While dog arthritis is more common in older canines, any pooch can develop this painful condition. Malformed joints, poor genetics, or cartilage injuries can all affect your canine’s comfort.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for it, but identifying arthritis in dogs early and managing its symptoms can improve your pet’s quality of life.
Using a natural pain relief remedy as part of your treatment plan does more than aid the battle against inflammation. Embracing some healthy changes slows the development of the condition and enhances your pooch’s overall wellness.
Prescribed medications are an option, but natural approaches offer a more long-term solution. Your goal should be to ensure your dog’s well-being and slow the progression of the disease.
Are you ready to learn holistic ways to put the spring back into your pup’s steps? Let’s explore this disease process more and look at the five paw-sitively natural treatments that could help your best friend stay comfortable.
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1. Physical Therapy
Therapeutic exercises can maintain your pooch’s mobility, manage their pain, and fight further degeneration. The sooner you start physical therapy sessions for your arthritic pal, the more effective they are.
While almost all dogs with joint pain can benefit from these exercises, not all treatments are the same. Techniques are based on the action of water, movement, temperature, and light.
The correct type of therapy depends on the location and type of canine arthritis. Here’s a breakdown of your options:
| Treatment | Based On | How It's Applied | Benefits |
| Massage | Pressure | Use slow, gentle strokes and kneading to stimulate muscles in the shoulders and legs. | Increases blood circulation and tissue drainage and improves muscle tone. |
| Hydrotherapy | Water | The dog walks on a submerged treadmill or swims. | Supports your pet’s weight to reduce joint stress. Improves muscle quality and cardiac fitness. |
| Cryotherapy | Cold | Place ice packs on affected areas for 5–7 minutes. | Manages pain and inflammation. |
| Thermotherapy | Heat | Place a heating pad over the painful joint for 15–20 minutes. | Improves flexibility and prepares the canine for exercise. |
| Kinesitherapy | Movement | A qualified practitioner gently manipulates your dog’s joints through passive stretching. | Reduces discomfort, improves flexibility, and promotes blood flow. |
| Ultrasonography | Sound Waves | The clinician applies the probe over the affected joint for 10–20 minutes. | Decreases swelling and speeds up healing. |
You can perform some of these therapies under your veterinarian’s guidance, but more complicated treatments require a specialist. Always ensure any techniques are painless and atraumatic.
2. Practice Weight Management
Canines with arthritis move less, which often leads to them being overweight. Obesity aggravates the condition by placing extra tension on already-damaged joints and speeding up cartilage breakdown.
Carrying excess weight also predisposes healthy dogs to develop this disease earlier in their lives.
If your pooch isn’t at a healthy mass, your best bet for slowing the progression of arthritis is to start her on an eating plan.
Ensure you give your friend food that meets her nutritional requirements. Veterinarians often sell prescription brands that manage weight and contain anti-inflammatories that provide joint support.
3. Keep Your Canine Moving
Your dog’s arthritis pain may make her reluctant to move, but moderate exercises significantly reduce joint degeneration. Lighter activities keep your canine’s joints healthy and free from stiffness and are also excellent for weight management.
Implement exercise in moderation. Begin with 10–15 minute walks three or four times per day and avoid high-impact activities like running and jumping to prevent stress and pain. Also, keep things consistent—don’t go for short strolls during the week and long walks over the weekend.
Keep in mind that adrenaline often masks a canine’s discomfort. While your pet may be excitedly running around with other dogs, she’ll often struggle with pain the next day. Avoid these scenarios and limit how much your pal exercises.
It’s also crucial to consider the terrain you ask your pooch to walk on. Sand, gravel, or rocks exacerbate unstable gaits and are challenging to navigate if your dog is trying to protect affected joints. Steep hills also place pressure on painful areas.
The ideal turf for walking arthritic canines is flat, smooth, and even ground, like a grassy field or sidewalk.
4. Treat Pain With CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive component of the marijuana plant. It’s known for its soothing, therapeutic effects, including pain and inflammation management. While CBD dog bones won’t cure the disease, they relieve symptoms without side effects.
The compound interacts with your dog’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), stabilizing bodily functions like sleep, appetite, mood, and memory. The activation reportedly promotes the beneficial processes of the ECS and provides several health benefits.
Incorporating CBD treats for dogs into your pet’s treatment plan may provide powerful anti-inflammatory effects and prevent nerve damage caused by swelling. The cannabinoid could also improve an aging canine’s mobility.
Give your best friend one milligram of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight daily. Split the dose into morning and evening measures to provide your pooch with the best possible benefits.
CBD for dogs is perfectly legal, doesn’t get them high, and is non-addictive. To be on the safe side, consult your vet before giving your canine the cannabinoid if she’s on any prescription medications.
5. Supplement Your Pal’s Diet
Joint supplements can encourage healthy cartilage and increase joint health through ingredients like chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
They’re most often used as an early intervention and throughout the course of the disease, thanks to them being safe for long-term use.
Glucosamine is the most commonly recommended option for osteoarthritis. The sulfate lowers inflammation, promotes healing, and increases water retention in the connective tissues to provide more cushioning for the joint.
Other natural supplement options include:
- Green-lipped mussels (GLM): This shellfish is another valuable ingredient that relieves discomfort and preserves joint function in both humans and dogs. GLM is also a natural source of glucosamine.
- Turmeric: Curcumin, the key component of turmeric, boasts a long list of health benefits. Studies claim the spice can reduce pain and stiffness while decreasing inflammation.
- Comfrey: This shrubby plant eases discomfort and has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s available as a dried herb in most food stores.
- Yucca: The succulent contains compounds that help canines with sore joints, is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, and contains calcium and potassium. These nutrients aid the passage of food to the digestive tract.
Remember to discuss any supplements with your vet before adding them to your dog’s diet.
Soothe Your Dog’s Arthritic Pain the Natural Way
Canine arthritis isn’t curable, but that doesn’t mean your furry pal can’t live a long and happy life. Incorporate various natural therapies into your treatment plan to manage discomfort and reduce inflammation.
Keep your dog active to prevent her muscles and joints from getting stiff, and incorporate supplements into her diet to improve mobility. Add in regular checkups with your vet, and you’re sure to be friends fur-ever.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Dogs
What Is Canine Arthritis?
According to the American Kennel Club, arthritis is the progressive inflammation of the joints caused by the deterioration of cartilage. As this connective tissue becomes thinner, the bones in the joint rub together.
The painful friction damages the cartilage even more, resulting in new bone forming around the area. This makes the affected joints stiff and decreases mobility.
What Causes Joint Disease in Dogs?
Veterinarians usually diagnose degenerative arthritis in older canines, but the disease can develop from a young age. It may affect several of your pal’s joints simultaneously.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of a dog developing the degenerative joint disease:
- Age: Older pooches are prone to the condition as their cartilage weakens and wears out.
- Size and weight: Overweight canines and giant breeds experience more pressure and stress on their joints, speeding up deterioration.
- Genetics: Certain breeds are more susceptible to arthritis thanks to their body structure and growth patterns.
- Trauma: Fractures or ruptured ligaments increase a dog’s chance of joint damage.
What Are the Signs Your Canine May Have Arthritis?
There are signs to look out for if you suspect your furry companion might have arthritis. Symptoms of the disorder include:
- Stiffness, especially after sleeping
- Reluctance to exercise
- Sudden weight gain
- Behavioral changes such as irritability or grumpiness
- Lethargy
- Licking at a joint
Consult your vet to confirm the diagnosis. They may suggest further tests like x-rays to locate the arthritic change and identify any underlying causes.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All Dad Grass Dog Bones contain less than the legal limit of 0.3% THC.
There are very few known interactions with CBD and prescription medications. However, if your pet is on medications, it is always best to consult with a holistic vet prior to starting CBD.
And while you totally can get away with munchin' on our top quality Dog Bones, we recommend heading over to dadgrass.com and checking out our human treats like our Dog Grass Dad Hat or our CBD joints, flower and tinctures.
References:
https://norml.org/marijuana/library/recent-medical-marijuana-research/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/osteoarthritis-signs-treatment/