Canine Arthritis And Overweight Dogs

Unfortunately, almost all canines will develop
arthritis to some extent as they age. Just as
with humans, osteoarthritis in dogs is a disease
that attacks the joints of the animal. To be
specific, their arthritis causes a thinning of
the cartilage tissues that the body uses to
protect the movable parts within the joint. As
this tissue thins, the moving bones are allowed
to touch and this causes great pain to the
person or animal afflicted with the disease,
since the living bone tissue contains countless
thousands of nerve endings.

Although there is no cure for arthritis in
either humans or canines, there are things to
consider that can in fact decrease the symptoms
and suffering associated with the disease.
Besides providing glucosamine, one of these
factors has to do with the size of the animal.
It's a fact that large breed dogs usually suffer
from the disease more than small breed dogs. This
is because larger dogs have more weight and so
their joints suffer more stress due to the
increased burden.

Likewise, overweight dogs will suffer from the
joint disease more so than those who are at
their correct weight, or are even perhaps
thinner. Although there is nothing that can be
done to decrease the normal weight of large
breed dogs, pet owners must ensure that no
matter what the size of the dog is, that the
animal is not carrying any extra weight.

Also, just as with humans, older dogs tend to
gain weight. This is an unfortunate fact because
it is in their older years that arthritis usually
sets in. With the onset of arthritis and the
common increase in body weight, the dog has an
increased chance of suffering more.

As dogs age, their metabolism usually decreases
along with their exercise level. If pet owners
continue to feed the animal the same amount of
food as when they were young, which many pet
owners are in the habit of doing, it is not
uncommon for the animal to gain significant
weight in their later years.

Dog owners must be aware of this increasing
weight and take measures to ensure the animal
maintains the correct weight. Weighing their
animal on a regular basis ensures the pet owner
stays on top of this issue and doesn't let the
weight get out of control. Increasing weight in
a canine is simply a matter of either too many
calories ingested and/or not enough exercise.
Usually, it is advised to decrease the amount of
food the older dog ingests daily in order to
maintain the correct body weight.

It may be difficult for pet owners to do this
because the dog with arthritis will still act
hungry after the decrease in his or her daily
allotment. It's simply a matter of knowing what
is best for the animal and that this step must
be taken in order to ensure the quality of life
for the animal. If decreasing the calorie intake
over a significant amount of time has not
decreased the dogs weight, it is important to
consult a veterinarian about this fact. There
could be other issues, such as thyroid problems,
that are preventing the dog from losing weight.

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We have more information on our website pet
owners can use to help their dogs deal with
osteoarthritis joint disease. We offer liquid
glucosamine, which is a safe and all-natural
supplement product for treating joint disease in
dogs. http://www.cactuscanyon.com

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