As your dog ages, the cartilage on the surfaces of its joints may get thinner, increasing its susceptibility to developing arthritis. Your dog will benefit in the long run from your knowledge of how to treat and prevent the disease.
Arthritis is frequent in older dogs and larger canines. Affected canines develop arthritic, uncushioned joints. As a result, your dog’s bones tend to rub directly against one another, causing discomfort and pain. The constant bone-on-bone friction could lead to the creation of a new bone, making it even more difficult for your dog to move.
Arthritis in dogs is a degenerative condition with no known cure. However, there are natural therapies that might aid your dog in coping with the sickness.
What are the Causes of Dog Arthritis?
Arthritis affects many dogs, especially the old. Canine arthritis affects almost 20% of dogs at some time in their lives, and it is not limited to a senior dog. If your dog is an arthritic breed, keep an eye out for early indicators.
Arthritis is a disease that affects dogs’ bones and joints. In dogs with rheumatoid arthritis, both their quality of life and health is diminished. Nevertheless, arthritis can occur in any dog breed or size as a result of disease or injury.
The disease is more prone to manifest itself in older canines. With aging, the fluids that lubricate and protect joints dwindle, resulting in painful bone-on-bone contact and friction. Additionally, arthritis creates swelling in your dog’s joints. Natural, homeopathic, and herbal medicines are effective in the treatment of canine arthritis.
If your veterinarian believes your dog requires routine therapy (pain medications and anti-inflammatories, for example), you should follow his or her advice. The majority of arthritic dogs require treatment to maintain their comfort. Always get advice from your dog’s veterinarian regarding treatment choices.
Numerous factors might contribute to the degeneration of your dog’s joints and cartilage.
Several examples follow:
- The joints of aging dogs deteriorate and become fragile.
- Repeated injuries like fractures or ligament tears increase the risk of joint and cartilage damage.
- Larger dogs are more prone to arthritis than smaller canines. The extra weight puts pressure on the joints, causing cartilage deterioration.
- Certain dog breeds are predisposed to arthritis due to their genetics, physical structure, and growth.
What are the Signs that Your Dog Has Arthritis?
If you’re concerned that your dog may be suffering from arthritis, the following are some symptoms to watch for:
- Movement that is stiff or lethargic
- Difficulty rising
- Rapid weight increase
- Behavioral modifications (e.g., irritability)
- Energy depletion
- When touched, there is discomfort.
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately so they can administer the right dog arthritis medication.
Home Remedies for Joint Pain
Weight Management
The most critical aspect of therapy is weight management, Dr. Morgan states. A dog that is over 5% overweight will experience diminished mobility.
The majority of pets are significantly overweight. Getting the pet to have a lean body weight can significantly reduce the number of treatments required and drug usage. Learn ways to assist your overweight dog in losing weight.
Ensure Proper Nutrition
Avoid processed foods that may induce joint inflammation in favor of natural whole grains and fruits. Additionally, vegetables high in nutrients such as antioxidants that aid in the battle against inflammation should be included in your pet’s diet. Fatty oils, such as those found in salmon and sardines, are also beneficial for your dog’s diet.
Practice Physical Therapy
Physical rehabilitation is another approach to assist your dog in coping with arthritis. Therapeutic exercise is extremely beneficial for dogs that are afflicted with degenerative joint conditions. After all, physical therapy is intended to strengthen your dog’s muscles, increase joint mobility, and alleviate general pain.
Massage, stretching, and gentle joint manipulation are all examples of hands-on treatments used in your pet’s physical therapy. These gentle exercises and movements can help alleviate discomfort, increase the range of motion in affected areas, and increase blood flow.
Try Acupuncture
You can also incorporate acupuncture into your dog’s regimen at this time. A veterinarian will stimulate the nerves of your arthritic dog throughout the treatment by placing needles into specific locations of his or her body. This therapy will aid in the enhancement of blood flow as well as the relaxation of the muscles. Your dog’s arthritic stiffness can be alleviated more easily if you give him regular acupuncture treatments.
The best supplements for joint pain
This is a list of supplements that are good for dogs. Many products contain a mix of supplements from this list.
- Turmeric
- Sea cucumber
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
- Glucosamine
- Chondroitin sulfate
- methylsulfonylmethane
- Green-lipped mussel
- superoxide dismutase
- Fortetropin (fertilized chicken egg yolk powder)
- avocado/soybean unsaponifiables
How can I help my dog who has pain in his joints all the time, live more comfortably?
Try making these changes to your dog’s space to help him or her deal with arthritis:
Use portable ramps or steps to get your dog to places where it can’t jump anymore.
Give thick bedding, like memory foam or an orthopedic pad. Joint pain can also be helped by heated dog beds or heating pads made just for dogs (the temperature should be warm but not hot to the touch). Make sure your dog’s bed is big enough for it to stretch out if it has sore joints and needs to take the pressure off.
Make a path for your dog to walk on with non-slip rugs or yoga mats if your floors don’t have carpet (use individual extra-long mats, or look for 100-foot rolls of yoga mat material, available online).
Keep their nails trimmed and cut away any extra fur around her paw pads. The pads on a dog’s paws give it grip, but if the pads are dry or worn down, they don’t grip well. Try putting a thin layer of Bag Balm or Musher’s Secret on them. A paw balm can also be made in your kitchen. For better grip, you can also wear booties or toe grips. (It may take your dog a while to get used to them.)
Raise your dog’s food and water bowls off the floor so it doesn’t have to bend or strain when it’s time to eat or drink.
If your dog has trouble getting up or moving around, use a lifting harness or support sling.
Frequently Asked Question
Is My Dog Going to Improve?
Though there is no cure for arthritis, there are numerous therapies that can help your pet live a long and fulfilling life.
