Dog Arthritis: The Ins And Outs Of Dog Arthritis

Kindly take note, some symptoms of dog arthritis are similar to those of other serious conditions so make sure you consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs mentioned in this article.

The food your pet eats plays an important part in his or her overall health and well-being and a nutritious balanced diet is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle.

If your pet has dog arthritis, the right food can help manage the condition and keep your pet active and comfortable.


Now you may be wondering, what exactly is dog arthritis?

As the name pertains, dog arthritis relates more to dogs although cats also do get arthritis. Dog arthritis is a general term for abnormal changes in a joint. These changes occur when cartilage is worn away faster than it can be replaced. Cartilage acts as a cushion to protect the bones, so when it wears away, joints become swollen and painful. When looking at an arthritic hip joint through an x-ray you will notice that due to dog arthritis the cartilage has degraded and bone shows signs of roughness and thickening.

Although dog arthritis is not totally curable, the good news is that nutrition can help slow disease progression and ease the pain. With the right advice from your veterinarian on dog arthritis, your dog will be able to enjoy an active, healthy life for many years to come.

Are you having doubts about your pet having dog arthritis?

If your dog has dog arthritis, the first thing you’ll notice is that he or she finds movement difficult and is reluctant to walk, run and jump. Your dog may also yelp or flinch when touched on the affected area.

Dog arthritis makes it difficult to:
• rise from rest.
• climb stairs.
• jump.
• walk and run.
• play.

So, what exactly causes dog arthritis?

There are 6 factors that contribute to the development of dog arthritis in our pets.
1 – Age: The aging process is inevitable and as pets get older, cartilage will begin to degenerate. To some extent most elderly dogs suffer from dog arthritis.
2 – Breed: Large dog breeds are more prone to dog arthritis. These include: Dobermans, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers.
3 – Excess Weight: Weight gain puts extra stress or strain on the joints which can lead to dog arthritis.
4 – Accidents and Damage: Joints can deteriorate as a result of stress or trauma caused by accidents.
5 – Congenital Defects: Some pets are born with conditions that make dog arthritis more like later in life.
6 – Infection: Occasionally, an infection can lead to the destruction of joint tissue and cartilage.

Your Checklist

• If you suspect your dog has dog arthritis consult your veterinarian straight away.
• Only feed food recommended by your veterinarian.
• Visit your veterinarian for regular weight checks and advice on diet and exercise.
• Don’t let your dog scavenge for food and avoid feeding scraps or titbits.
• Always provide plenty of clean, fresh water.
• Make a note of things your dog finds difficult and monitor these for signs of improvement in mobility.
• Provide a warm, padded bed and make sure you dry your pet properly after exercise.
• If the signs do not get better or recur, contact your veterinarian.

You don’t have to accept dog arthritis as an inevitable sign of aging. Sometimes veterinarian medicine and dog arthritis treatment can be expensive and that’s why I have found the best natural remedy out there for dog arthritis that is very cost effective. The all-natural Pet Bounce Product. Pet Bounce eliminates joint pain and inflammation and is proven to manage dog arthritis and improve mobility, keeping your dog active and playful.
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Helping A Dog With Arthritis

“There’s no one remedy for arthritis in dogs, and what may be effective for one animal may not be sufficient for another,” remarked Dr. Levine, who concluded, “The best thing pet owners can do is to keep their pet active and at a healthy weight. And begin thinking about arthritis when middle age rolls around because the sooner you begin arthritis treatment for your dog, the better.”

The fact of the matter is that, just as humans do, dogs can suffer from arthritis as well and the effects can be just as weakening and devastating. Rest assured though that proper treatment of a dog with arthritis can considerably improve the quality of that pets life.

As it has become known arthritis doesn’t only affect humans. Cats although not too often and especially dogs suffer from joint pain caused by arthritis, inflexibility, stiffness and mobility problems. Luckily for any dog or cat out there handling arthritis through supplements, medications and changes in lifestyle can drastically improve the quality of a pet's life.

Typically arthritis occurs during the middle ages of a dogs life, therefore for a small or medium sized dog, symptoms start to develop themselves by age seven or eight. Now sadly with a large or giant sized breed of dog, arthritis symptoms can begin to manifest themselves as early as age four or five.

Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

It is very important for pet owners to know and understand the symptoms of dog arthritis. Starting the treatment for arthritis as early as possible will help slow the progression of arthritis in dogs.

Usually in dogs, arthritis becomes visible as joint and hip stiffness and inflexibility especially in the mornings or when the weather is cold. It is not uncommon for a dog with arthritis to have a stiff walk.

In the more advanced stages of the arthritis, the pet will lose range of motion becoming immobile; may even experience difficulty getting up; will appear unbalanced or unsteady while walking and the dog’s stride length particularly in the rear legs will become short than usual, with the feet remaining close to the ground due to the limited range of motion and inflexibility.

Managing a Dog's Arthritis Pain and Stiffness

Below are a few pointers that can help pet owners with a dog's arthritis, slowing its advancement and most importantly improving the pets’ quality of life especially the elderly dogs.

• Sleeping in an elevated bed will help keep pets off the cold floor and will make getting up easier, therefore reducing the stiffness and pain that occurs due to exposure to cold.
• Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the strain on the joints and therefore slowing the progression of arthritis and other joint ailments.
• Regular low-impact exercise will help maintain mobility while keeping the body trim and in shape. Avoid jogging and running as this can be painful for the dog. Instead, opt for walking or swimming and be sure to provide “warm up” and “cool down” sessions before and after each exercise session as sudden starting and stopping exercise is traumatic on the joints.
• Massage can help improve stiffness that results from arthritis. Start at the end of the extremities and move in toward the heart. Massage also serves to relax pets, while providing the owner with an opportunity to feel for any bumps, cuts or other abnormalities that may require attention.
• Providing the proper bed will help reduce stiffness and pain, particularly in the morning. Maintain a warm sleeping area for pets away from drafts. Beds should also be firm in order to provide support to the hips, shoulders, spine and neck. Orthopedic foam beds, placed on a raised bed platform will be highly helpful for your pet.
• Heat can help minimize stiffness and pain, particularly in the morning or on a cold day. Applying a microwavable heat pack or a heating pad for 20 minutes at a time, two or three times a day, can help lessen arthritis discomfort. Problem areas often include the shoulders, back and hips.
• Supplementation can slow and even reverse some of the joint damage. Glucosamine-Chondroitin supplements, often containing the anti-inflammatory MSM, have been found to be extremely effective in the management of arthritis.
• Medication can help dogs who are in need of a bit more pain relief. Aspirin can be effective in many cases, and it’s generally well tolerated. You can also help your pet with homeopathic ingredients which have historically been used to help treat the symptoms of joint pain by getting Pet Bounce Homeopathic Oral Drops for Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief. For more advanced cases, prescription medications can be beneficial. Speak with your pet’s veterinarian if you feel that medication may improve your pet’s quality of life.

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