How To Help Your Arthritic Dog

Regrettably arthritis is a disease that doesn't
just affect the human race. Sadly it is a very
common medical condition in both humans and
animals. Arthritis is an inflammation in a
joint, and it can affect any part of your dog's
body. The main effects are pain, problems in
mobility, and swelling of the joints. The wear
and tear of every day use of the joints is a big
reason. Other reasons can be obesity, joint
infections, dislocation, immune system illness,
muscle, ligament or tendon injury.

The most common types of dog that suffer from
arthritis are Retrievers, German Shepherds and
Labradors as arthritis is also an inherited
disease. Each joint has two or more bones near
each other. At the end of these bones is
articular cartilage this gives a smooth area for
the bones to rub against each other. A thick
fluid in the joint acts as a lubricant and shock
absorber and this then assists in protecting the
bones from any kind of grinding action. As the
arthritis worsens, the cartilage will become
coarse and worn, and the joint fluid will start
to thin and become watery. Movement becomes
uncomfortable as there is less lubrication and
smoothness in the joint, as the cartilage
continues to wear away, bone will eventually rub
on bone.

So how can you give your dog the best possible
chance of bypassing arthritis later in life?
Firstly controlling the weight is vitally
important. We all love to treat our pets but
their physical health should come before
anything else. Obesity puts huge pressure on
your dogs joints and limbs. Losing a bit of
extra fat will provide immediate relief. The
extra weight will quickly start disintegration
in the cartilage. There are cases of overweight
dogs developing arthritis as young as 5 years
old, so looking after them now is a good idea.
Keeping them weight free allows them a stronger
chance in their elder years to avert arthritis.

Keep your dog active. The arrival of arthritis
in your dog can be delayed with plenty of
exercise. A walk around the streets isn't really
enough. A run in the local park will keep their
weight down and help their joints to stay
limber. The natural fluid in the body will help
to lubricate the joints and limbs. However, if
your dog already has arthritis then little and
often will be more beneficial for them. When
walking if your dog stops to rest don't push
them to carry on. Two walks a day, no longer
than fifteen minutes each should help. Keep your
dog on basic routes such as flat, smooth paths,
no hills. Humans find swimming helps arthritic
joints and so do dogs. Also they usually enjoy
it.

Obviously once arthritis has begun you can't do
anything to stop it. All you can do is help
prevent it from developing too quickly. You can
make your dogs life easier by giving them
bedding with an orthopaedic foam base. Most pet
shops and pet sites have a good selection to
choose from. Brush their coat where they may
have difficulty in reaching. It's a good idea to
keep their bowls at a slightly higher level than
before so they don't have to stress themselves
when feeding. A healthy diet will also give the
nutrients that your dog needs. There are many
types of pet food that now provide the right
nutrients for senior dogs.

As for medications and herbal supplements to
help your dog cope with arthritis, it is always
best to check with your vet.

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Alex Kelly

As a pet and website owner, my articles are
based on issues I feel are important for fellow
animal lovers.
Pet Promenade has everything you will need for
the furry member of the family. From pet food,
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