General Pet is your source for advice and information for a happy and healthy pet.

Navigation: Main page

 Print this page Submit articleComment article

Author: Shelley Rossi

Article source: http://www.articlealley.com/. Used with author's permission.

Just as we take supplements to stay healthy, our dogs need nutritional supplements to help prevent the damage caused over time to joints, bones, and cartilage and to improve mobility, flexibility, and promote overall energy and well-being.

Most dogs who are diagnosed with arthritis or hip dysplaysia are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Many of these drugs actually prevent the growth of collagen in joints, causing further cartilage degeneration. These drugs can also produce other serious side effects such as deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract lining, liver and kidney damage, even death.

There are many "natural" joint care supplements on the market with the main focus being on glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate which, conventionally is derived from swine, cattle, and shark cartilage and shellfish remains and requires the destruction of the host animal. Velvet antler, however, is an all natural supplement derived from the antler of the male elk. Velvet antler contains 40 key compounds that research has shown rebuild cartilage and bone, build cells and boost energy, reduce infection and inflammation, and protect blood cells, the heart, liver and lungs.

Elk have the amazing ability to heal their own broken bones and to recover quickly from damage to muscles and tendons; they can even recover from poisonous snake bites in a matter of days. This same ability is what allows the animals to produce huge antlers every year.

Velvet antler is harvested from domestic elk under conditions that ensure the comfort and safety of the animals. The antlers are harvested when they are in the soft or "velvet" stage. It's at this stage when the antler has the most nutrients. After the velvet antler is harvested it is wrapped and frozen. It's then taken to a special facility where the whole antler is freeze-dried and made ready for processing. Male (bull) elk regrow a new set of velvet antler every year making it the only renewable source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, essential nutrients for cartilage and joint support.

For more information on velvet antler as an all natural joint health supplement for dogs visit

Rossi served as Administrator of the Colorado Elk Breeders Assoc. for 4 years. She has raised elk and been involved with all facets of the domestic elk industry since 1995. Rossi recently became part of a new company, Bonus velvet antler, LLC as a result of seeing first hand the amazing results obtained using the velvet antler products.