Dog arthritis
Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a very common and painful disease that affects approximately 25% of dogs. Some people believe that limping is the primary symptom of arthritis in dogs, but dogs are very good at hiding pain and may never limp.
When some dogs develop arthritis, they may simply become less active or exhibit stiffness when getting up. Observant dog owners can spot visible signs of arthritis in their dogs' legs.
Because dogs are such selfless creatures and people-pleasers, be cautious when your dog conceals arthritis pain in order to make you happy. They frequently do this by attempting to maintain a positive outlook on life despite their severe pain.
If your dog has decreased activity, frequently licks the affected joints, and exhibits an overall change in behavior, such as if they used to love eating their food and now don't eat as much, used to love going for a car ride with you but no longer attempt to come with you, or growls or nips at family members when they try to pet or move them in some way, it is likely experiencing arthritic pain.
Dog joint care tips
Dogs suffer from arthritis in the same way that humans do. Unfortunately, dogs will not tell their owners about the pain they are feeling as a result of arthritic joints. As a result, every dog parent must be aware of any visible signs of the dog's slow movement, as well as other telltale signs of arthritis in the dog's front legs, back or hind legs, and knees.
Here are some Joint care for dogs suggestions to help you relieve your dog's arthritis pain:
- Prevent the signs of arthritis before they start or combat them if they appear
You can protect your dog from experiencing signs of arthritis-related pain by actually preventing the signs from manifesting, or combating them if they manifest, using joint supplements for dogs.
I began applying this tip when a former college mate who works as the lead veterinarian at Antinol UK told me that the best way to alleviate a dog’s arthritic pain is to ensure that it doesn’t develop in the first instance.
With that advice, I worked on a dog joint care program that involved exercises, proper nutritional diets, and use of joint supplements that promote dog joint health and cartilage development.
Antinol for dogs has been my best dog joint supplement as it has helped me over the years to keep my dogs active and youthful for longer. With regular dosages of the supplement, I have witnessed significant improvements in my dogs that had begun to exhibit signs of arthritis.
Just as careful as cat parents are with cat arthritis supplements, every dog parent needs to play it safe when considering giving their furry friends joint supplements for dogs. That is because dogs are different, and what worked for one dog may be harmful for another. Consulting a veterinarian is crucial when considering giving your dog a pain-relieving supplement.
- Providing more cushions and NSAIDs
Just imagine having achy joints. What do you think will make you feel more comfortable? Most likely, you’ll like to try to stay active with good diets and exercises, take some sort of pain-relieving supplement, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but above all, you’ll need a comfortable place to relax.
Dogs, too, require the same. Providing cushions for your arthritic dog helps them to relax comfortably and not endure the pain they would experience if they relaxed on a hard floor. Combined with NSAIDs that play a major role in controlling dog joint pain and inflammation, cushions enable your dog to live comfortably despite having arthritis.
- Physical therapy
Physical therapy, such as appropriate forms of regular exercise, can be extremely beneficial in relieving the pain experienced by dogs with arthritis. Many dog owners in our community also indicate that hydrotherapy or water therapy has been very helpful in alleviating arthritic pain in their dogs. Others have reported about how holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, have helped their dogs with arthritic pain.
Learn as many ways you can alleviate your dog’s arthritic pain as possible
Arthritis in dogs causes pain, inflammation, and swelling that can make even the simplest of efforts, such as walking or getting up from a nap, quite painful and uncomfortable for your dog. It is essential for every dog parent to reflect on the possibility of their dog having arthritic pain now or in the future and do something about it.
Dog owners must constantly learn how to help their dogs' arthritic pain and discomfort, such as consulting their veterinarians about the effective treatments that are currently available, controlling their dogs' weight and diet, installing comfort-enhancing infrastructure, experimenting with massages and appropriate exercises, and making time for grooming their pets.