Hyaluronic acid (HA) is present in the joint fluid of dogs.
However, it can also be additionally given as a joint supplement to provide benefits to joint function in older dogs.
As a part of the glycosaminoglycan molecule class, hyaluronic acid is a molecular compound that draws water to create lubrication and absorb shock in joints.
That’s all well and good, but what you may really be after in reading this article is the correct hyaluronic acid dosage for canines.
While it depends on many different factors such as age, size, and phase of medication, dogs generally require very little amounts of HA when it is supplemented- especially if it is high quality.
For liquid forms of hyaluronic acid, merely around 5 to 15 milliliters will be sufficient.
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Hyaluronic Acid For Dogs Dosage
Hyaluronic acid for dogs dosage depends on a few different factors: age, size, and medication phase– depending on the type of hyaluronic acid used.
When in an earlier hyaluronic acid treatment phase, dogs will typically require a higher dose as with most medications.
Hyaluronic acid was previously only administered intravenously by injection, but medical authorities have recently approved it for oral administration. These oral forms of hyaluronic acid are most often hyaluronan, a specific variety of hyaluronic acid.
Liquid forms of hyaluronic acid, such as LubriSyn, typically call for between 5 and 15 milliliters per day for dogs depending on their weight, with 5 milliliters for dogs under thirty pounds and 15 milliliters for dogs over 100 pounds.
Another well-known brand, HyaFlex, recommends one milliliter per day but also makes considerations for body weight.
Halo K9, which claims to be one of the purest hyaluronic acid compound supplements on the pet market, requires more. At a quarter of an ounce dose for maintenance supplements for dogs under 100 pounds, it equates to a little over seven milliliters.
Overall, the hyaluronic acid for dogs dosage is relatively low, with only a few milliliters administered each day unless a dog is much larger. At this point, owners may administer a few extra milliliters.
The main factors determining dosage are the hyaluronic product’s composition, with purer hyaluronans requiring lower doses than products with a lower hyaluronic compound for maximum effect.
When shopping for hyaluronic acid supplements or brands to help treat your dog, it is important to remember a few key details to find the most effective supplement.
Hyaluronic acid is most effective in a liquid form, which should be a clear, thick fluid that looks similar to the fluid naturally present in dogs’ joints. It should also have a high molecular weight, meaning that it is like the body’s fluid.
When considering the hyaluronic acid for dogs dosage, the key idea is that no one amount works for dogs. It depends on the manufacturer’s formula, how early into the hyaluronic acid treatment a dog is, and the dog’s size.
The hyaluronic acid for dogs dosage is more often than not a relatively small amount in liquid form, less than an ounce or only a few milliliters.
Hyaluronic Acid Uses
Hyaluronic acid is a popular treatment for joint pain or other joint-related ailments in dogs, often prescribed by a vet or available as a supplement.
Along with Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and MSM, HA can offer an alternative to traditional anti-inflammatories.
Hyaluronic acid has a long history in clinical trials of being used to treat pain, assist with increasing mobility, and improving pain management in dogs, especially when compared with typical medications.
Overall, hyaluronic acid is an efficient choice to help dogs with joint pain and movement. When administered to dogs in a regimen or just after a procedure, it can improve dogs’ quality of life and activity.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is sometimes called hyaluronan, sodium hyaluronate, or HA. It is a naturally-occurring substance in many animals’ bodies, including dogs.
It makes up synovial fluids in the skin, cartilage, eyes, and joints and promotes lubrication and tissue moisture. It also helps to provide a cushion in the joints- like a spring- to keep joints moving.
Hyaluronic acid has been used by vets for decades on larger animals, particularly horses, and has been noted more recently for its effectiveness in smaller animals like dogs.
Nutritional Supplements for the Veterinary Practice describes how manufacturers create the hyaluronic extract supplement in a few different ways. For example, there are natural extractions, where the hyaluronic acid comes from bovine tracheas or rooster combs.
Most commonly, however, hyaluronic acid is created in a lab with a patented recipe process of fermenting a non-disease-causing variety of Streptococcus spp. The Streptococcus organisms generate a layer of hyaluronic acid that is removed and purified into a supplement.
Vets commonly prescribe hyaluronic acid to treat pain, arthritis, and hip or elbow dysplasia. It is also widely used by vets after surgery to help prevent pain and prevent any adverse effects.
How Will Hyaluronic Acid Affect My Dog?
The good news is that hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in dogs’ bodies and will not negatively affect them.
Hyaluronic acid is a popular injection and ingredient present in many joint health supplements for dogs, so it is a well-known and well-studied remedy.
Vets commonly use hyaluronic acid to treat dogs for dysplasia symptoms in the hips and elbows. Its frequent use in veterinary medicine is an entirely natural, therefore much healthier, supplement for dogs.
A study conducted by a Brazilian team comparing the effects of hyaluronic acid and the use of other typical medications found that dogs treated with hyaluronic acid had an improvement in their condition by at least 30% within 12 weeks.
The researchers found HA to have higher effectiveness than other medications typically prescribed to dogs following injury or surgery, likely due to its natural occurrence in canine joints and tissues.
In the same study, 75% of owners whose dogs underwent treatment with hyaluronic acid noted an improvement of “very good to excellent” quality of life in their pets from their previous conditions due to hyaluronic acid’s role relieving joint and chronic pain.
Numerous studies have shown hyaluronic acid to increase functional activity and assist with pain management. One study saw a 50% improvement in dogs displaying elbow dysplasia symptoms over the control group, showing great effectiveness.
Based on these studies’ results and its history as a vet-favored supplement for other animals, hyaluronic acid will positively affect your dog by improving any mobility issues, reducing joint pain, and increasing overall pet quality of life by replenishing this natural substance.
Heather Abraham is a professional blogger who owns two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a leopard gecko. She has a connection with animals since she was a child. She shares her love for all pet breeds and provides information on pet food, toys, medications, beds, and everything else.
She is committed to learning about the internal workings of animals. Her work permits her to work closely with knowledgeable vets and obtain practical expertise in animal care. When she is not working, her love of animals continues in her writing. Her goal is to educate and uplift readers who also have a passion for animals through her writing.