Do you know what collagen is? Because I don’t. So, we are going to learn together.
The first time I heard about collagen was when my mom said she needed more of it. After some Googling, I learned that collagen is an important protein found in connective tissue in animals and humans. It provides strength and structure to multiple tissues such as skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Collagen aids in maintaining the integrity and elasticity of tissues (Healthline, 2024).
It makes more sense why my mom wanted more of it. Collagen in the body decreases over time which contributes to aging. It can be a reason why someone wrinkles and their joints start to stiffen, making them hurt more in the winter. She started to talk about needing collagen when she hit that 50-year-old mark…
You must be thinking “Why do dogs need collagen?” Like humans, collagen for dogs is important. Think about your hard-working dog: fetching your ducks and herding your cattle. Your dog that travels, hikes and is active with you. Their bodies endure a lot and are aging just like us.
Collagen for dogs will support their joint health, cushioning their joints, enhancing their flexibility and decreasing the risk of arthritis. It also benefits their skin and coat health. With collagen they have a shinier coat and less dry/irritated skin. Another benefit of collagen is bone strength, especially for an energetic dog - strong, healthy bones are important. Collagen helps maintain bone density and strength. Collagen also aids in digestive health and helps maintain the health of their gut lining, benefiting the overall digestive function and reducing issues like leaky gut syndrome (NativePath).
When dogs chew on bones, they can ingest collagen along with other nutrients present in the bone. Giving your dog collagen will keep them happy, healthy, active, and young.
Hope this answered our question of what collagen is!
-Isabelle from Hank & Roy
Collagen: Benefits, Side Effects, and More (healthline.com)
Collagen for Dogs: Here Are 6 Things You Need to Know (nativepath.com)