Eggshell Membrane is an ingredient derived from the protective barrier that remains in the shells of broken eggs.

What makes the eggshell membrane so unique?

It contains a number of naturally derived substances including:

• Collagen – A fibrous protein that supports cartilage and connective tissue strength and elasticity.
• Elastin – A protein that supports skin, cardiovascular, cartilage and spinal health. Elastin gives the tissue its elastic tension and the ability to resume its shape after stretching.
• Desmosine and isodesmosine – Two amino acids that are responsible for elastin’s elastic or “rubbery” properties.
• Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) – Includes glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid – vital polysaccharides that are structural components of connective tissue, interstitial fluids and skeletal structure.
• Transforming growth factor B – A protein that plays a crucial role in cellular differentiation and immune function.

Eggshell membrane, with all these valuable components working together, helps:

• Support a healthy range of motion.
• Promote a healthy inflammatory response.
• Promote enhanced skin health.

Because eggshell membrane naturally contains many of the same key substances found in healthy joint cartilage, including glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin and hyaluronic acid), collagen and peptides, it offers:

• Support for your pet’s joint comfort and flexibility
• Easing of joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity
• Maintenance of cartilage and connective tissue
• Fast and continued support for your pet’s overall joint health

There are a number of positive human studies on eggshell membranes, and now a study based on dogs shows similar results.

A recent six-week study with 51 dogs at eight different veterinary clinics was set up to evaluate changes in joint function after weeks one and six. Researchers looked at pain, quality of life, mobility, lameness and a serum biomarker for cartilage degradation.

The results proved supplementing with eggshell membrane created positive changes in joint function and joint comfort within one week of use.

Profound cartilage support and improved quality of life were reported by pet owners and veterinarians following six weeks of supplementation with eggshell membrane.

Certified organic, Bark & Whiskers’ beef collagen comes from a trusted source.

Collagen is naturally found in your pet’s joints and connective tissue. It makes up as much as 90% of muscle, tendons, ligaments and other joint-supporting tissues.

Through its ability to create a fibrous network of collagen, your pet’s cartilage can entrap circulating joint building blocks and provide strength to the surrounding tissue.

As your pets age, their capacity to produce collagen fades, making them more susceptible to injuries and painful bone and joint conditions, as well as poor skin and coat health. Age-related joint and tissue pain is largely due to the loss and breakdown of their bodies’ collagen.

The collagen from organic beef bone broth in Bark & Whiskers™ Joint Support offers types I, II and III of collagen, providing support for both cartilage tissue and bone health.

Recent testing reveals popular non-organic collagen products contain potentially hazardous contaminants, including antibiotics, steroids, prescription drug metabolites, parabens and even insecticides.

This suggests that much of the non-organic collagen is coming from factory-farmed animals or animals raised in CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations). If collagen is an ingredient in any supplement you give your pet, it must be Certified USDA Organic, for your pet’s well-being.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is present in every tissue of your pet’s body. One of the most important functions it performs is to retain water, second only to providing nutrients and removing waste from cells that lack a direct blood supply, such as cartilage cells.

As we discovered earlier, cartilage is a specialised form of connective tissue, that lends strength and flexibility to your pet’s body. A key component of cartilage is HA.

Your pet’s joints are surrounded by a membrane called the synovial membrane, which forms a capsule around the ends of the bones. This membrane secretes a liquid called synovial fluid into the joint cavities, which serve as a lubricant and shock absorber.

Synovial fluid functions to protect your pet’s joints and bones during normal movement. Cartilage is immersed in and fed by this fluid, giving you an idea of why it is so important to joint health. Without HA, nutrients can’t move into these cells, and waste can’t be moved out.

Unfortunately, the process of normal ageing in your pet reduces the amount of HA produced.

That’s where HA may help.

The HA in Bark & Whiskers™ Joint Support is a special, patented low-density form, which is more easily absorbed into joint tissues than traditional HA.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods in very small amounts. Published research shows MSM to be safe and effective in promoting joint comfort and supporting a normal range of motion in animals.

MSM provides two essential substances:

1. Sulfur – a vital building block of your pet's joints, cartilage, nerve tissue, skin, hair nails and more
2. Methyl groups – support many vital biochemical processes in your pet's body, including energy production

The sulfur in MSM helps promote flexibility and elasticity of body tissue and helps maintain cell membrane permeability. MSM also acts as a powerful antioxidant, scavenging free radicals and aiding in muscle function and joint fluid production.

Dr Karen Becker states that adding MSM to her Joint Support formula was a must, but she didn’t stop there. She further added three more ingredients to support our pet’s joint health:

1. Bromelain – a proteolytic enzyme from fresh pineapple, helps promote a normal immune response in humans and animals.
2. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – a powerful antioxidant to help reduce free radical production, and because it's pH balanced, it's gentle on your pet's stomach.
3. BioPerine^® Black Pepper – a patented extract obtained from black pepper fruits (Piper nigrum) standardised minimum to 95% Piperine to help your pet absorb the beneficial compounds in the formula.