Is your dog living with arthritis? If so, you may be wondering how you can help them and relieve any pain they may be having.
You can get pet medication prescribed by your dog’s vet if he or she is suffering from arthritis, but there are also many natural remedies out there that may help your dog feel better.
This article will discuss the different natural remedies available to try for your dog’s arthritis to help you choose the best one.
What Causes Arthritis In Dogs?
Dogs who play too much fetch or jump high off the ground often cause damage to their joints and cartilage. Older dogs are more susceptible to arthritis than younger dogs.
Also, larger dogs are more likely to suffer joint problems than smaller dogs. Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to developing arthritis than others.
For example, German Shepherd dogs have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia which causes arthritis in later life.
Some dogs develop arthritis because of an injury such as a broken leg or dislocated shoulder. Other factors include obesity and being overweight. Obesity puts extra stress on joints and increases the risk of arthritis.
What Are The Signs Of Arthritis In Dogs?
Arthritis can cause stiffness and difficulty getting up. Weight gain, loss of energy, and lethargy can also be indications of this disease.
Dogs may become irritable and feel pain while being touched. If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, make sure to go to the vet immediately.
How Can I Prevent Arthritis In My Dog?
You can prevent arthritis in your dog by making sure they stay active and exercise regularly.
Exercise helps keep joints flexible and strong. It also reduces weight, which keeps joints healthy.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of fresh water daily. Water helps flush toxins from the body, which prevents arthritis-causing bacteria from building up in the bloodstream.
Be careful not to overfeed your dog. A diet rich in protein and carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, which can put pressure on joints and increase the chances of arthritis.
Feeding commercial diets can also be harmful to your dog’s health. Avoid giving your dog table scraps, raw meat, bones, or other foods that could harm him or her.
Talk to your veterinarian about what type of food would be best for your dog.
How Can I Help My Dog With Arthritis?
There are several things you can do to help your dog live longer and healthier. First, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.
Exercise helps keep muscles strong and bones healthy. It also improves circulation and keeps blood flowing throughout the body.
If your dog is quite old or has bad arthritis, keep exercise gentle and try to exercise your dog frequently in small chunks.
Make sure your dog has access to fresh water whenever possible. Fresh water is essential for keeping your dog hydrated. Your dog should drink at least 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water each day.
Feed your dog a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil supplements. They help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
Give your dog regular veterinary checkups. Regular visits to the veterinarian allow your vet to monitor your dog’s condition and determine whether or not medications are needed.
Can Treatments Help Your Dog With Arthritis?
There are several treatments available for arthritis in dogs. These treatments include:
Medications
There are prescription medications that can help manage certain types of arthritis. However, it is important to talk to your vet before starting any treatment. He or she will be able to tell you whether or not your dog needs to take medication.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used to treat arthritis in humans for thousands of years. It involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy through the meridians.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicine uses small amounts of substances that produce similar effects to those produced when using conventional medicines.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another form of alternative medicine that can be used to reduce inflammation and relax sore muscles.
Herbal Medicine
Herbs like turmeric, ginger, and aloe vera can be added to your dog’ s diet to relieve pain and improve digestion.
Physical Therapy
This includes exercises designed to strengthen weak muscle groups and stretch tight ones. You can try exercises at home, or take your dog to a physiotherapist who can implement a treatment plan.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove damaged tissue and repair damaged joints.
Nutritional Supplements
Some nutritional supplements have been shown to help with joint problems. Talk to your vet about which supplement might work best for your dog.
What Natural Remedies Can Help With Dog Arthritis?
Natural dog arthritis treatments can be effective in managing arthritis symptoms.
Try different methods to see which is best for your dog. You should never give any kind of medication without consulting your veterinarian first.
Supplements
Natural supplements turmeric, comfrey, and Yucca. Both of them contain anti-inflammation and pain-relieving properties.
Turmeric
This spice is rich in antioxidants and can reduce inflammation of the joints. 0.5 – 1 teaspoon of turmeric every day should help your dog start to feel better.
Comfrey
Comfrey has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties to help with inflamed joints. A normal dose of comfrey is around 0.5 – 1 teaspoon per day.
Yucca
Yucca is rich in vitamins A, B, and C and contains calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. To introduce your dog to yucca root powder, give it a concentrated dose of approximately 1/4 teaspoon.
It also contains compounds that promote the passage of nutrients to your dog’s digestive system.
CBD Oil
Dogs with arthritis can be effectively treated with CBD oil, a compound in medical marijuana.
It helps reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies show that 2-8mg twice per day can decrease a dog’s activity and arthritis pain.
Physical Therapy Methods
Physical rehabilitation helps dogs suffering from arthritis. Therapy should be done by hands-on techniques such as massage, stretching, and gently moving the joints.
Arthritic dogs need to be taken care of with therapeutic exercises, as they can improve blood flow, increase the mobility of joints and reduce pain.
Professional canine massage therapists can be accessed or pet parents can learn massage techniques to try out at home.
Acupuncture For Dogs
Dogs can be treated with acupuncture. Your vet will use needles to stimulate your dog’s nerves.
This will make your dog feel relaxed and help him/her better control his/her arthritis pain.
Regular acupuncture treatments will help your dog deal with arthritis pain.
Laser therapy
This works well for arthritis pain in dogs. PEMT (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy) helps enhance the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response.
TENS and extracorporeal shockwave therapy are other commonly recommended therapies for arthritis pain in dogs.
Final Thoughts
Arthritis is caused by inflammation, and regular exercise in combination with a variety of other treatments can help to increase joint mobility and reduce pain in dogs who are dealing with arthritis.
Pet parents should incorporate treatments into their everyday routines to help their dogs live a higher quality of life. Be sure to consult a vet to help you find the right treatment plan for your pet.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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