This post is sponsored by Nupro. I’ve been compensated by Nupro to share my opinion of their product. However, Heart Like a Dog will never share products that we don’t use ourselves. All opinions expressed within are ours. 

You all know Sampson has been struggling with Cruciate issues since 2014. That’s three years ya’ll. Three long and painful years of watching my dog struggle.

Struggle to get up, struggle to walk, struggle to be comfortable. During these three long (did I mention they were long) years, we’ve tried a number of different products and treatments in an effort to help ease that struggle. Some of course, like anything else, have worked better than others.

Every once in a while, you find a treatment that has a dual purpose. For us that treatment is NUPRO Joint and Immunity Support for dogs. (I refer to this as, “The Silver Label”.)

I first found out about Nupro at our local pet expo. With Sampson’s struggles, I’m always on the lookout for new products. I was given a very generous supply of Nupro to see how it might help Sampson.

There is also a Gold label which is a totally holistic product chock full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and essential omega fatty acids. 

The container we received is five pounds and quite large. For a dog Sampson’s size (87 pounds) the recommended dosage is 2 scoops to begin and after a month, you can reduce it to one scoop per day. Depending on your dog’s issues, you can also keep it at two scoops per day, which I do. The five pound jug lasts us close to two months.

The ingredients. Oh so important to us! There are no wheat, corn or soy fillers!

Glucosamine, MSM, Ester-C (a mineral blend of Vitamin C), Norwegian Kelp, Ground Flaxseed, Yeast, Desicated Liver, Amino Acids and Enzymes, Garlic, Calcium, Lecithin, Lactobacillus Acidophilus.

Initially I waited to add this to Sampson’s diet. He had his annual exam towards the end of November and I had scheduled a follow-up with another vet at our clinic who’s been very helpful with Sampson’s joint issues. I wanted to be sure that everything we were doing was complimentary, not detrimental. I had received some samples at the expo, so I brought those with me and got the ok from Dr. Atz to try it.

The directions say you can sprinkle it on their food, or make it into a gravy. At first I started sprinkling, but then I was struck by brilliance, and realized that Sampson doesn’t drink a lot, so if I made it into a gravy, I’d not only be helping his joint issues, I’d be giving his kidneys a little boost too. (You have to love a product that serves a dual purpose!)

We feed raw, so I don’t pour it over his food. Instead he gets the Nupro as the third course, or “dessert” part of his dinner. (Yeah you read that right, my dogs get a three-course meal. That’s two (count em), two courses more than I get.) After he’s cleaned his bowl, and had his small scoop of pumpkin, I mix up the Nupro. I use a small milk pitcher, (because it has a spout) for ease of pouring. I call it his, “Go-go juice” and if I’m a bit slow in the mixing, he comes over to wait while I do it. I use a bit of warm water, add the Nupro, mix it up with a fork and then add a bit of cold water and mix again.

Sampson loves this stuff. I’ve said to Hubby, “Even if it wasn’t doing anything for him, I’d give it to him anyway because he loves it so much.” Siriusly, his little front paws ‘dance’ while he waits for him. And of course, Delilah is waiting by his side, so she can lick his bowl clean. (Because, the Lab part of Sampson doesn’t lick. Right) **eyeroll**

I wanted to wait a good while before sharing this because Sampson is a dog who is slow to adapt to things. We know this. Both from the surgical repair on his knee, and his recovery from the non-surgically repaired knee.

I can tell you, after five full months on Nupro, I definitely see a difference for him.  He has far less shaking in his back legs when he’s in the house. He seems to get on and off the sofa, and bed with far less discomfort and there are even days when he will pick up a toy and fetch it or tug with it. Of course, with his issues we try to discourage any sirius physical activity.

But what about the cost, I hear you say? Well in my humble opinion, the price is quite reasonable. This five pound container sells for less than $40. Which means this costs me about 66 cents a day.  (You can also buy it in a 20 pound container, which saves you about $80.)

I don’t know about you, but for me, 66 cents a day is a small price to pay to help give my dog some comfort in his senior years. It’s less than a cup of coffee.

Am I telling you to give up your coffee?

Hell to the no!

I say be like Jodi. Keep your coffee. Considering cutting something from your grocery bill that you buy for your husband. I’m cutting out his cookies…;-)

Oh, and another cool thing, Nupro isn’t just for dogs. Nupro makes supplements for cats and ferrets too!