Dogs, like humans, are subject to health problems.

Among them, our pets often face canine osteoarthritis and other joint disorders (arthritis, hip dysplasia, tendonitis, etc.).

To relieve their pain, Harpagophytum for dogs, more commonly called “Devil’s Claw” is a natural alternative to taking synthetic medications.

What is Devil’s Claw? How does this remedy work on your dog’s joint pain? How to use it? The Botaneo team explains.

 

What is Harpagophytum?

Devil’s claw, “Harpagophytum” or “Windhoek root”, is a plant of the Sesame family, native to the Kalahari desert in Namibia.

Recognized for its therapeutic virtues, this plant relieves pain, whether at the level of:

• joints
• muscles
• tendons

Used for thousands of years by the indigenous peoples of Africa, the use of devil’s claw in Europe dates back to the beginning of the 20th century.

It was GH Mehnert, a German soldier, who is said to have been the first to acquire phytotherapeutic knowledge from a Namibian.

However, it was not until 1953 that the plant was introduced to European lands.

It did not take long for doctors and scientists to notice the medicinal virtues and effectiveness of Harpagophytum on osteoarthritis and other joint pains.

Over the decades, much scientific research has been carried out on the properties of this plant.

Among them, several clinical trials have proven conclusive, both on animals and on humans, regarding the effectiveness of this natural medicine on joint problems.

To minimize the pain associated with osteoarthritis, taking devil’s claw would, among other things, allow you to:

• reduce stiffness
• improve mobility
• ease the pain

Some in vitro research has revealed that this medicinal plant also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties .

 

Relieve Your Dog’s Pain with Devil’s Claw

Did you know that dogs also suffer from osteoarthritis? In fact, 1 in 5 dogs would be victims of this progressive and painful joint disease after their 1 year.

Osteoarthritis in dogs is similar to osteoarthritis in humans. It involves the breakdown of the cartilage that covers the bones at the joints.

Over time, the absence of cartilage prevents proper “sliding” between certain bones (elbows, knees, wrists, etc.) and leads to a loss of mobility and pain that can be extremely disabling for your dog.

Faced with this joint disease (which is the most widespread in the world): devil’s claw. It stands out as a natural solution based on particularly effective plants to help your canine prevent and combat pain .

Benefits of Devil’s Claw on your pet

Far from being a miracle product, the therapeutic virtues of Harpagophytum have been proven more than once!

A plant used to relieve joint pain in dogs , this natural product provides many benefits to the body.

• What is the action of devil’s claw on the joints?

This plant acts on the pain linked to canine (or human!) osteoarthritis. Consumed, devil’s claw considerably reduces inflammation and acts as an excellent pain reliever for your dog .

For animals suffering from rheumatism, harpagophytum is an accessible health ally , non-harmful and without side effects .

But the action of devil’s claw is not limited to this aspect. Its consumption is also beneficial for your dog’s digestion.

A plant with a bitter taste, it acts on digestion and specifically on the gallbladder and the liver. It helps eliminate excess toxins that can cause increased pain intensity.

 

Directions for use and dosage

The use of the plant food supplement that is harpagophytum will not be the same depending on the age and size of the dog.

Just as you wouldn’t give the same dosage of medication to a child and an adult, you wouldn’t give the same dosage of devil’s claw to a young Chihuahua and an old German Shepherd.

Administration

Devil’s Claw for dogs is used for veterinary purposes .

There are two ways to administer the plant to your little furball:

• in powder
• in capsules

In both cases, the product must be mixed with the food.

Warning! Avoid devil’s claw sold for human use. Although less expensive, it is not recommended for animals. Be careful to choose a medicinal plant intended for dogs and cats .

There is another form of administration of devil’s claw. You can make a decoction based on dried roots of the plant and then either:

• apply it locally using a compress on the painful joint
• give her something to drink

Dosage

It is difficult to overdose on devil’s claw for dogs. However, it is important to respect the dosage to take full advantage of the beneficial effects of the plant.

The dosage depends on your pet’s weight.

• For a dog weighing less than 10 kg (Yorkshire, Chihuahua, Coton de Tuléar, etc.), administer 300 mg per day – 1 capsule
• For a dog weighing 10 to 20 kg (Austrian Pinscher, Irish Terrier, Staffie, etc.), administer 600 mg per day – 2 capsules
• For a dog weighing more than 20 kg (Braque, Labrador, German Shepherd, etc.), administer up to 900 mg per day – 3 capsules

For a perfect dose adjustment, you can contact a veterinarian to obtain additional information.

Again, there is no risk of overdose . Devil’s Claw is completely harmless.

Contraindications

Taking herbal medicines is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs.

This product is also not recommended for dogs suffering from:

• of diabetes
• heart failure
• renal failure
• gastric disorders (ulcers and gastritis)

Finally, if your pet is already on medication, check with your veterinarian before giving devil’s claw to your dog.

What You Need to Know About Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Not all 4-legged animals have the same predisposition to having osteoarthritis and various forms of this joint disease exist!

2 forms of osteoarthritis

There is not just one form of osteoarthritis in dogs. This joint disease is divided into two. We have:

• primary osteoarthritis
• secondary osteoarthritis

The first refers to the disease that affects the older dog. Senior dogs have a natural fragility of cartilage.

In fact, as with us humans, we see a generalized wear of the joints linked to the aging of the animal .

The second, rarer, is a form of osteoarthritis that follows a congenital malformation or a dislocation (dysplasia, dislocation, etc.). Following a shock or an accident, one of your pet’s joints may not function properly, causing osteoarthritis.

Are there breeds more predisposed than others to having osteoarthritis?

Not all breeds are equal when it comes to canine osteoarthritis. Certain predispositions influence the onset of joint pain, among them:

• obesity​
• congenital malformations
• malformations of all kinds

However, there are also genetic predispositions! Some breeds are more likely to have osteoarthritis than others. This is the case for the following breeds:

• Rottweiler
• Golden retriever
• Labrador
• German shepherd

Alleviating Your Pet’s Joint Pain: What’s the Alternative to Devil’s Claw?

Devil’s Claw is, fortunately, not the only natural medical procedure to relieve your dog’s joint pain.

A victim of its own success, this anti-inflammatory plant remains difficult to find.

Especially since quality products intended for animals are becoming rare.

Also, today, devil’s claw is one of the medicinal plants that are overexploited and tend to disappear in their natural environments [source: WHO ].

Its use as a tonic to relieve joint problems in animals (dogs, cats) but also in humans leads to forced exploitation of this plant.

Faced with this problem, a certification system based on the origin of the plant has been set up.

To get a quality, certified devil’s claw for your dog, you may have to dig deep into your pocket to get some extracts .