Inflammation

At a Glance

Acupuncture is a treatment that uses carefully selected points on the body to communicate with the nervous system. These points are chosen because they are especially good at sending signals through nerves and connective tissue. Stimulating them can affect how the brain processes pain, muscle tension, and inflammation. For this reason, acupuncture is often used as a supportive therapy alongside other veterinary care.

At a Glance

Apoquel/ Oclacitinib) (JAK Inhibitor) is an oral medication that reduces inflammation and itching in allergic dogs. While highly effective, some holistic veterinarians raise concerns about its immune-modulating effects and prefer long-term dietary and environmental allergy management.

At a Glance

FHO Surgery (Femoral Head Ostectomy) removes the head and neck of the femur (thigh bone) to eliminate bone-on-bone contact in the hip joint, reducing pain from hip dysplasia, trauma, or severe arthritis. Instead of a traditional ball-and-socket joint, the body forms a “false joint” made of scar tissue and muscle to support movement. This surgery is most effective in small to medium-sized dogs, though larger dogs may need intensive physical therapy for optimal function.

At a Glance

Hydrotherapy for dogs refers to structured exercise performed in water to support mobility, recovery, and muscle strength while reducing strain on joints. Because water partially supports the body and provides natural resistance, dogs can move in ways that may feel easier than on land. In healthy dogs, coordinated movement depends on balanced muscles, flexible joints, and clear communication between the nervous system and limbs. When injury, aging, or chronic strain disrupts that balance, water-based exercise and clinical hydrotherapy can help rebuild strength and restore safer movement patterns.

At a Glance

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment made by drawing a small amount of a dog’s blood and processing it to concentrate the platelets, which are cells that release natural healing factors. When injected back into injured tissues, PRP can help reduce inflammation, support repair of joints, ligaments, or wounds, and may lessen reliance on pharmaceuticals.

At a Glance

Maintaining oral hygiene helps prevent plaque buildup, gum disease, and systemic infections that can affect the heart, kidneys, and digestive health. Regular brushing, dental chews, and professional cleanings reduce the risk of periodontal disease, bad breath, and tooth loss.

At a Glance

Dental chews for dogs are chewable products designed to reduce plaque through physical contact with the teeth during chewing. They matter because plaque is the starting point for tartar buildup and gum inflammation, which can progress into more serious dental disease over time. When they work well, they help slow buildup by creating friction along the tooth surface. When they fall short, it is usually because there is not enough chewing time, not enough abrasive texture, or not enough contact with the teeth and gumline.

At a Glance

Digestion supplements support gut health, nutrient absorption, and balanced digestion, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs or chronic conditions like IBD or pancreatitis. Probiotics, enzymes, and fiber-based supplements help maintain a strong digestive system and prevent issues like diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.

At a Glance

Regular grooming supports a dog’s skin, coat, and overall hygiene, helping to prevent matting, infections, and irritation. Bathing, brushing, and nail trimming keep dogs comfortable, while monitoring for changes can help detect underlying health issues early.

At a Glance

Healthy weight management for dogs aims to maintain an optimal dog body condition, not just a target weight. Dog obesity increases joint stress and metabolic risk, while being underweight can signal poor nutrition, muscle loss, or underlying illness. Regular body condition scoring with veterinary input helps caregivers track trends and keep dogs in a healthier middle range.

At a Glance

Mental enrichment keeps dogs engaged and prevents boredom, frustration, and cognitive decline by encouraging problem-solving and natural instincts. Activities like puzzle toys, scent work, training, and interactive play stimulate a dog’s brain, reducing anxiety and promoting overall well-being.

At a Glance

Strength and mobility conditioning helps dogs build and maintain muscle to support joints, prevent injuries, and slow the progression of mobility-related conditions. Targeted exercises, weight-bearing activities, and physical therapy improve flexibility, balance, and overall movement, benefiting both young and aging dogs.

At a Glance

Chronic stress and anxiety disrupt a dog’s emotional balance, immune function, digestion, and long-term health. Supporting emotional well-being through a stable environment, physical and mental enrichment, and targeted nutrition helps dogs feel secure and resilient.

At a Glance

This peer-reviewed veterinary review, published in JAVMA (2015), highlights the role of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in dogs and cats. It explains that linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are essential in the canine diet, DHA is conditionally essential for puppies, and dogs convert less than 10% of ALA into EPA and DHA—making direct dietary sources like fish or algae oils an important part of canine nutrition.

At a Glance

This 2008 laboratory study investigated whether piperine, the active compound in black pepper, could help reduce inflammation and joint damage in arthritis. Researchers tested piperine on human joint cells from arthritis patients and rats with induced arthritis to observe its effects on inflammatory pathways and pain response. The results showed that piperine reduced key inflammatory markers (IL-6, PGE2) and enzymes that contribute to cartilage breakdown (MMP-13, COX-2). Rats treated with piperine also experienced less joint swelling, improved movement, and reduced pain sensitivity.

At a Glance

A 2024 feeding trial in healthy adult dogs tested purified beta-1,3/1,6-glucans sourced from yeast. At a 0.14% inclusion in dry food, dogs showed improved protein digestibility, a microbiome shift toward generally beneficial bacteria, and a small uptick in an immune balance marker, with no adverse clinical effects noted. The authors frame beta-glucans as a family of fibers also found in fungi such as mushrooms, so these yeast results help inform the broader beta-glucan conversation.

At a Glance

This 2024 randomized, double-blinded clinical trial tested daily oral prebiotics in dogs with mild inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic intestinal condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to food and normal gut bacteria, disturbing the microbiota (“dysbiosis”). Over 60 days on a standardized hypoallergenic diet, beta-glucan supplementation improved bacterial diversity and supported groups often reduced in dysbiosis; adding mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) did not show clear extra benefit. Dogs stayed clinically stable and the products were well tolerated.

At a Glance

This 2013 review looks at the possible risks of omega-3 fatty acids in dogs and cats, especially EPA and DHA from fish oil. While omega-3s are commonly used to support skin, joint, heart, and kidney health, the authors explain that high amounts can sometimes cause issues like GI upset, changes in clotting, oxidative stress, immune shifts, or slower wound healing. The paper also stresses that plant-based ALA is not the same as EPA and DHA, so the source of omega-3s matters when considering both benefits and risks.

At a Glance

The 2021 review article by Tanprasertsuk et al. synthesizes existing research to provide a clear picture of how natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and herbs—like carotenoids, polyphenols, and phytosterols—may support dogs' overall well-being.

At a Glance

A 16-week clinical study in 29 pet dogs found that daily omega-3 supplementation from anchovy and sardine oils significantly increased the Omega-3 Index in all size groups and reduced owner-reported pain in small and medium dogs. Large dogs did not show the same pain improvement, likely because fixed-size capsules delivered a lower mg/kg dose. No adverse effects were reported.

At a Glance

This 2020 review examines the relationship between Vitamin K status and osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on how Vitamin K influences cartilage calcification, inflammation, and joint degeneration. The findings suggest that sufficient Vitamin K levels may help slow OA progression by regulating proteins that prevent abnormal calcium buildup in joints. While the study focuses on human OA research, it may have implications for canine joint health and mobility.

At a Glance

This 2018 review, published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, examined how boron influences bone strength, mineral metabolism, immune balance, and inflammation across multiple animal species. While dogs were not directly studied, the findings suggest boron may play a similar role in supporting canine joint health and overall resilience, though more research is needed to confirm its effects.

At a Glance

This systematic review evaluates the therapeutic effects of EPA and DHA in treating various diseases in dogs and cats. Twenty-three randomized studies were analyzed, with benefits seen in both neoplastic (cancer-related) and non-neoplastic conditions such as allergic dermatitis, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and haircoat disorders. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of EPA and DHA, through suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, are highlighted as key mechanisms for their therapeutic effects.

At a Glance

This 2018 review explains how pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy delivers carefully timed bursts of electromagnetic energy to stimulate tissue repair. Evidence supports its use in bone healing, osteoarthritis, wound healing, and post-operative pain and swelling. The paper emphasizes that different PEMF devices vary widely in waveform design, which determines whether they efficiently trigger biological cascades such as nitric oxide signaling. Veterinary studies are promising, but more controlled trials are needed to guide routine use.

At a Glance

This 2020 review article, published in Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, examined vitamin C in the health and disease of dogs and cats. The authors summarize evidence that while dogs and cats can produce their own vitamin C, levels fall during illness, raising interest in supplementation as a low-cost, low-risk therapy to support critically ill patients.

At a Glance

This 2016 laboratory study in rats and human-derived cell cultures investigated whether vitamin C could help protect cartilage from osteoarthritis (OA)-related damage. The study found that vitamin C reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cartilage breakdown in a rat model of OA, suggesting potential benefits. However, this research was not conducted in dogs, so its relevance to canine health is uncertain. Interestingly, higher doses of vitamin C were not more effective, meaning there may be an optimal amount beyond which additional vitamin C does not provide extra protection.

At a Glance

This 2016 review article surveyed what was known about vitamin K2 across species. The authors explain how K2 activates proteins that regulate bone and cartilage health, blood clotting, inflammation, kidney function, and vascular calcification. They also highlight a gap in companion animal nutrition: most commercial pet foods use synthetic K3 (menadione), which does not provide the same benefits as natural K2. The paper underscores the need for targeted research to understand whether dogs and cats could gain broader health advantages from true K2.