3 Tips to Help Your Dog Deal with Canine Arthritis

Dogs can suffer from arthritis in the same manner as people. Known as canine arthritis this degenerative joint disease that can cause pain and discomfort in your dog when the cartilage in its joints wears down. Though young pups can occasionally be afflicted by arthritis, it is usually older dogs that are likely to suffer from it.

Before I describe ways that you can help your dog deal with canine arthritis, it is important that you know how to identify the disease. If your dog constantly experiences difficulty in jumping or squatting to take care of its business, arthritis may be the cause. Also, watch for persistent limping or trouble getting up. These can also be signs that your dog has arthritis.

Once you have identified that your dog has canine arthritis, use the following tips to make life more manageable and enjoyable for your dog.

Tip #1: Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Similar to the joints in humans, dogs' joints can undergo excess pressure if too much weight is repeatedly placed on them. If your dog is significantly overweight, the extra stress placed on your dog's joints could be exacerbating its arthritis. This can cause prolonged pain and swelling in the joints.

To help your dog lose weight, feed your dog a diet with ample amounts of minerals, vitamins, calcium and vegetables. These ingredients are important for your dog to develop healthy bones. Further, these ingredients are usually low in fat and will not cause your dog to gain weight. Combine this with several short walks throughout the day. When your dog is suffering from canine arthritis, getting exercise becomes a critical in helping it recover.

Tip #2: Use Medication To Ease Your Dog's Arthritis

There are several medications that are specifically designed to slow the wearing down of your dog's joints while promoting the rebuilding of the cartilage inside. These medications will also help to ease the pain your dog is feeling and increase its ability to move around easily.

Aspirin is used most often to ease a dog's pain when suffering from arthritis. If you decide to use anything stronger, consult with a veteranarian to learn which medication is best for your dog. If aspirin does not relieve your dog's discomfort, try using carprofen. Recently, more dog owners have been using drugs known as "chondroprotective agents" to help repair any cartilage that has been worn down in a dog's joints.

Tip #3: Pamper Your Dog

There is a lot you can do to make your dog happier even when suffering with canine arthritis. First, if you have any children in your home, that they should be considerate of your god's pain and discomfort. Ask them to allow your dog to rest undisturbed. Second, provide a soft bed for your dog. A soft bed will allow your dog to rest more peacefully while recovering from arthritis. Third, learn how to gently massage your dog. Contact a licensed therapist to learn the proper way to massage the place on your dog that is the most tender. A good massage can increase the blood circulation while letting your dog know that you love it and will care for it.

Canine arthritis is a common ailment in older dogs. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your dog. But, there are things you can do at home that will help your dog manage its daily activities and recover from the arthritis.

Make certain that your dog is not overweight as the extra weight applies excess pressure on its joints. Speak to a veteranarian about using medications to ease any pain your dog may be feeling. Finally, try to make your dog as comfortable as possible at home while it recovers from the arthritis. With a little effort and a lot of love, you can help your dog overcome this disease.