Skip to content
Keep Your Pet Moving: How Minerals Support Joint Health
|
Read Time 6 min
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. This content should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition or health issue. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Many dogs and cats get stiff joints as they age. A mineral supplement can help.
Pets become more fragile as they get older. Their joints are less flexible and more vulnerable to injury, which can leave them struggling to stay mobile. Some dog breeds are especially prone to joint problems, and almost all cats develop joint issues later in life.
If you’ve noticed that your pet is walking more gingerly than usual, joint pain may be the cause. A good mineral supplement can help support your pet’s mobility, easing discomfort and keeping your pet moving well into old age.
Why Does Joint Pain Happen in Pets?
Most joint problems in pets come from osteoarthritis, which involves the breakdown of cartilage in joints. [ * ]
Your pet’s joints are made primarily of two proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen provides structure, while elastin keeps joints flexible and maintains range of motion.
Collagen and elastin are constantly renewing themselves to keep joints pliable. Their synthesis demands large amounts of minerals, most notably magnesium, manganese, copper, selenium, and zinc. [ * ]
www.Envato.com
As pets age, their bodies have to work harder to maintain cartilage. Collagen and elastin synthesis become less efficient, requiring more minerals to keep up the same level of repair. [ * ]
If your pet isn’t getting the minerals it needs, collagen and elastin synthesis decrease.[ * ][ * ] Your pet’s cartilage becomes more brittle and range of motion shortens.
The result is a gradual stiffening of joints. It’s especially common for pets to get osteoarthritis in their knees and hips.
The following are signs of joint pain in your cat or dog :
Stiff or limping movement
Reluctance to move
Slower running or walking
Decreased appetite
Lethargy
Sudden irritability, biting, or scratching, especially when joints are touched
Trouble moving up or down stairs
Difficulty jumping (e.g. onto the couch)
Frequently licking specific joints
If you notice several of the above behaviors in your pets, they may need additional joint support.
Joint Problems in Dogs: Breed Matters
Certain dog breeds are genetically predisposed to joint problems. Purebreds often inherit genetic defects from their parents. Mutts, meanwhile, are less likely to have health problems, as their parents’ gene pool is usually more diverse.
Size also plays a role in joint issues. Broadly speaking, larger breeds have a higher risk of joint problems as they age. Overweight dogs also put excess stress on their joints, which can cause joint pain later in life.
If your dog is one of the breeds listed below, consider adding minerals to their food when they’re young. If your dog is already older, don’t worry—the best time to start is now! Minerals can help at any age, and are especially important for breeds with known joint problems.
Dog breeds prone to joint issues : [ * ][ * ]
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Rottweiler
German Shepherd
Border Collie
English Springer
Springer Spaniel
Boxer
www.Envato.com
www.Envato.com
Joint Problems in Cats: Age, not Breed Matters
Unlike dogs, cats are not genetically predisposed to arthritis by breed. [ * ]
In cats, the biggest predictor of joint problems is age. Because cats live so long, almost all of them develop joint issues at some point in their lives.
According to a 2012 study, 82% of cats over age 14 have arthritis in at least one joint . [ * ] Problems can also start earlier: 61% of cats have joint pain by age 12.
Size also plays a role—so while genetics don’t matter in cats, larger breeds like Maine Coons may experience extra stress on their joints. And like with dogs, if your cat is overweight, it’s especially prone to joint problems.
How Minerals Support Your Pet’s Joint Health
Pets need more nutrients as they age: more protein, more healthy fats, more antioxidants, and more minerals. [ * ] That’s why pet food is typically graded by age range. Nutritional needs change a lot over time.
But even if you’re feeding your pet top-shelf food, it may not be enough. Because pet food is an unregulated industry, producers can put whatever they want on their labels. Promises like “nutritionally complete” are often untrue, even with more expensive brands.
For example, a 2016 study did nutritional analyses on 20 common brands of cat food. They compared their findings to the nutrients listed on the label.
The researchers found that of the 20 cat food brands, 17 were nutritionally incomplete, and 8 were lacking in nutrients enough to threaten a cat’s wellbeing over time. [ * ] Those shortfalls become especially important in old age, as even small mineral deficiencies can have a major impact on your pet’s joints.
If you want to be sure your pet is getting enough minerals, a full-spectrum supplement is your best bet.
That’s why we make Complete Canine Minerals and Complete Feline Minerals . They’re the same high-quality mineral supplements we make for people, with quantities tailored to your dog or cat’s needs.
All you do is add our liquid minerals to your pet’s water. They have no taste, so you don’t have to worry if your pet’s a picky eater (or drinker). You can find charts in the links above telling you the quantity to add, based on your pet’s weight.
Minerals are an important part of joint health for both cats and dogs, especially as they age. They’re a great way to support your pet through a long, comfortable life.
Related Blogs
Related Products
FAQs
Can I take BEAM Minerals with my other supplements?
Yes, in fact, BEAM Minerals will enhance the bioavailability of all your other supplements.
What is the difference between Micro-BOOST™ and Electrolyze™?
Electrolyze™ is primarily composed of Fulvic Mineral Complexes . Fulvic complexes are small molecules that provide inter-cellular transport for nutritional elements into the cells and carry bio-waste out of the cells. Fulvic complexes are flavonoids , which provide many benefits in the body.
Micro-BOOST™ is primarily composed of the Humic Mineral Complexes . Humic complexes are large molecules that are extra-cellular, meaning they do not enter the cells but stay outside the cells. They are highly-charged molecules that attract, through their electrical charge, bio-waste, free radicals and heavy metals. They ultimately carry bio-waste out of the body. Thus, we call them “Nature’s Janitor”.
How many milligrams (mg) of an electrolyte (Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, etc.) is there in BEAM Minerals?
The quantities of each element in BEAM Minerals products are measured in “parts per million” (ppm), rather than the “milligrams” (mg). Here is the information which usually helps to understand the difference:
Milligrams (mg) vs parts per million (ppm)
In comparing our products to other supplements, people want to know how much of an electrolyte is in our products (like potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium). Usually they are looking for an amount in milligrams (mg).
We have a hard time answering that question, because the electrolytes (and other elements) in BEAM Minerals products are measured in parts per million (ppm). So how can consumers compare?
The answer is a little complex, but here’s the high points.
The electrolytes in BEAM Minerals products are provided in “trace” amounts that are completely dissolved and thus 100% bio-available, immediately introduced into your circulation when you consumed them and will produce and active effect.
When you take a 320mg pill of magnesium, your body is only able utilize about 12-20% of it as it takes some time because your body has to digest it first. Whatever is not dissolved gets processed out of your body.
When you take a capful of liquid Electrolyze™ and/or Micro-BOOST™, you receive approximately 5.22 ppm of magnesium in which 100% of the magnesium is immediately available to your body. In addition, an important to know is that the magnesium in BEAM Minerals products stay in your system much longer building up healthy levels as you continue to take it daily.
