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When our dogs suffer from joint or back disease, this is often associated with joint pain. If your dog is affected, you certainly want to give him relief and improve his mobility. Of course, you can do this with normal conventional painkillers. In addition to conventional pain medication, however, there are also natural alternatives, such as the use of willow bark. In this article I take a closer look at the benefits of willow bark for joint pain in dogs.
What is willow bark? – Willow bark for joint pain in dogs
Willow bark, botanically known as Salix spp, has long been known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Willow bark contains natural compounds and in particular salicyl, which is converted into salicylic acid and has similar effects to the synthetic acetylsalicylic acid (ASA = aspirin).
A significant difference to aspirin is that the active ingredient is not administered in isolation, but the dog benefits from the entire active ingredient complex from the willow bark. These influence and complement each other and together make up the effect of willow bark.
In addition to salicin, willow bark also contains many other secondary plant substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids (kaempferol, quertecin and isoquercitrin). It also contains tannins.
Caution: Please never give your dog aspirin, as it is poisonous for him. The active ingredient in aspirin is also produced synthetically.
How does willow bark work?
The effect of willow bark is based on the inhibition of enzymes that are involved in the development of inflammation. This can help to reduce pain in the joints and also have a pain-relieving effect on back pain. Another benefit of willow bark is its positive effect on joint health. It can help to slow down the breakdown of cartilage and protect the joints from further damage. This is particularly important to slow down the progression of joint disease and improve your dog’s mobility in the long term.
How can willow bark be administered?
Willow bark for joint pain in dogs can be used simply in powder form or crushed into small pieces. You can simply add them to your dog’s food. With regard to dosage, it is best to follow the dosage instructions on the packaging or seek advice from your dog physiotherapist, veterinary practitioner or phytotherapist. Willow bark for joint pain in dogs
It is also important to consider possible interactions with other medications or health conditions.
How quickly does willow bark work?
As with all natural preparations and active ingredients, an effect does not usually occur immediately. You should therefore give the willow bark some time to develop its effect on your dog. It is not unusual for it to take 14 days or even longer, depending on the dog, for an effect to occur.
Further measures for joint pain
In addition to the use of willow bark, it is important to take a holistic approach to treating joint pain in dogs. This includes a balanced diet, appropriate exercise, weight control and measures such as physiotherapy or acupuncture.
Conclusion on the administration of willow bark for joint pain in dogs
Overall, the use of willow bark can be a natural and effective option for relieving joint pain in dogs. Their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties can help to improve your dog’s pain-free mobility and allow him to move more freely.
Would you like to learn more about pain in dogs and how to reliably recognize signs of pain? Then sign up for my free mini course “Recognizing signs of pain in dogs – incl. Checklist” on!
All the love, your Tina
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