NatrixOne, Joint Supplements & Veterinary Medications: What Dog Owners Should Know

When a dog begins struggling with arthritis, stiffness, itching or skin problems, owners often start asking the same question:

Do we need medication, a supplement, or both?

The answer depends on the dog.

Prescription medications can be extremely effective and, for many dogs, are an important part of maintaining comfort and quality of life. Nutritional support may also play a role in a broader wellness or mobility plan.

The most useful approach is not to think of these options as competitors.

It is to understand what each one does, what risks and benefits are involved, and how your veterinarian can help build the right plan for your dog.

What About Glucosamine for Dogs?

Glucosamine has been used in canine joint supplements for decades and is often combined with ingredients such as chondroitin.

However, the evidence behind joint supplements varies considerably.

Current AAHA pain-management guidance notes that the evidence supporting most nutraceuticals for canine osteoarthritis remains limited, while omega-3 fatty acids have comparatively stronger evidence for helping manage osteoarthritis-related signs in dogs. AAHA

That does not necessarily mean glucosamine is useless. It means owners should be realistic about what supplements can and cannot do—and should not assume every joint product provides the same benefit.

Where Can Omega Fatty Acids Fit Into Joint Health?

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects within joints and are included in veterinary nutritional strategies for dogs with osteoarthritis. AAHA

Nutrition is also increasingly treated as part of an overall health plan rather than an afterthought. AAHA recommends regular assessment of body condition, muscle condition and nutritional needs throughout a dog’s life. AAHA

For dogs with mobility concerns, that broader plan may include:

• Weight management
• Appropriate exercise
• Rehabilitation or physical therapy
• Prescription pain medications
• Environmental changes at home
• Veterinary-approved nutritional support

NatrixOne is a camelina-oil-based supplement that can be incorporated into a dog’s regular diet as a source of plant-derived fatty acids and vitamin E.

It should not be used as a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or necessary pain treatment.

Are Prescription Arthritis Medications Safe for Dogs?

Veterinary medications can provide meaningful pain relief, but like all medications, they can also cause side effects.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are commonly prescribed for osteoarthritis and postoperative pain in dogs. The FDA notes that these drugs have helped many dogs live more comfortably, but they should be used under veterinary supervision. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Reported side effects can include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced activity
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers

More serious complications can involve the kidneys, liver or gastrointestinal tract. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

That is why veterinarians may recommend bloodwork, monitoring and periodic follow-up while a dog is taking these medications.

Should I Stop My Dog’s Arthritis Medication If a Supplement Seems to Help?

No medication should be stopped or reduced without discussing it with your veterinarian.

A dog appearing more comfortable does not necessarily mean the underlying condition has resolved.

The FDA recommends that owners work with their veterinarian when deciding whether to change an NSAID dose, frequency or duration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

For some dogs, nutritional support may complement a veterinary treatment plan.

For others, prescription medication may remain essential to maintaining mobility and quality of life.

What Side Effects Can NatrixOne Cause?

Because NatrixOne is an oil-based supplement, some dogs may experience digestive changes when it is first introduced.

Possible issues can include:

• Soft stool
• Mild digestive upset
• Reluctance to eat food after a new oil is added

Introducing the supplement gradually may make the transition easier.

If your dog develops persistent vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes or any other concerning symptoms after starting a supplement, discontinue it and contact your veterinarian.

What About Skin Medications?

Skin disease can have many different causes, including allergies, parasites, infection and immune-mediated disease.

Medications such as corticosteroids, oclacitinib (Apoquel), cyclosporine and antibiotics may be appropriate depending on the diagnosis.

These treatments can have side effects, but their benefits can also be substantial when used appropriately.

That is another reason we would avoid framing nutritional supplements as replacements for veterinary medications.

A dog with recurring itching or skin inflammation needs the underlying problem identified first.

Can Nutrition Support Skin and Coat Health?

Yes.

Fatty acids are important structural components of skin and coat, and dietary fat composition can influence skin health.

For some dogs, adding an appropriate source of essential fatty acids may support coat quality and overall nutrition.

But nutrition cannot replace treatment for infections, parasites, severe allergies or other medical conditions.

Think of diet and supplementation as part of the foundation—not as a cure-all.

The Better Question: What Does This Dog Need?

There is no single arthritis or skin-health plan that is appropriate for every dog.

A young athletic dog recovering from activity has different needs than a 12-year-old dog with established osteoarthritis.

A dog with mild seasonal itching is different from a dog with chronic allergic skin disease.

The most effective plans are individualized.

For joint health, your veterinarian may consider:

Pain control. Is the dog currently uncomfortable?

Body condition. Excess weight places additional demands on joints.

Muscle mass. Maintaining strength matters for mobility.

Exercise. Regular, appropriate movement can be an important part of managing chronic pain. AAHA

Nutrition. Diet and fatty-acid intake may support overall health and mobility.

Medication. Prescription therapies may be necessary and highly beneficial.

Supplements. These can be considered as part of the larger plan rather than viewed as a replacement for medical care.

A Note From Dr. Rich

At NatrixOne, our goal has always been to help dogs stay active and comfortable for as long as possible.

Nutritional support can be one useful tool in that effort.

But good canine health rarely comes from one ingredient, one supplement or one medication.

It comes from paying attention to the whole dog—and working with your veterinarian to make informed decisions as your dog’s needs change.

• “AAHA pain-management guidance” → AAHA: Nonpharmacologic Modalities for Pain Management
• “AAHA senior-care nutritional guidance” → AAHA: Disease Management — Nutritional
• “FDA guidance on veterinary NSAIDs” → FDA: Veterinary Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• “FDA guidance for pet owners about pain relievers” → FDA: Get the Facts About Pain Relievers for Pets

People often ask me, what can NatrixOne do for my pet? My standard answer is to discuss the benefits they will see with their friend’s mobility and coat. I discuss the 100 dog study that I did in the summer of 2018 and what amazing results we saw, as well as the results I see every day. Well, what about the other benefits of NatrixOne?

NatrixOne’s unique plant-based blend, called CamOlive, is cold-pressed from camelina sativa seed oil and proprietary olive extract and is loaded with 1) the perfect balance of Omega Fatty Acids, natural Vitamin E,  phytonutrients including polyphenols, sterols and triterpenes. So, what are the health benefits belonging to each of these properties? The short answer is that they are all powerful anti-inflammatories. 

Omega Fatty Acid Canine Health Benefits

Eyes – OFAs have been found to help improve eyesight and help fight off diseases of the eye and the retina.

Cognitive Function – This is tremendously important for older dogs, but also for younger dogs.  Prevention of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is just as important, so start early by preventing inflammation before it begins.

Cancer Prevention – We know from human medicine that OFAs play a huge role in decreasing inflammation in the body and helping to prevent cancer.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Just like people, as animals get older, they are more prone to IBD or food intolerance. This is driven by the immune system. OFA’s anti-inflammatory effects on the gut will help prevent this in your pet.

Cardiovascular Health – Do you have an active dog or even an athlete that competes in agility competitions?  NatrixOne is a great way to provide OFAs and increase your young pup’s performance and stamina.

Autoimmune Disorders – Autoimmune disorders are when your pet’s body turns against itself. OFAs have been proven to lower the incidence of conditions like Lupus, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Pemphigus, and more.

Anxiety – Do you have a pet that suffers from anxiety?  NatrixOne may decrease the use of other medications like Prozac, Trazodone and other mood-altering medications.

So, as you can see, NatrixOne™ and the Omega Fatty Acids it contains, have a wide range of beneficial effects on your pet’s body.  Don’t wait to start it when they are old and have these issues.  Be proactive and start it when they are young.  And don’t forget the added benefits of the beautiful coat and increased mobility.

Phytonutrients Health Benefits for Dogs

Phytonutrients are also known as phytochemicals or plant nutrients, the primary purpose of phytonutrients in plants is to shield the plant from pollution, insects, and the elements. While these special plant nutrients are non-essential for daily life, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of phytonutrients enhance immunity, repair DNA damage from exposure to toxins, reduce inflammation, and may help prevent diseases in humans and animals.  Below I will explain some of the primary phytonutrients found in our cold-pressed non-GMO camelina seed-oil and proprietary olive extract blend that make NatrixOne™ such a unique all-in-one supplement.

Polyphenols – Polyphenols help to maintain the health of blood flow through the veins, capillaries, and arteries. They lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, boost cognition, reduce the risk of diabetes, and improve gut health.

Carotenoids – Carotenoids have powerful antioxidant benefits that have the ability to fight damage from free radicals, decrease inflammation, and fight disease. They also have the ability to improve vision, naturally, boost the immune system, protect skin from damage, and promote healthy growth.

Flavonoids – Many of the biological effects of flavonoids appear to be related to their ability to modulate a number of cell-signaling cascades. Flavonoids have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective activities through different mechanisms.

Phytosterols – Plants can contain cholesterol as well, known as a phytosterol. Surprisingly enough, the plant version of cholesterol lowers cholesterol levels in the body, therefore decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Maslinic Acid – Maslinic acid (MA) is a natural compound whose structure corresponds to a pentacyclic triterpene. It is abundant in the cuticular lipid layer of olives. MA has many biological and therapeutic properties related to health including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-hypertensive, and antioxidant activities.

Beta carotene – Beta carotene is considered a provitamin A carotenoid, meaning that the body can convert it into vitamin A (retinol). Additionally, beta carotene has powerful antioxidant properties which reduce oxidative stress in the body.

Squalene – Squalene is otherwise known as omega 2, and has many similar benefits of omega 3. It is also known for regulating immune response, antioxidant effects, absorption of vitamins and cholesterol, chemo-preventive properties, reducing the damage from chemotherapy, anti-radioactive properties, skin health, and cell health. This was commonly extracted from shark’s liver, a practice which led to the endangering of that species!  Fortunately, NatrixOne™ Camelina Oil is a natural and renewable source.

Hydroxytyrosol – Hydroxytyrosol is the only phenolic compound that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which allows it to also absorb free radicals throughout the central nervous system. Its health benefits are plentiful including mitochondrial and metabolic function, skin health, fetal development, cardiovascular health, bone, and joint support, nervous system function, supports detoxification, endurance exercise capacity, and cancer prevention.

Quercetin – This potent antioxidant not only boosts the immune system and supports respiratory health, but it can help with the body’s natural response to allergens, histamines, and inflammation.

Plants are truly amazing and surprisingly, these are just some of the powerful phytonutrients health benefits you will be giving your dog when you use NatrixOne™. As you can see, not only are phytonutrients a key tool in maintaining and supporting your dog’s health and well-being, but when combined with the Omegas and natural Vitamin E in NatrixOne™ Camelina Oil, you are truly doing everything you can to help your dog live its best life!

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If your dog has recurring diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, gas or unexplained weight loss, food may be one of the first things worth investigating with your veterinarian. Dogs with chronic intestinal inflammation — often described as chronic enteropathy or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — can have an abnormal immune response in the intestinal lining that interferes with digestion and nutrient absorption.

The encouraging news is that many dogs with chronic intestinal disease respond to a carefully controlled change in diet. The goal is not simply to find an “anti-inflammatory” ingredient. It is to find a complete diet your dog’s digestive system can tolerate consistently while reducing unnecessary dietary triggers.

How Do I Choose Food for a Dog With Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

If you’re standing in front of shelves of dog food wondering what to feed a dog with IBD, start with this principle:

Choose a nutritionally complete diet with ingredients your dog can digest and tolerate, and introduce as few variables as possible.

Veterinarians commonly use one of two approaches for a dog with suspected food-responsive intestinal disease:

• A hydrolyzed-protein diet: the protein has been broken into much smaller pieces, which may make it less likely to trigger an immune response.
• A novel-protein diet: the food uses a protein source the dog has not regularly eaten before.

Highly digestible carbohydrates and an appropriate amount of dietary fat may also be important. There is no single food that is right for every dog with chronic enteropathy, so the most useful diet is often the one that produces a measurable improvement in your dog’s symptoms.

Research supports taking diet trials seriously. Veterinary guidance recommends feeding the selected diet exclusively during a trial rather than mixing it with treats, table scraps and other foods. Some dogs improve within approximately two weeks, while others may need a different diet trial before an effective option is found.

What Is Happening Inside a Dog’s Gut With IBD?

A healthy intestine isn’t just a tube that food passes through. Its inner surface is lined with microscopic finger-like structures called villi. These increase the surface area available to absorb nutrients. A protective intestinal barrier separates the contents of the digestive tract from the tissues and immune system underneath.

With chronic intestinal inflammation, that system may become disrupted. The intestinal lining can become irritated and inflamed, the structure of the villi may change, the normal community of intestinal microorganisms may shift, and nutrient absorption may become less efficient.

That helps explain why a dog with chronic intestinal disease can experience diarrhea or vomiting while also losing weight: the problem isn’t only what goes into the digestive tract — it’s also how effectively the intestine can process and absorb it.

Common Signs of Canine Chronic Enteropathy or IBD

Signs vary from dog to dog and may come and go. They can include:

• recurrent or persistent diarrhea
• loose stool or increased stool frequency
• vomiting or nausea
• mucus in the stool
• changes in appetite
• weight loss
• gas or abdominal discomfort
• reduced energy

These symptoms are not specific to IBD. Parasites, food reactions, pancreatic disease, infection, foreign material and other gastrointestinal disorders can cause similar signs. A dog with persistent symptoms, significant weight loss, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting or loss of appetite should be evaluated by a veterinarian rather than treated with diet alone.

What Should I Look for in an IBD-Friendly Dog Food?

Instead of shopping for a package labeled “anti-inflammatory,” evaluate the diet systematically.

1. Start with the protein source

Protein is often a major consideration in a veterinary elimination diet. Your veterinarian may recommend a hydrolyzed protein or a protein your dog has rarely or never eaten before.

What counts as “novel” depends entirely on your dog’s history. Chicken isn’t novel if your dog has eaten chicken-based foods for years.

2. Keep the diet simple during the trial

If you’re trying to determine whether food is contributing to gastrointestinal inflammation, adding treats, flavored chews, table scraps and several supplements at the same time makes the result difficult to interpret.

A successful food trial is as much about consistency as ingredient selection.

3. Look for digestibility rather than an impressive ingredient list

A food can contain dozens of fashionable ingredients and still be a poor match for a sensitive digestive system. Highly digestible diets reduce the amount of poorly digested material reaching the lower intestine and can improve nutrient availability.

4. Pay attention to fat

Fat tolerance varies among dogs with gastrointestinal disease. Some dogs do well with moderate fat, while others — particularly dogs with certain forms of chronic enteropathy — may require more careful fat restriction.

This is another reason there isn’t one universal “best food for dogs with IBD.”

5. Consider the whole diet, not one miracle ingredient

Fiber, fatty acids, protein source, digestibility, calorie density and the dog’s individual microbiome can all influence gastrointestinal health. Changing several things at once also makes it difficult to know what actually helped.

What About Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are widely studied for their roles in normal inflammatory pathways and are commonly incorporated into canine diets and supplements. Different omega-3 sources, however, provide different fatty acids.

Camelina oil is naturally rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-derived omega-3 fatty acid. Research in dogs has established camelina oil as a dietary source of fatty acids, but it should not be described as a cure or standalone treatment for canine IBD.

For a dog already eating a diet that works well, a veterinarian may determine that a supplemental source of fatty acids fits into the dog’s broader nutritional plan.

Where NatrixOne Fits

NatrixOne is a plant-based camelina oil supplement designed to provide a simple source of naturally occurring omega fatty acids.

For a dog with chronic intestinal disease, we recommend thinking of supplementation as one part of the nutritional picture — not a replacement for diagnosis, an appropriate therapeutic diet or veterinary care.

If your veterinarian has already helped you identify a diet your dog tolerates and you are considering adding a plant-based omega source, you can learn more about NatrixOne Camelina Oil here.

If your dog is currently undergoing a strict elimination or hydrolyzed-diet trial, ask your veterinarian before adding any supplement. Introducing another dietary ingredient during the trial may make the results harder to interpret.

How Do I Know Whether the New Food Is Working?

Don’t rely on memory alone. For two to four weeks, keep a simple record of:

• stool consistency
• number of bowel movements each day
• vomiting or nausea
• appetite
• body weight
• energy level
• any treats, supplements or foods given outside the primary diet

A pattern is much easier for you and your veterinarian to recognize when it is written down.

And don’t assume the first unsuccessful food means diet doesn’t matter. Some dogs respond only after trying another appropriately selected diet. Research on canine chronic enteropathy increasingly supports diet as a major component of long-term management.

Can I Feed My Dog a Homemade or Plant-Based Diet for IBD?

Homemade diets can give owners tight control over ingredients, but long-term homemade feeding needs to be nutritionally complete. Simply combining a protein, rice and vegetables does not automatically provide the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids a dog requires.

If you want to use a home-prepared or heavily plant-based diet for a dog with chronic gastrointestinal disease, work with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to formulate it properly.

You can also explore the NatrixOne recipe collection for ideas about incorporating fresh ingredients into your dog’s broader nutrition plan.

The Bottom Line: Choosing Food for a Dog With IBD

If you’re choosing food for a dog with inflammatory bowel disease or chronic enteropathy, don’t begin by looking for the longest list of “anti-inflammatory foods.” Begin by reducing uncertainty.

• Work with your veterinarian to rule out other causes of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Choose a complete, highly digestible diet appropriate for your dog’s history.
• Consider a hydrolyzed or genuinely novel protein when recommended.
• Feed the trial diet consistently without extra foods that can muddy the result.
• Track symptoms rather than guessing whether the diet is helping.
• Introduce supplements thoughtfully and one at a time.

For many dogs, nutrition isn’t merely supportive care for chronic intestinal disease. Finding the right diet can be one of the most important parts of managing it.

Learn about NatrixOne plant-based omega supplementation →