Almost every day I get questions about pets with joint pain and, because of what I do, my social media feeds on are full of ads for products to deal with these issues.

There are many components to joint pain and the conventional solution is anti-inflammatory medications. These can be non-steroidal (NSAIDs) or steroids, depending on severity, and they work quickly and effectively. However, I have two concerns. First, because they mask the issue, they can allow a pet to return to normal behaviour and potentially do more damage. Second, they may not address root causes of the issue and, while they can be used long-term, the cost and potential side effect damage is not ideal.

If inflammation is the issue, why mask it? Why not remove the cause of the inflammation?

Processed foods are one of the main issues causing inflammation in pets, and one of the easiest things to change. A balanced fresh diet, made from unprocessed meats and veggies is ideal. If making it yourself is too much work, then there are plenty of pre-made frozen diets you just thaw and feed. While fresh food is more expensive (for us and our pets), when you add up the cost of meds and veterinarian visits, it can actually be cheaper overall to buy fresh foods.

If changing foods is not an option, there are natural anti-inflammatory preparations you can make at home, as well as natural products you can buy.

Inflammation can be reduced by improving the immune system. So, immune boosters such as medicinal mushrooms, Omega 3 poly-unsaturated acids such as DHA, EPA and DPA, probiotics, berries and ‘superfoods’ can help the body naturally reduce inflammation.

Antioxidants, like certain berries, green tea (steeped overnight) or leafy greens, Vitamin C and even green-lipped mussel (GLM) can help reduce inflammation. GLM also offers joint support in the glucosamine complex.

One anti-inflammatory preparation I get a lot of questions about is golden paste. This is the first time I’ve posted a recipe, but it’s a simple and effective one:

Golden Paste

½ cup ground turmeric;

1 cup water (extra in reserve if needed),;

1/3 cup coconut oil (or flaxseed oil or olive oil);

2 teaspoons freshly cracked/ground black pepper (pre-ground pepper loses the piperine that is needed for the mix).

Mix turmeric and water and bring to a boil, simmer for 7-10 min until it becomes a thick paste (you may need to add water along the way depending on the heat). Let cool for 10 minutes until warm and add pepper and oil. Stir well to incorporate all the oil.

It will last a few weeks in the fridge, or you can freeze it in ice cube trays to store for longer periods. Start dosage with ¼ tsp per 25 pounds of weight. Increase as you see fit, but give no more than 1 tablespoon per day.

Golden paste is not just good for pets, you can use it too. It has pretty strong taste on its own, but you can add it to a protein shake. People are people, too!