperienced lipped mussels for canines, so that they’re the safer various to medicines. However like all new dietary supplements, you have to be cautious when first giving them to your canine. Pay shut consideration to your furry buddy’s behaviors and speak to your vet if something appears uncommon.

Whereas it’s not essentially a danger, it’s vital to notice that not all inexperienced lipped mussels are equal. Some inexperienced lipped mussel merchandise don’t have sufficient fatty acids in them to make a major affect in your canine’s joints. When selecting a product, search for mussels with a minimum of 6% omega fatty acids. In any other case, the complement won’t do a lot for them.
Inexperienced lipped mussels also can take extra time to have an effect than NSAIDs. But, many canine dad and mom agree that it’s price it for the decrease danger of antagonistic results. If your canine is allergic to shellfish, ask your vet about different secure treatments as a substitute.
Is it Protected to Take with Medicines?
Inexperienced lipped mussels may be taken with every other medicines. There are not any reported drug interactions with these things. They’re even secure for canines of all ages to devour, however nobody has researched if the mussels are secure for pregnant or lactating canines but.
Discovering High quality Inexperienced Lipped Mussels
As talked about earlier, not all inexperienced lipped mussels are created equal. The best way they’re sourced, harvested, and manufactured can play a job in how nutritious they’re. That’s how some mussels find yourself with fewer vitamins, equivalent to a decrease proportion of fatty acids.
Inexperienced lipped mussels are one of the crucial sustainable types of aquaculture, however the place they’re sourced from can have an effect on their high quality. To ensure a excessive proportion of omega-3 fatty acids, the mussels ought to come from a good farmer in one of many best-performing areas. The farmers ought to know the most effective time to reap the mussels in every bay.
All merchandise are manufactured in a different way, but it surely’s vital to make sure the vitamins aren’t cooked out of the mussels. Many corporations freeze-dry the mussels, which can barely injury the vitamins, however not sufficient to break the standard. Nonetheless, utilizing a fast vacuum-drying course of is extra prone to preserve all of the important elements secure. Cooking the mussels for too lengthy might take away too many vitamins.

The corporate also needs to have a stable high quality test earlier than the dietary supplements go available on the market. Many corporations will take a look at the degrees of all of the traits, together with bioactivity, oxidative stability, and the degrees of all of the omega fatty acids. It could be difficult to search out out all of the manufacturing info of those merchandise, however in the event you can, it may enable you to make an informed determination.
How Can You Serve Inexperienced Lipped Mussels to Your Canine?
The commonest technique to serve inexperienced lipped mussels to pets is to make use of joint powder. It won’t be interesting to your canine by itself, however you’ll be able to sprinkle it on their meals to present them the advantages. The powder is normally fabricated from 100% inexperienced lipped mussels. The mussels may also be freeze-dried, which is an effective way to maintain the vitamins intact. Freeze-dried complete mussels is usually a crunchy snack for canines.
Some joint dietary supplements additionally embrace inexperienced lipped mussels as one in all their helpful elements. Dietary supplements within the type of treats are nice for choosy eaters as a result of your canine will assume they’re getting a snack as a substitute of a wholesome meal enhancer. You might even discover some pet food with inexperienced lipped mussels as an ingredient.
Whichever kind of complement you select, it’s a good suggestion to speak to your vet about it first. Additionally, test the label your self to make sure that it solely consists of secure, helpful elements.
Choosy Canines Rejoice!
Should you’re nervous about your canine’s joints however they’re bored with most dietary supplements, giving inexperienced lipped mussels within the type of a deal with could be helpful for them. After all, you’ll nonetheless need to be sure to select a dependable firm that makes use of elements you are feeling comfy giving to your canine.
The iHeartDogs Superior 8-in-1 Hip & Joint Chews are an effective way to enhance your canine’s mobility with out them realizing they’re taking a complement. The eight key elements are Glucosamine HCI, omega-rich natural hemp powder, MSM, chondroitin, inexperienced lipped mussels, natural turmeric, and Boswellia serrata. Collectively, they may also help cut back irritation and enhance joint operate.
These tasty chews may also help cut back ache, forestall long-term injury, and enhance mobility. Plus, each bag bought gives 14 wholesome meals for shelter canines. So, serving to your pup’s well being also can profit canines in want!
It’s heartbreaking to observe your canine battle with joint ache, particularly when some medicines solely appear to make it worse. Should you’re nervous about your furry buddy’s mobility, inexperienced lipped mussels could be the answer. These particular New Zealand mollusks are a secure, pure technique to forestall arthritis for each people and canines.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings