Your Dog Has Arthritis, Now What?

By Jennifer P. April

If your dog is having trouble getting up and down the steps and seems stiff when he gets up from naps he may have arthritis. Aging dogs are just as susceptible as humans are to the pain of arthritis and the arthritis treatment for dogs available are many. This article will illustrate some of the arthritis treatment for dogs available.

First, make sure your pet is a healthy weight. If Max is overweight the strain on the joints will be greater. Since it doesn't take many pounds (3 lbs. on your average size dog is like 10 on us) you'll want to make sure he's at the optimum weight. If not, dieting is in order.

Arthritis is caused by a loss of the cartilage surrounding the joints. As the cartilage wears away, the bones scrape against each other causing pain. By helping Fido rebuild some of the lost cartilage you can help ease the pain.

Glucosomine chrondrotin supplements and fish oil will help rebuild this lost cartilage. They are both rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and the fish oil has the added benefit of helping the nervous system and contributing to a healthy skin and coat. You can get salmon oil to squirt on your pet's food or just feed her the same supplement you take yourself. You can also share your glucosomine supplements. It will take six weeks or so before you may see any results.

If you want to strengthen your bond while alleviating Lucy's pain, you can do a little doggie massage on the stiff joints. Just a few minutes a day can help.

If your pet is in extreme pain, there's medicine you can get from your vet. A common prescription is Duramaxx and there are others. Severe cases could require surgery.

Physical activity like swimming might help your dog too. I've heard from many people who've seen significant improvement in their pets who were able to participate in a regular swimming practice. Swimming takes the pressure off the joints but allows them to be exercised. Slow walks can also help.

What your pet eats can contribute to arthritis.

Some readers have told me that changing from a grain based kibble to a raw diet of meat and vegetables has caused their pet's arthritis to clear up in a matter of weeks. Even if it had been a constant source of pain for years. You may have to visit a specialty pet store to find a food without any corn or wheat in it but there are many good ones available.

There are many ways you can help your pet suffer less from the pain of arthritis, now it's up to you to take the next steps.

Learn more about taking care of your dog at all-natural-dog-treat.com where Jen P. April shares dog treat recipes and tips for living a fuller life with your pet. You can learn more about arthritis treatment for dogs.