What is Collagen? Your Dog's Master Protein
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your dog's body, making up about 30% of their total protein content. Think of it as the master "scaffolding" that provides strength, structure, and elasticity to nearly every part of their body.
Think of it like a "collagen bank account." Throughout your dog's life, their body is constantly making deposits (producing new collagen) and withdrawals (natural breakdown from daily activity). In a young, healthy dog, the deposits keep pace with the withdrawals, so their "account" stays full.
- Joints & Connective Tissue: It forms the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that allow for smooth, comfortable movement.
- Skin & Coat: It's the primary structural component of the dermis, the skin's thickest layer, keeping it hydrated and resilient .
- Gut Lining: It provides critical amino acids that help maintain the integrity of the intestinal wall.
- Bones: It creates the essential protein matrix that gives bones their strength and ability to withstand stress .
As dogs age, their natural ability to make "deposits" slows down, but the "withdrawals" continue. Their collagen account becomes overdrawn.
This depletion can lead to the visible signs we all worry about: joint stiffness, a dull coat, itchy skin, and digestive issues .
What Are The Different 'Types' of Collagen For Dogs?
It’s helpful to think of collagen not as a single ingredient, but as different types of building materials, each with a specific job.
- Type I & III Collagen: These are the most important and abundant types, making up the vast majority of your dog's total collagen. They are the primary building blocks for skin, bones, and, crucially, the that stabilize and support the joints . A strong, supple joint capsule and resilient connective tissues are all dependent on a rich supply of Types I and III.
- Type II Collagen: This is a more specialized type, found predominantly in the cartilage that cushions the joints. While important, it only represents a small fraction of the body's total collagen.
A comprehensive approach to your dog's health requires supporting the entire structure. By replenishing the body's most-used collagen (Types I & III), the foundational "scaffolding" that holds the joint together is strengthened.
The Key to Unlocking These Benefits: Hydrolysed Peptides
For your dog to get the full benefits of collagen, their body has to be able to absorb and use it.
The natural, unprocessed form is known as Undenatured Collagen. In this state, it is insoluble, has a large molecular weight, and is resistant to the enzymes that would normally break it down, meaning it is not effectively digested or absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
This is why the form of the collagen powder for dogs is so important. Our supplements use Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides.
Hydrolysis is a gentle, natural enzymatic process that "unlocks" the large collagen molecule, breaking it down into tiny, highly effective pieces called peptides. These peptides are specific, "bioavailable" chains of amino acids that are essentially pre-digested, making them incredibly easy for your dog's body to absorb.
Crucially, scientific studies have shown that after being ingested, these hydrolysed peptides are rapidly absorbed from the gut, travel intact through the bloodstream, and "significantly accumulate in cartilage" and other tissues . This proven absorption is the key - it means the building blocks are delivered directly to where they are needed most to support your dog's joints, skin, and gut from the inside out.
That's why we only use Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides.
What is Happening in My Dog's Joints?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in dogs, affecting nearly 20% of all dogs over one year old. It’s a condition where the protective cartilage that cushions their joints begins to break down faster than the body can repair it.
In a healthy joint, this cartilage acts like a smooth, durable "shock absorber." It's a living tissue made of a strong framework of collagen and a gel-like substance that holds water, providing essential cushioning.
In a joint with OA, a destructive cycle begins:
1. Cartilage Begins to Break Down: Due to age, genetics, or injury, the cartilage cells can become damaged.
2. A Vicious Cycle Starts: These damaged cells release destructive enzymes that start eating away at the cartilage's collagen framework. This causes pain and triggers an inflammatory response.
3. Inflammation Worsens the Problem: The inflammation signals the body to continue this destructive process, leading to even more cartilage loss.
Essentially, the joint's "shock absorber" wears thin, which leads to the symptoms we see: stiffness, swelling, pain, and a reluctance to play or exercise.
The most effective way to help is to interrupt this cycle. This means providing the body with the right nutritional building blocks to support the health of the remaining cartilage and the entire joint structure. The most important of these building blocks is collagen.
The 5 Core Benefits of Daily Dog Collagen Supplementation
Replenishing your dog's collagen provides a powerful, multi-system boost to their health and vitality.
1. Supports Flexible Joints & Lasting Mobility
This is the most well-known benefit. By providing the building blocks for tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, collagen helps maintain cushion and flexibility in the joints.
2. Promotes Healthy Skin & a Lustrous Coat
True coat health starts from within. Collagen helps maintain skin elasticity and hydration, which leads to a visibly healthier, more resilient skin barrier. This is your dog's first line of defence against common skin issues.
3. Aids Digestion and Supports Gut Health
The amino acids in collagen, particularly glycine, play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the gut lining. This helps soothe the digestive system and supports healthy nutrient absorption .
4. Strengthens Nails and Paw Pads
Brittle, cracked nails can often be a sign of a collagen deficiency. By providing the core protein that makes up nails, a daily supplement helps strengthen them from the inside, reducing breakage and discomfort .
5. Maintains a Strong Skeletal Framework
Collagen provides the critical protein matrix within bones, which is essential for their strength, density, and ability to withstand the daily stresses of an active life. This supports your dog’s overall structural robustness from puppyhood through their senior years .
How to Choose the Right Collagen for Your Dog
Based on the science, a daily collagen supplement is a foundational pillar of canine wellness. We offer two distinct formulas to provide the exact support your dog needs:
- For Daily Foundational Wellness: Our Pure Collagen is the perfect choice for dogs of all ages. It delivers 100% pure hydrolysed collagen peptides to provide all five core benefits listed above, supporting their long-term health from the inside out.
- For Targeted Joint Support: Our Mobility & Joints is our advanced 6-in-1 blend for dogs showing signs of stiffness or needing extra support. It combines our powerful collagen peptides with other proven ingredients like Glucosamine and Hyaluronic Acid for maximum pain-free movement and mobility .
