Dog arthritis is one of the most common ailments among senior pets.
After seeing white fur around their muzzle, arthritis is often one of the first signs your dog is aging.
Although it isn’t curable, many canine arthritis natural remedy options are easy to find and administer.
Dog arthritis isn’t curable, but it is treatable.
It’s hard to see your dog in pain. With treatment, arthritis pain relief is possible.
What is Dog Arthritis?
Aging or overweight dogs frequently suffer from osteoarthritis.
Mechanical wear and tear on joints is the most common cause of osteoarthritis, also simply called arthritis.
Deterioration of joint cartilage often results in loss of lubrication between the joints.
When joints lose lubrication, the body tries to produce more synovial fluid, resulting in joint swelling.
Left untreated, joints break down, causing small fractures and bone spurs to develop.
The friction and bone spurs cause pain as the joint capsule stretches and rubs against nerves and bone.
What Are Dog Arthritis Causes?
Overweight dogs are more susceptible to developing arthritis. Excess weight puts added stress on their joints.
Once dogs lose weight, their joints may be able to regain healthy function.
Older dogs are the most common sufferers of arthritis.
Age can cause tears in the ligaments and tendons surrounding the knee and hip ball and socket.
What Are Dog Arthritis Symptoms?
Limping and stiffness are the two most common canine arthritis symptoms.
However, arthritis may reveal itself in your dog with different symptoms.
Limping
Arthritis affects dogs differently.
However, arthritis has some tell-tale signs across dog sizes and breeds.
For example, limping is a common symptom of dog arthritis.
If your pet limps, take them to the veterinarian to rule out injury.
Chronic, or long-term limping, often appears in early-stage arthritis.
Limping typically develops in the front leg elbows, but many arthritic dogs limp with their front and back legs.
Back leg limping often occurs in the knee and the hip. The knee is the intersection of many ligaments and tendons, which tear with age, causing arthritis.
Genetic malformations, overuse and poor muscle development contribute to injury in the hip ball and socket.
Stiffness
Larger breeds commonly experience stiffness, but it appears across all breeds.
Stiffness occurs when joint pain causes hesitation to bend joints.
Dogs may be slow to rise from lying down, or walk without bending their joints.
Trouble getting up often occurs when arthritis affects the lumbosacral joint in the back.
Arthritis dogs also slide more on tile and hardwood floors.
Many dogs whine when rising or moving, due to the pain in their joints.
Some dogs experience behavior changes, such as aggression, as a result of the pain they’re feeling.
Commonly, many dogs appear lethargic. They are resting because it is less painful to stay still.
Dog Arthritis Pain Relief Options
Pet parents have a variety of dog arthritis pain relief options.
Mild arthritis pain is typically treated with less aggressive treatments.
Severe and long term dog arthritis is often treated with multiple strategies.
Many pet parents combine Eastern and Western remedies.
Most Popular Pharmaceutical Treatments For Canine Arthritis
There are two common pharmaceutical treatments for dog arthritis: Rimadyl and Aspirin.
Rimadyl
Rimadyl is an FDA approved dog arthritis pain medicine used to reduce inflammation caused by arthritis and increase mobility.
Dogs typically take one or two doses daily.
Side effects include gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Rimadyl is a popular remedy for its proven ability to ease arthritis symptoms.
Aspirin
NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a short-term approach for acute canine arthritis pain.
Aspirin has several potential side effects, including stomach ulcers or digestive issues.
Depending on the size and age of your dog, you’ll use either aspirin or baby aspirin.
Before giving aspirin to your pet, consult your veterinarian.
Natural Remedy Options
Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physical therapy are all great natural remedies.
Additionally, your veterinarian may recommend an all-natural supplement.
A supplement containing creatine, green-lipped mussel and glucosamine more effectively helps your pup than one alone.
Glucosamine
Healthy joint fluid and cartilage contain glucosamine. Injury or wear and tear degrades joint fluid. A glucosamine supplement can help restore the damaged fluid and tissue.
Creatine
Creatine helps muscles produce energy. As dogs age, they lose muscle mass. Loss of muscle mass put more stress on the joints. Aging and arthritic joints benefit from strengthened muscles.
Green-Lipped Mussel
A study by The American Society for Nutritional Sciences shows green-lipped mussel may be beneficial to dogs with symptoms of arthritis.
More Powerful Tools for Overcoming Dog Arthritis Challenges
There are many quick and easy changes you can make at home to help you give your dog an edge on easing dog arthritis pain.
- Learn more about dog arthritis.
- Try cooking for your dog or feeding a high-quality dog food. Home-cooked diets and wet food helps keep your pet from gaining too much weight. In turn, less weight means less stress on your dog’s bones and joints. PET | TAO’s Chill and Blaze are top choices for arthritic dogs.
- Ease your dog’s discomfort naturally. PET | TAO’s Comfort is a blend of Eastern herbs and Western supplements to soothe your dog’s arthritic challenges to make him/her more comfortable.
- Provide joint support. PET | TAO’s Harmonize Joint is a blend of Eastern herbs and Western supplements working together to lubricate and restore your dog’s joints.
- Try Freeze Dried Kidney Treats. According to TCVM, Kidney controls the bones and joints and supports arthritic challenges in a “like treats like” manner.
- Learn more about TCVM Herbal Remedies. Chinese medicine offers many amazing natural solutions for dog arthritis. Some good examples are:
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