Supporting Dogs with Arthritis

A Ramses Food-First Approach

Ramses Supporting Dogs with Arthritis

Arthritis affects many middle-aged and senior dogs, causing joint stiffness, reduced mobility, and discomfort. Alongside veterinary care, nutrition plays a vital role in supporting joint health, reducing inflammation, and maintaining lean muscle. Ramses emphasizes homemade, food-first meals that combine high-quality proteins, anti-inflammatory fats, gentle carbohydrates, antioxidant vegetables and fruits, targeted supplements, and proper hydration.

Meals are designed for digestibility, joint support, and long-term wellbeing, always complementing veterinary care.

Proteins – Muscle Maintenance and Joint Support

Strong muscles reduce joint strain. Ramses prioritizes minced heart, which provides taurine, L-carnitine, and CoQ10 to support both muscles and joints. Total daily protein should be made up of combined protein sources, including heart (20% of total), small oily fish, eggs, lean poultry, or allergy-friendly alternatives like rabbit, venison, or duck.

Proteins should be cooked, minced, or pureed, and offered in small, frequent meals. Heart is listed first in the protein hierarchy, while poultry breast comes last due to potential allergies.

Recommended Total Daily Protein (all sources combined)

(Dog Size and Total Protein in Grams:)

Miniature: 56, Small: 89, Medium: 183, Large: 300, Giant: 431, Giant Plus: 563

These figures represent the total amount of protein consumed daily, not the weight of meat itself. Since different protein sources contain different protein concentrations, the actual weight of meat, fish, eggs, or organ meats required to achieve these targets will vary.

For example:

• 100 g (3.5 oz) cooked chicken breast provides approximately 31 g of protein.

• 100 g (3.5 oz) lean beef provides approximately 26 g of protein.

• One large egg provides approximately 6 g of protein.

This distinction is important because a dog may consume significantly more than 10.6 oz of food to achieve the Large Dog target of 300 g (10.6 oz) of protein. The protein target refers to the nutrient itself, not the weight of the ingredients.

Fats – Anti-Inflammatory Support

Fats supply energy, support skin and coat, and reduce joint inflammation. Ramses recommends high-quality, easily digestible fats such as small oily fish (EPA/DHA), wild-caught cod liver oil, krill oil, olive oil, and minimal coconut oil.

Fats should be introduced gradually and incorporated into meals in measured amounts. Small oily fish contributes both protein and anti-inflammatory fats.

Recommended Daily Fat

 (Dog Size and Total Protein in tsps:)

Miniature: 1/2, Small: 1, Medium: 2, Large: 3, Giant: 4, Giant Plus: 5

Carbohydrates – Energy and Weight Control

Carbohydrates provide digestible energy and fiber to support gut health, weight control, and steady blood glucose. Gentle, cooked options such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, rice, and oatmeal are preferred. Portions reflect cooked weight and are minimum recommended amounts, increasing gradually up to 10% of total daily intake under veterinary guidance.

Recommended Daily Carbohydrates

Dog Size	Sweet Potato / Pumpkin / Butternut Squash (g)	Rice / Oatmeal (g)
Miniature	15	10
Small	30	20
Medium	60	40
Large	90	60
Giant	120	80
Giant Plus	150	100

Serve mashed or pureed in small, frequent meals to reduce joint stress and support steady energy.

Vitamins & Minerals – Connective Tissue Support

Micronutrients help maintain cartilage integrity, connective tissue repair, and antioxidant defenses. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, kale, medicinal mushrooms, and ground flaxseed provide these nutrients naturally. Lightly steam vegetables and introduce one new food at a time.

Recommended Daily Portions

Dog Size	Vegetables (g)	Medicinal Mushrooms (g)	Ground Flaxseed (g)
Miniature	5	2	2
Small	10	4	4
Medium	20	8	6
Large	30	12	8
Giant	40	16	10
Giant Plus	50	20	12

Fruits – Antioxidant Support

Low-sugar fruits provide antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress in joints and connective tissue. Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and apples are recommended. Daily amounts are combined totals for all fruits, served sliced, mashed, or lightly cooked, and gradually introduced.

Recommended Daily Fruit Portions (g)

Dog Size	Total Fruits
Miniature	5
Small	10
Medium	20
Large	30
Giant	40
Giant Plus	50

Natural Supplements – Joint Support

Whole-food supplements supply bioactive compounds for cartilage, connective tissue, and joint lubrication. Bone broth, green-lipped mussel, turmeric, Boswellia, ginger, and fresh herbs are all included carefully. Bone broth provides collagen, glucosamine, amino acids, and minerals, measured in teaspoons for ease.

Supplement Dosages

Supplement	Amount per Dog Size	Preparation / Serving
Bone Broth	Mini 2 tsp; Small 3 tsp; Medium 6 tsp; Large 9 tsp; Giant 12 tsp; Giant Plus 15 tsp	Simmer 4–6 hrs, strain, cool, serve lightly warmed
Green-lipped Mussel	Mini/Small 1–2; Medium 3–4; Large 5–6; Giant/Giant Plus 7–8	Steam, shell removed, minced
Turmeric (fresh)	Mini/Small ¼–½ tsp; Medium ½–1 tsp; Large 1–1½ tsp; Giant/Giant Plus 1½–2 tsp	Grate, mix with small fat
Boswellia	Mini/Small pinch; Medium ¼ tsp; Large ½ tsp; Giant/Giant Plus ¾ tsp	Crush, mix into meal
Ginger (fresh)	Mini/Small pinch; Medium ½ tsp; Large ¾ tsp; Giant/Giant Plus 1 tsp	Grate finely, mix raw or lightly cooked
Fresh Herbs	Mini/Small pinch; Medium ½ tsp; Large 1 tsp; Giant/Giant Plus 1½ tsp	Chop, sprinkle over meals

Introduce one supplement at a time and serve consistently.

Water & Hydration

Hydration is essential for joint lubrication, circulation, and metabolism. Dogs should always have fresh, clean water. Herb-infused water adds gentle antioxidants, while bone broth contributes both hydration and nutrients.

Herb-Infused Water Ratios & Preparation

Dog Size	Water	Herb (fresh)	Herb (dried)
Miniature	½ cup	1 leaf/pinch	¼ tsp
Small	1 cup	2–3 leaves	½ tsp
Medium	2 cups	4–5 leaves	1 tsp
Large	3 cups	6–7 leaves	1½ tsp
Giant	4 cups	8–10 leaves	2 tsp
Giant Plus	5 cups	10–12 leaves	2½ tsp

Preparation: Heat gently 5–10 minutes, cool completely, strain, and serve.

Key Principles

Maintain lean body weight to reduce joint strain. Provide high-quality proteins with heart prioritized. Include anti-inflammatory fats and antioxidants. Serve small, frequent meals. Use whole-food supplements for cartilage support. Ensure adequate hydration through water, herb-infused water, and bone broth.

Summary

Dogs with arthritis thrive on a structured, homemade diet that complements veterinary care. Heart, lean proteins, wild-caught fish, controlled carbohydrates, antioxidant vegetables and fruits, bone broth, shellfish, herbs, and roots work together to maintain mobility, reduce inflammation, and preserve connective tissue. Measured meals, supplements, and hydration maximize joint comfort and quality of life.

For even more insights, especially balance and complete recipes check out Ramses Solutions.