Many people make the mistake of waiting for their dogs to show signs of joint pain before addressing it. I start supporting my dogs’ joint health the second they join my family because I’ve learned that it’s better for them that I’m proactive, not reactive.
It starts with switching them from kibble to a fresh food diet. I know that not all dry dog food is bad. Many dogs eat it and do fine. But let’s be honest, kibble isn’t ideal for dogs. This isn’t judgment or shaming, it’s truth backed by science.
Research shows that highly processed dry food can make it harder to support your dog’s joints for a few simple reasons.
1. Processing can create inflammatory compounds
Dry dog food is made using high heat during a process called extrusion.
This process can create compounds called AGEs.
AGEs form when sugars attach to proteins or fats during high-heat cooking and are linked to:
inflammation
cell damage
faster aging
And inflammation plays a big role in joint pain and stiffness.
2. Weight gain puts stress on joints
Dogs who carry extra weight put more pressure on their:
hips
knees
elbows
spine
This can increase the risk of arthritis and make joint pain worse.
Keeping dogs lean is one of the most important ways to protect their joints. But it’s not easy for every dog, especially if they have arthritis. Focusing on gut health, creating a gentle exercise routine, and incorporating more raw meaty bones into the diet has helped my dogs shed pounds.
3. Fat balance matters
Some processed diets contain more omega-6 fats than omega-3 fats.
Omega-6 fats get a bad rap because of dry dog food, but they aren’t bad. Omega-6 fats support heart, brain, and skin health and help strengthen the immune system. The issue isn’t the inclusion of Omega-6 fats; it’s that too many can support inflammation.
Omega-3 fats help calm inflammation, which is especially important for dogs with stiff or sore joints.
Why Fresh Food Helps Support Joint Health
Fresh food gives pet parents more control over what goes into their dog’s body.
Fresh diets often provide:
more moisture (helps keep tissues healthy)
more natural omega-3 fats
more antioxidants from whole foods
better calorie control to maintain a healthy weight
Fresh feeding is not magic. It works best when meals are balanced (I balance over time) and paired with daily exercise.
Fresh Foods That Support Joint Health
You can add small amounts of these foods to your dog’s regular meals to support joint health. This is a list of foods I give to my dogs.
Omega-3-rich foods | Collagen-rich foods (see Real Dog Box) | Other anti-inflammatory foods |
|---|---|---|
EPA+DHA to reduce inflammation | Supports joints, tendons, and ligaments | Potent antioxidant properties |
Beef tendons | ||
Salmon* | Chicken feet | Turmeric (golden paste) |
Duck Feet | ||
Mackerel | Bone broth | Blueberries |
Other fatty fish or Omega-3 oil (fish, wild-caught salmon, or algae) | Leafy greens and broccoli sprouts |
*I rotate sardines, salmon, and green-lipped mussels in my dogs’ meals because they’re easy for me to find locally. Here in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific salmon should be cooked to prevent salmon poisoning. When I feed Atlantic salmon, I source it from a trusted supplier and serve it raw. I also avoid farm-raised fish due to concerns about chemical exposure.
Why Exercise is a Crucial Step to Maintain Healthy Joints
Joints are meant to move, and daily movement helps:
build muscle
maintain a healthy weight
improve flexibility
reduce stiffness
Muscle is very important because it helps protect joints. The best exercise is:
low-impact
consistent
right for your dog’s age and health
Dogs with arthritis often do better with short walks several times a day rather than one long walk. I walk Zoey around our property once or twice daily. We take our time, allowing her to walk up and down hills, and explore and sniff. I let her determine the pace.
We typically do one or two laps around the property.
Joint Support by Life Stage
Life Stage | Main Goal | Daily Exercise | Avoid | Joint-Friendly Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Puppy | Protect growing joints while building coordination | Several short play sessions daily + gentle walks and sniff time | Long jogs, lots of stairs, nonstop fetch, forced exercise | Sniff walks, short training sessions, gentle play with breaks, light hill walking |
Adolescent | Build muscle safely (muscle protects joints) | 45–90 minutes total per day (split into 2–4 sessions) | Too much repetitive impact while growth plates are still developing | Structured walks, hiking on soft trails, swimming, sit-to-stand exercises, controlled tug, balance games |
Adult | Maintain lean muscle and mobility | 60–120 minutes total per day (split into at least 2 sessions) | Long periods of inactivity followed by intense exercise | Walking, hiking, strength-based play, training games, hill walking |
Senior | Maintain mobility and prevent muscle loss | 30–60 minutes total per day (split into multiple sessions) | Overexertion or long, high-impact exercise | Short walks, slow leash walks, sniff walks, gentle strength exercises |
Senior with Early Arthritis | Reduce stiffness while maintaining movement | Start with 10 minutes, 3x per day (adjust as needed) | Long walks or activities that increase next-day stiffness | Short, frequent walks, gentle mobility exercises, rehab therapy (under veterinary guidance) |
Reminder: Exercise should leave your dog feeling better, not worse. If your dog limps or seems more stiff the next day, reduce activity and talk with your veterinarian.
How I Support My Dogs’ Joint Health
Having four dogs at different life stages, I’ve had to figure out how to support each of them individually while keeping things simple. I start with a fresh-food diet, following the Ancestral Model as taught by the Feed Real Institute, and I alternate it with balanced grinds formulated with Animal Diet Formulator software.
When stacking supplements, I initially follow the label dose, then adjust based on each dog’s needs.
Dog | Daily Anchor (pick 1) | Rotating Booster (pick 1 per day, rotate) | Bonus (optional, a few days/week) | Simple daily exercise target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zoey 12-years | Omega-3: salmon/fish oil, or 1–2 sardines Bone broth as a meal topper | Green-lipped mussel (powder or whole) or golden paste 1/4–1/2 tsp | UC-II, WINPRO Hip & Joint, CBD oil, MYOS | Short + frequent: 10–15 min walks 2–3x/day + 3–5 min gentle mobility (sit-to-stand, slow leash loops). |
Apollo 7-years | Omega-3: salmon/fish oil or 2–3 sardines Bone broth as a meal topper | Green-lipped mussel or chicken/duck feet 2–4x/week | WINPRO Hip & Joint, UC-II, MYOS | 45–75 min/day split into 2 sessions. Add low-impact strength 3–4x/week: hill walks, sit-to-stand. |
Bella 3-years | Omega-3: salmon/fish oil or 1–2 sardines Bone broth as a meal topper | Green-lipped mussel or golden paste 1/8–1/4 tsp | Chicken/duck feet several times/week, WINPRO Hip & Joint | 60–90 min/day split into 2–3 sessions. Include 10 min/day of brain work (sniffing, training). |
Buffy 1-year | Omega-3: salmon/fish oil or 1 sardine Bone broth as a meal topper | green-lipped mussel (powder or 1 mussel) | Chicken/duck feet several times/week | 45–75 min/day split into 3–4 sessions. Focus on controlled movement (sniff walks, training, balanced play). |
Small daily habits can make a big difference in your dog’s comfort and mobility over time. I’m careful about repetitive play that may be hard on my dogs’ joints. The PNW rain can make the grass slick, increasing stress on my dogs' joints when they run and stop. To lower the risk of injury, I break up fetch games with sniff walks and training.
All of my dogs are doing great. Zoey does have arthritis, but it’s being managed with diet and supplementation. Since switching her to a therapeutic dosage of Omega-3 fatty acids, I’ve been able to skip pain medication.
Read more about the supplements I use, including a comparison and dosage for my dogs: Best Joint Support for Dogs: Omega-3 Oils, Whole Foods, and Supplements Compared