Green-Lipped Mussel for Dogs

Green-lipped mussel is one of those ingredients that dog parents keep stumbling across as soon as they take a look at the ingredients list of high-quality food. The name sounds exotic, but behind it lies a very concrete benefit for your dog: it's one of the natural sources of joint health support and is therefore deliberately used in many premium recipes. We explain what green-lipped mussel actually is, why it can be interesting for dogs, and how NANDOO uses it.

What is green-lipped mussel?

The green-lipped mussel, scientifically known as Perna canaliculus, originally comes from the coastal waters of New Zealand. It owes its name to the strikingly green-coloured edge of its shell. For pet food, it's gently dried and processed into a powder or extract, which is then mixed into the food.

What makes it particularly interesting is its natural composition: green-lipped mussel contains omega-3 fatty acids as well as glycosaminoglycans, known as GAGs for short, including chondroitin and glucosamine. These are building blocks that also occur in your dog's cartilage and connective tissue. This is exactly why green-lipped mussel has established itself as a natural ingredient in dog nutrition, with no artificial additives at all.

Why green-lipped mussel for dogs?

The glycosaminoglycans it contains are considered natural building blocks for cartilage tissue and can support joint mobility. The omega-3 fatty acids also have a positive effect on overall wellbeing and can benefit skin and coat too. It's important to us to be honest here: green-lipped mussel is a dietary supplement, not a medicine, and it doesn't cure existing joint problems. However, it can supply your dog's body with exactly the building blocks it needs for healthy joints and cartilage.

Green-lipped mussel is particularly talked about for three groups of dogs:

• Senior dogs, whose joints come under greater strain with age
• Large and heavy breeds, where body weight puts more pressure on the hips and knees
• Active and sporty dogs, who demand a lot from their musculoskeletal system through movement, jumping and exertion

Green-lipped mussel at NANDOO

At NANDOO, green-lipped mussel is a firm component of many wet food recipes. It's important to us that you, as dog parents, can see exactly what ends up in the bowl: at NANDOO, green-lipped mussel is openly named on the ingredients list, not hidden behind collective terms. This way, you always know which product it's in and in what form.

We also pay attention to the quality of the ingredient used and to it being sensibly incorporated into the respective recipe, rather than just appearing as a marketing add-on on the packaging. If you're specifically looking for recipes with green-lipped mussel, you'll find a selection in our wet food range.

Green-lipped mussel is therefore a good example of how a single, natural ingredient can be used specifically for your dog's health, once you know what matters. You'll find more such ingredients and their significance for dog nutrition in our ingredient glossary.