Bad to the Bone: Dog Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Dog Skeletal System
Your dog’s bones consist of compact tissue, a hard outer layer, and cancellous tissue, a spongey inner layer containing red marrow. Osteoblasts (cells forming bones) and osteoclasts (cells breaking down bone) regulate bone tissue.
In osteoporosis, bone demineralization causes brittle and porous bones. Pets with osteoporosis exhibit lameness and poor posture indicating weakness.
Given dogs’ stoic nature, when symptoms present it’s when severe pain sets in and bone demineralization has progressed. Humans may not know their dog has osteoporosis until a fracture occurs.
Osteoporosis prevention involves making sure your pet has adequate daily nutrition and moderate exercise.
In supporting dogs with osteoporosis, managing pain while increasing specific vitamins and minerals through diet and herbs, can significantly improve their condition.
Being present, loving your dog and minimizing your stress remains essential, if not first and foremost, as standard care, for any and all conditions including osteoporosis. The energy in your dog’s environment impacts their nervous system and nervous system function effects overall health and quality of life.
The Liver’s and Hormones’ Role in Bone Health
Liver health is essential for proper hormonal balance. The liver balances hormones by excreting and inactivating excess hormones. Among many influences, hormonal status impacts bone mass and bone tissue circulation absorption (bone resorption rate).
When the liver is stagnant, it cannot properly process excess hormones and they circulate in your dog’s blood causing a cascade of imbalances and discomfort including osteoporosis.
The liver can become stagnant from underlying health issues (copper storage disease, seizure medications or steroid use), emotions in their environment (anger or aggression in their household), an unhealthy diet (kibble), or a lack of outdoor exercise.
Stress and liver health can be a vicious cycle; physical and emotional stressors bog down liver functioning, and a bogged down liver contributes to more stress. Stress, among an endless list of negative consequences, causes cortisol excess, offsetting the delicate hormone balance needed in maintaining bone health.
Estrogen, one of numerous hormones, helps bones retain calcium and declines as pets age, especially in female pets. Records show female pets having more incidences of osteoporosis than male pets. Spaying or neutering alters hormones and hormone regulation, effecting bone health.
Xenoestrogens, synthetic chemicals from plastics, preservatives and pesticides, interferes with the body’s estrogen activity, blocking the body’s naturally produced estrogen and disrupting hormone receptors, producing adverse effects including osteporosis.
Estrogenic activity and natural hormone production is disturbed in dogs with xenoestrogen build up as a result of consuming xenoestrogens from their environment (lawn containing pesticides) or food (peanut butter or water from a plastic container, or nonorganic foods).
Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, and Type 1 diabetes are common underlying conditions contributing to imbalanced hormones and predisposing pets to osteoporosis.
Smoking cigarettes around your dog can interfere with estrogen metabolism, effecting bone health. Avoid smoking near your dog and keep them away from smoking areas.
Movement and “Grounding” for Bone Health
Daily outside exercise helps move the lymphatic system and enhance liver functioning, ensuring proper nutrient absorption and waste excretion necessary for bone health.
The ground impact from exercise (your dog’s paws hitting the Earth’s floor), is not only strengthening to their bones by creating a force enhancing bone density but also syncs (“grounds”) your dog with Earth’s magnetic field which is a powerful healing frequency.
Diet and Bone Health
Ensuring your dog eats a quality, fresh and balanced, whole food diet helps them avoid liver stagnation leading to osteoporosis and provides nutrients needed in maintaining healthy, strong bones.
Highly processed commercial diets are low in naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, or use synthetic vitamins and minerals unrecognizable by your pet’s internal receptors.
Kibble food, cooked at extremely high temperatures, zaps all the nutrients and protein structure from food. Synthetic vitamins and mineral sprays are added on after the kibble food has been processed.
In drying food for kibble, water gets removed and the lack of moisture in food is extremely hard on your pet’s kidneys and in turn, weakens bones.
Poor quality (rancid) oils added into processed dog foods and treats slows down the bone’s magnesium and calcium absorption and weakens bones. For example, canola oil and vegetable oils are unstable, meaning they go rancid quickly, causing oxidative stress in your pet’s body.
Dog treats with added sugar including honey, and simple carbs, for example, white rice and white potatoes, should be avoided in pets struggling with bone health as they leach minerals from bones. Simple carbs convert to sugar after consumption. DVM Karen Becker points out protein in kibble, after treated with high heat during processing, convert into sugar in your pet’s body.
A balanced, fresh, whole food diet are key in maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoarthritis.
Magnesium, An Essential Bone Mineral
70% of Magnesium in your pet is found in their bones.
Dietary magnesium, critical for proper calcium metabolism and maintenance, plays a gatekeeper role for calcium entering the bones. Magnesium guards calcium channels, calcium’s pathway into cells. It allows calcium entry for achieving electrical transmission necessary and when complete, magnesium ejects calcium.
Excess calcium without magnesium causes calcium depositing into soft tissue rather than the skeleton leading to several health problems including bone calcium deficiency.
Magnesium, involved in muscle impulse transmission, offers help if your pet experiences muscle spasms or shaking from weakness, associated with osteoporosis.
Magnesium rich plants include vegetable greens, barley grass, wheatgrass, chlorella, sea vegetables (seaweed, phytoplankton), aloe vera gel, whole grains, and all legumes.
Microgreens, or sprouted greens, tiny and mighty, pack in more mineral content than mature, fully grown greens. For example, freshly cut broccoli sprouts contain around 60% more calcium and magnesium than mature (full-grown) broccoli.
Bone Calcium
Low dietary calcium or calcium depletion due to other health imbalances (for example, high phosphorous in dogs with kidney problems) contributes to osteoporosis development.
Calcium deficiencies arise in geriatric pets, when nutrient absorption decreases and when disorders like arthritis, heart disease and tooth decay are present. Young pets can experience bone calcium sufficiency from poor diets lacking in naturally occurring vitamin and minerals, causing bone problems.
Table salt, sugar, refined flour, aluminum, pesticides and other toxins interfere with calcium absorption.
Heart and nervous system problems relate to calcium metabolism, impacting bone health.
Lactating female pets are susceptible to calcium depletion and should up their calcium with a whole food source, for example, seaweed calcium added into food.
Eating raw bones help pets obtain calcium and minerals for bone health, following the logic “like treats like”.
Vitamin D for Bone Health
Without vitamin D, the body can’t absorb calcium and bone growth and development is hindered. Puppies lacking in vitamin D suffer from bone weakness and skeletal deformities.
Dog and cats depend on diet for their main vitamin D source. They cannot utilize sunlight in synthesizing vitamin D precursors in their skin like humans can.
Whole food vitamin D helps your pet’s body utilize calcium, while synthetic, isolated vitamin D can leach calcium from bones.
Egg yolk, sardines, beef liver, salmon, cod liver oil and mushrooms contain adequate vitamin D amounts.
Genetic vitamin D receptor variations can produce challenges for proper vitamin D absorption, causing genetic predispositions to osteoporosis.
Vitamin A and K work synergistically with vitamin D, enhancing its bioavailability (absorption) and helps maintain balanced quantities. Whole food sources of D containing K and A is optimal and delivers optimal effects. Phytoplankton contains A, D, and K and can be added into food.
Greens for Healthy Bones
Chlorophyll acts as stored sunshine, performing like vitamin D in your pet’s body in regulating calcium and strengthening bones.
Green plants, the most concentrated source of chlorophyll, contain adequate amounts of magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins A, C and K, important cofactors for calcium absorption and healthy bones.
Spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, barley grass, and dunaliella are highly beneficial green plants for your dog’s meal toppers.
Microgreens contain up 40% more nutrients and constituents (phytochemicals) than mature greens.
The Kidneys’ Impact on Bones
Kidney vitality determines bones mineral supplies. The kidneys rule the blood and bones and weak kidneys provide for weak bones. Bone problems, especially hind leg weakness and pain and unhealthy teeth, indicate kidney imbalance.
Bilberry, black beans, blueberry, raspberry leaf, eggs, mung bean sprouts, kidney beans, kudzu root, spirulina, chlorella, sardines, Nettle seeds, Astragalus and Reishi nurture the kidneys and can be added into your pets food daily.
TCM contributes adequate bone mineral supply to kidney-adrenal function vitality. Supporting the kidneys supports the adrenals and vice versa.
Anxiety tolls the adrenals and the kidneys and longterm, weakens your pets bones. Supporting their nervous system through maintaining a calm and loving environment nourishes their kidneys and in turn, their bones.
Musculoskeletal System Connection with Bone Health
Your dog’s musculoskeletal system includes bones, cartilage, connective tissues, ligaments and tendons. Muscles and bones work hand in hand; musculoskeletal system health is essential for healthy bones. Musculoskeletal disorders or diseases effecting the musculoskeletal system, can promote, or worsen, osteoporosis.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain is commonly experienced in dogs with kidney disease and can cascade into osteoporosis. Dogs with hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis are at risk for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Risk from Underlying Conditions
Other than deficiencies and imbalances already mentioned above, the following factors below contribute to osteoporosis development.
Acidic Blood (Acidosis)
White flour, white rice, and excessive amounts of eggs or beans contribute to acidosis, or failure in excreting acidic compounds. Acidosis overtime causes brittle bones leading to osteoporosis.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Cats diagnosed with osteoporosis are usually sedentary house cats. Lack of movement and impact weakens bones and on the contrary, bone impact while walking or running on the ground helps strengthen them.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis effects the entire musculoskeletal system. Inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis contributes to joint pain, swelling and cartilage damage, leading to bone erosion around the swollen joint, and mineralization loss from inflammation.
Seizure Medications
Anti-epileptic drugs alter the way vitamin D gets broken down and used by the body, and since calcium absorption is dependent on vitamin D, bones become calcium deficient. Over time, the medications can induce osteoporosis.
Propolis and omega-3s together can protect the bones and help prevent epilepsy drug induced osteoporosis.
One drop of propolis for large and extra-large dogs twice daily is sufficient and one diluted drop (1:1 propolis to water split into two separate doses) for extra-small, small and medium dogs twice daily away from food. Source quality propolis, away from cities and in rural areas, in ensuring the remedy’s effectiveness and avoiding toxins from pollution absorption.
Hyperparathyroidism
Parathyroid glands, small endocrine system glands, control calcium levels in your pet’s blood and bones.
In hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid glands release excessive parathyroid hormones, causing leached calcium from bones into the bloodstream, causing osteoporosis. (click here to read more about your dog’s endocrine system)
Antacid Drugs
Antacids, aluminum or magnesium based, interfere with the body’s calcium and phosphorous absorption, weakening the bones.
Calcium absorption depends on becoming ionized in the intestines from gastric acid secretion. Suppressing gastric acid with antacids inhibits calcium utilization.
Renal Calcium Leak (Hypercalciuria)
In renal (kidney) leak hypercalciuria, impaired tubular reabsorption of calcium increases urinary calcium excretion, lowering bone mass and overtime causing osteoporosis. It can occur with or without hyperparathyroidism.
Hypercalciuria is a consistent abnormality in cats battling bladder stones.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Frequency (PEMF) Therapy for Bone Circulation
Pulse electromagnetic frequencies in Bemer devices produce frequencies similar to Earth’s frequencies (the “grounding” effect I mentioned earlier in the article), enhancing microcirculation. Microcirculation, bone and marrow circulation, assists bone development, maintenance and repair.
In promoting microcirculation, mineral and nutrient absorption inside the bones increases, preventing bone weakness.
PEMF reduces inflammation, helping with pain management from osteoporosis and may be helpful adjuct therapy in osteoporosis due to rheumatoid arthritis inflammation.
Herbs and Supplements for Bone Health
Important Note: The remedies below aren’t meant to be used all at once and aren’t all suited for all dogs. Always carefully select herbs and supplements suiting your dog as an individual (considering their energetics, health history, current health, etc.). Or, hire an herbalist in creating a custom protocol optimized for your dog’s unique needs and constitution. You can book a consult with me here.
Bramble Leaf Infusion (Rubus fructicosus)
Bramble contains calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, making it helpful in osteoporosis prevention and support. It contains vitamin C, helping your pet lower stress and cortisol levels.
In making a Bramble infusion, pour almost boiling water over one tablespoon dried leaf or two tablespoons of fresh leaf and let steep for at least two hours for maximum benefit. Strain and serve into your pet’s food twice daily. Infusions can be stored in refrigeration for up to 24 hours.
Suggested Infusion Dosages:
Extra-Small Dogs: 2 tsp
Small Dogs: 1 tbsp
Medium Dogs: 1 1/2 tbsp
Large Dogs: 2 tbsp
Extra-Large Dogs: 2 tbsp
Bilberry Tincture (Vaccinium myrtillis)
Bilberry supports the liver, helping regulate hormones and has estrogen-like activity for osteoporosis due to low estrogen. It regulates GI tract’s pH in preventing acidosis. Its high antioxidant content fights oxidative stress, reducing toxins and inflammation.
Bilberry supports the entire musculoskeletal system and is well indicated when osteoporosis arose from rheumatoid arthritis.
Kaempferol, one of many chemical constituents, inhibits cancer cell formation and makes Bilberry well indicated for complementary therapy in pets with osteosarcoma.
Suggested Tincture Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 3 drops
Small Dogs: 7 drops
Medium Dogs: 11 drops
Large Dogs: 15 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 20 drops
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Buds and Leaves
Ash Phytoembryonic Therapy (Fraxinus excelsior) Mother Extract
Ash prevents osteoporosis by helping inhibit cell death of osteoblasts. Osteoblasts, required for bone synthesis and mineralization, supports bone formation and remodeling.
Ash contains calcium, magnesium and vitamin C. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory and well indicated when rheumatoid arthritis led to osteoporosis.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 1 drop
Small Dogs: 3 drops
Medium Dogs: 5 drops
Large Dogs: 7 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 9 drops
Cramp Bark Tincture (Viburnum opulus)
Cramp bark helps relieve bone pain and muscle spasms, for example, shaking due to weakness or uncontrollable collapses from weakened bones. It’s well indicated in osteoporosis forming from musculoskeletal weakness or disorders.
Suggested Tincture Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 5 drops
Small Dogs: 10 drops
Medium Dogs: 15 drops
Large Dogs: 20 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 25 drops
Black Cumin Seed Oil (Nigella sativa)
Black seeds contain Thymoquinone, a chemical constituent helpful in helping kill cancer cells and useful for pets who developed osteoporosis as a result of osteosarcoma. It contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its constituents tryptophan and phenylalanine assist in pain reduction.
Mix up to 1/4 tsp for every ten pounds of body weight into meals daily.
Astragalus Tincture (Astragalus membranaceus)
Astragalus regulates the kidneys and adrenals function, reducing stress and helping prevent osteoporosis.
Formononetin, one of Astragalus’s many chemical constituents, has promising effects for osteosarcoma support and has natural estrogenic properties, contributing to bone health especially in a pet’s older age.
Suggested Tincture Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 5 drops
Small Dogs: 10 drops
Medium Dogs: 15 drops
Large Dogs: 20 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 25 drops
European Alder Phytoembryonic Therapy (Alnus glutinosa) Mother Extract
European alder buds contain substantial magnesium amounts, helping bone mineralization, preventing and supporting osteoporosis.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 3 drops
Small Dogs: 6 drops
Medium Dogs: 9 drops
Large Dogs: 12 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 15 drops
Maitake Mushroom (Grifola frondosa)
Maitake Mushroom Powder (Grifola frondosa)
Maitake (hen-of-the-woods), rich in minerals aiding in calcium absorption, supports bone mineralization and boosts bone tissue production by stimulating osteoblasts.
It’s well indicated for osteoporosis onset resulting from immunocompromised conditions and strengthens immunity.
Serve 1/8 teaspoon every 15 pounds of body weight twice daily away from food.
Kelp
One hundred milligrams of kelp contains 1,099 milligrams (mg) of calcium. Kelp contains chlorophyll, helping your pet with calcium regulation.
Note: Kelp is contraindicated in pets with hyperthyroid because of high iodine content.
Suggested Powder Dosages:
Mix ground kelp into meals twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 25mg
Small Dogs: 50mg
Medium Dogs: 75mg
Large Dogs: 100mg
Extra-Large Dogs: 125 mg
Horsetail Phytoembryonic Therapy (Equisetum arvense) Mother Extract
Silicon, found in plant fiber as silica, is critical for efficient calcium utilization and increasing bone strength. Horsetail’s young shoots used in phytoembryonic therapy (plant stem cell extract) contains more silica than any other herb, and contains magnesium, helping increase bone health.
Horsetail is a mineral powerful and supports the entire musculoskeletal system, strengthening muscles and bones.
Note: Horsetail is contraindicated when using Hawthorn for heart imbalances.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily.
Extra-Small Dogs: 5 drops
Small Dogs: 10 drops
Medium Dogs: 15 drops
Large Dogs: 20 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 25 drops
Don Qui Root (Angelica sinensis)
Don Qui helps regulate hormone imbalances. Please keep in mind it’s best suited for cold, deficient dogs with anemia and poor circulation and not well suited for dogs suffering from heat, fever, diarrhea, tumors or excess mucus.
Don Qui root can be added to broth, made into a decoction or capsules added into meals. For making a decoction, simmer (at lowest temperature possible) eight ounces of water with three tablespoons of fresh root or two tablespoons of dried root for 30 minutes. Strain, let cool to room temperature and mix suggested dosages below into your dog’s food twice daily.
Suggested Decoction Dosages:
Extra-Small Dogs: 1 tsp
Small Dogs: 2 tsp
Medium Dogs: 1 tbsp
Large Dogs: 1 1/3 tbsp
Extra-Large Dogs: 1 2/3 tbsp
Birch (Betula verrucosa) Buds and Leaves
Silver Birch Gemmotherapy (Betula verrucosa) 1:200 Dilution
Silver Birch plant stem cell therapy helps drain xenoestrogens from the body preventing them from disturbing natural estrogen production needed for optimal bone health.
Suggested Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 5 drops
Small Dogs: 10 drops
Medium Dogs: 15 drops
Large Dogs: 20 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 25 drops
Stinging Nettles Infusion (Urtica dioica)
An infusion of Stinging Nettles, an herb high in chlorophyll, contains calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals in proper balance, helping maintain bone health.
Nettles supports blood, kidney and adrenal health, providing for strong bones and osteoporosis prevention.
Infusions are helpful in delivery nutritional contents, for example, minerals, of herbs because they’re water soluble. Nettle benefits shine when prepared as an infusion.
In making a Nettles infusion, pour almost boiling water over one tablespoon dried herb or two tablespoons of fresh herb and let steep for at least two hours for maximum benefit. You can strain or serve both the liquid with the leaves into your pet’s food twice daily.
Suggested Infusion Dosages:
Extra-Small Dogs: 1 tsp
Small Dogs: 2 tsp
Medium Dogs: 1 tbsp
Large Dogs: 1 1/2 tbsp
Extra-Large Dogs: 2 tbsp
Passion Flower Tincture (Passiflora incarnata)
Passion Flower provides pain management and is calming. It’s well indicated for dogs with anxiety or reactivity resulting from environmental stressors. It can support dogs with osteoporosis effecting their nervous system (or vice versa) and help them manage pain and emotions in regaining physical abilities.
Suggested Tincture Dosages:
Administer away from food twice daily
Extra-Small Dogs: 4 drops
Small Dogs: 8 drops
Medium Dogs: 12 drops
Large Dogs: 16 drops
Extra-Large Dogs: 20 drops
Omega-3 Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids help calcium transportation into bones, enhancing its absorption. Omega-3s augment mineralization, reducing bone loss and fracture risk.
Look for omega-3s third party tested for heavy metals and fresh, refrigerated or frozen upon preparation in preventing rancidity. Use ethical sources for sustainability.
Ethically sourced Squid oil or New Zealand green-lipped mussel oil, ahiflower oil, phytoplankton, hempseed oil and camelina seed oil are stable and ethical sources for omega-3s.
Mix 1/8 tsp omega-3 oil per 20 lbs of body weight into meals.
References
Becker, Dr. Karen. 2016. Osteosarcoma in Dogs. [Video] Youtube. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A2vRNz2Q4c.
Murray, Michael T. N.D., and Pizzorno, Joseph N.D. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Third Edition. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2002.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods. North Atlantic Books, 1993.