Joint issues in dogs: How your dog's gut could be to blame

Key Takeaways:

- When dysbiosis, or an unbalanced gut microbiome, is left untreated, it can cause inflammation and what is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This inflammation can spread to the joints, muscles and tendons, and worsen existing joint conditions like arthritis. - Rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, is a common joint condition that is directly linked to dysbiosis and inflammation.

- The best way to rule out dysbiosis is with a Gut Health Test for dogs.

Joint issues aren’t always reserved for senior dogs, and can be a common ailment that impacts them at any age, stopping them from running, jumping, walking and living life to the fullest.

Joint issues in dogs can develop for multiple reasons, but did you know that their gut health and their gut microbiome can be one of them?

With guidance from our Head of Microbiology, Dr Bushra Schuitemaker, we've explored how your dog’s joint health is linked to their gut and microbiome, and what you can do to help them feel back on track and prevent worsened symptoms.

How are your dog’s joint issues linked to their gut health?

When your dog’s gut is healthy, it can function like a well-oiled machine, supporting bodily functions and the overall health of your dog. And a healthy gut ultimately comes down to the ecosystem of bacteria that lives within it. Otherwise know as, their gut microbiome.

A healthy gut microbiome is one where the bacteria or microbiota are rich and balanced, meaning not one particular bacteria is outgrowing the others, and there’s a healthy amount of all the necessary genus groups.

Each species and genus group help support and contribute to the function of many crucial processes in your dog’s body. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Digestion

• Immunity

• Overall gut health

• Skin and coat health

And of course, their joint health.

However, when there’s an unequal balance, this causes a halt in the smooth functioning of all these bodily processes. Dogs suffering from this are known as having dysbiosis, and this can lead to a number of detrimental symptoms.

When dysbiosis sets in and is left untreated, it can cause inflammation and what is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This is when harmful bacteria and other toxins leak through a now weakened gut wall, and travel around the rest of the body, spreading inflammation.

This inflammation can spread to the joints, muscles and tendons, and worsen existing joint conditions like arthritis. This clear link between the gut and their joint health is referred to as the 'gut-joint axis'.

Can poor gut health in dogs cause arthritis?

Poor gut health and a leaky gut doesn't directly cause arthritis in dogs, but can certainly speed up its development and drastically worsen symptoms.

For instance, Rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, is a common joint condition that is directly linked to an imbalance in the gut (dysbiosis) and inflammation. In these cases, their immune system attacks the joints and cartilage, mistaking it for something toxic. This can be triggered by the effects of leaky gut syndrome, where the gut lining has allowed toxins to circulate around the body.

This isn't to say that balancing their microbiome and restoring their gut health can cure arthritis, but it can definitely reduce inflammation and make symptoms more bearable.

Which gut bacteria support joint health in dogs?

If we took a microscope to a healthy dog’s gut microbiome, you’d find equal proportions of Phascolarctobacterium, Faecalibacterium and Megamonas, which actively work towards supporting their joint health, amongst other areas.

These genus groups in particular are crucial for senior dogs, who are more likely to suffer from joint issues.

How do you know if your dog's gut health is impacting their joints?

The only way to investigate the health of their gut, and the ecosystem of bacteria within it, and indicate an imbalance (or dysbiosis) is via a Gut Health Test.

With a Pooch & Mutt Gut Health Test, we gain a representative outlook of the bacteria within your dog’s gut by analysing a sample of their poop. From this, alongside information about their age, breed, weight, medical history and lifestyle, we can accurately asses how well equipped your dog's gut is to support other areas of the body, including their joints, as well as its resilience and ability to fight inflammation. By assessing the health of their gut microbiome in this way, we can see what they need to naturally restore balance within their gut, and help maintain their overall health which includes their joints & mobility.

Signs and symptoms of joint issues in dogs

Joint issues can be difficult to diagnose without expert help. However, dogs suffering from joint pain often display certain signs and symptoms that can indicate to you that further investigation is needed.

Signs and symptoms of joint issues in dogs can include:

• Limping

• Mood changes

• Licking the area that hurts

• Reduced movement

• Whimpering when doing strenuous activity

• A reluctance to climb stairs or jump on/off the sofa

• Stopping during walks

If you fear your dog is suffering from joint issues, be sure to check in with your vet.

Other causes of joint issues in dogs

Whilst dysbiosis can be a main contributor, there are other factors that can lead to joint issues in dogs. By ruling out dysbiosis, you can better navigate your investigation and target their treatment.

Other causes of joint issues in dogs include:

• Obesity. Your dog being overweight can cause strain on their joints.

• Breed & Genetics. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to joint issues than others.

• Injury. Dogs are energetic creatures! Amongst jumping off the bed or running around fields, they may have caused some damage to their joints or ligaments.

• Cancer & Tumours. Tumours can put pressure on the joints, causing pain. If your dog is showing signs of pain in their joints, alongside other worrying symptoms, be sure to consult your vet.

How to help your dog with joint issues

There are lots of ways you can help treat joint issues in dogs, each one depending on the root cause and severity of their problems. especially if they’re suffering from more severe joint pain.

These include:

• Diet & supplements that target joint health. If a Gut Health Test has highlighted dysbiosis as the main root cause of your dog’s joint issues, then Gut Health Supplements, alongside changes in diet, can help alleviate some symptoms. That said, even if dysbiosis isn't the main cause, poor gut health can certainly worsen inflammation and joint pain. So, focusing on bettering their gut health through diet and supplements is a great step, for any dog, towards helping symptoms be a little more bearable.

• Hydrotherapy & Massage treatment. If your dog is particularly suffering from joint pain due to illness or age, your vet may recommend hydrotherapy or massage treatments. Hydrotherapy is water therapy, which is a less intrusive way of exercising dogs that puts less pressure on their joints.

• Massage therapy is where your dog's joints and muscles are gently massaged to relieve pain and pressure. If you’re interested in exploring these methods for your dog, be sure to consult your vet.

• Gentle exercise. When your dog is experiencing joint issues, you should reduce the amount of exercise that they do. However, some gentle exercise will prevent their joints from getting stiff. Be sure to consult your vet before doing any exercise with your dog with joint issues.

• Weight management. If your dog is suffering from joint issues and they’re overweight, include weight management in their treatment. Dogs who are overweight or obese have extra pressure on the joints, which will worsen symptoms.

• Adapting their lifestyle and environment. This might look like reducing the length of their walks, being mindful of where you’re taking them and investing in a dog stroller, dog carrier, stairs, or slopes around the house to relieve pressure on their joints.

What's the best diet for dogs with joint issues?

The best diet for a dog with joint issues focuses on using natural superfoods, vitamins, and minerals that are proven to specifically support and maintain their joint and mobility health.

When looking for the best diet to support their joints, it's great to keep these in mind when scanning ingredients lists:

• Salmon Oil & Green-Lipped Mussels, providing Omega-3 Fatty Acids that have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Collagen, which supports the strength and longevity of their joints and connective tissue.

• Turmeric & Boswellia Serrata are both naturally anti-inflammatory.

• Blueberries, which are naturally packed with anti-oxidants that help support and maintain joint health.

• Glucosamine & Chondroitin are commonly found in most joint supporting foods and supplements, and support strong cartilage and movement.

• And of course, Prebiotics and Probiotics to support their gut health.

For that added support, everyday joint supplements can add extra, concentrated goodness to their diet.

Conducting a Gut Health Test for your dog with joint issues could be the first step in their treatment and potentially their recovery journey.

Explore more about Pooch & Mutt’s Gut Health Test and Gut Health Supplements, or reach out to our expert team for further advice.