How to Help a Dog with Arthritis at Home: Arthritis in dogs is not a pleasant condition to have, and there are a few ways to help your dog cope with the symptoms. These ways include exercise, NSAIDs, and weight management. These remedies will help you provide the best care for your pet and also help you control the costs associated with vet care.
How to Help a Dog with Arthritis at Home
Exercise
Exercise for dogs with arthritis can help relieve stiffness, increase muscle strength, and maintain joint mobility. However, dogs with arthritis should only exercise if it is safe for their condition. Ideally, exercise for dogs with arthritis should be regular, low-impact, and controlled. A good exercise plan for a dog with arthritis should include a walk most days of the week.
The first thing to do is to warm up your pet’s joints and muscles. You may want to use a harness so as not to strain their necks and forelimbs. Another good exercise for dogs with arthritis is swimming. Swimming helps keep joints moving and can help them lose weight. Try finding a hydrotherapy center in your area.
A dog with arthritis should be walked at least three times a day. This will help build and maintain muscle strength and stimulate the lymphatic system and circulatory systems. Walking also helps increase the dog’s energy levels and interest in activities. For best results, begin with short walks, and gradually increase duration and activity level.
Keeping the dog warm will help ease the pain and inflammation in arthritic joints. It is also important to provide your dog with a warm place to rest. There are even heated dog beds available to make your pet more comfortable. It is also important to keep your dog’s weight in check. Exercising a dog with arthritis will be easier if it is at a healthy weight.
Weight Management
If your dog has arthritis, you should pay special attention to his weight. The extra weight can affect his mobility and quality of life. Being overweight can contribute to the inflammation that causes arthritis, which can worsen the condition. Talk to your vet about a diet and weight-loss plan for your pet. In addition to dietary changes, your veterinarian may also recommend a product like Diamond CARE Weight Management Formula for Adult Dogs.
In addition to a healthy diet, your dog needs regular exercise to stay in good physical shape. Weight loss will slow the damage to joints and improve blood flow to the affected area. You should also avoid letting your dog spend most of his time sitting on the couch. Instead, get up every 20 minutes and play with your dog. A combination of regular exercise and diet will help your dog lose weight.
Your veterinarian may prescribe a supplement to reduce the pain associated with arthritis. These supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids found in high-quality fish oils. If your dog is overweight, you should talk to your veterinarian about ways to lose weight to improve mobility.
Proper nutritional management can also reduce inflammatory mediators, support cartilage health, and reduce the number of oxygen-derived free radicals. Diets rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and antioxidants may help improve the therapeutic management of canine OA.
Natural Remedies
Natural remedies for dog arthritis can provide relief from the pain and swelling associated with the disease. Using warm packs on affected joints improves blood circulation to the area. This increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the joint and promotes cellular recovery. A cold compress, on the other hand, eases pain and muscle spasms caused by arthritis. Both types of compress should be applied alternately to reduce swelling and pain.
While it is not always possible to stop the symptoms of arthritis completely, your dog can still enjoy a comfortable life. A dog that is suffering from arthritis can undergo a long recovery process. Depending on the extent of the disease, surgery may be required to stop the inflammation or to relieve the pain. Your veterinarian will discuss your options with you. Before you consider surgical options, you must treat the primary cause of the disease.
Dogs with arthritis should be given regular exercise. Short walks help to get the blood pumping and stretch muscles. Indoor play is easier on joints than outdoor activity and does not require running or jumping. Instead, roll a ball across the floor or play tug of war for short periods of time. Dogs that are older also begin to lose important minerals and vitamins, which can contribute to the development of arthritis.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first line of defense against pain caused by arthritis. These drugs reduce the production of prostaglandin molecules, which are responsible for pain. They also prevent cartilage degeneration, bone remodeling, and the expression of inflammatory mediators in the joints. However, they are not without side effects and should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Long-term use of NSAIDs can lead to anemia, which is caused by loss of blood in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, veterinarians often prescribe nutritional supplements along with NSAIDs for dogs with arthritis. These supplements are safe and effective in combination with NSAIDs. Although the use of NSAIDs must be carefully monitored, dogs usually return to their normal life after a short course of treatment.
Although NSAIDs are effective in controlling pain, they are not effective in controlling chronic pain in dogs. They should only be given for 2 to 3 weeks. They should not be given to dogs with osteoarthritis. Besides, they also have side effects that make them unsuitable for chronic pain management.
Supplements
Supplements for dogs with arthritis can help manage the symptoms of the disease and speed up the healing process. They can also help with the side effects of prescription medication. Many human medications for arthritis can contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs. Corticosteroids, for example, are anti-inflammatories that can have significant side effects. They are usually prescribed only when other treatments fail.
There are several types of joint supplements for dogs, each with different benefits. Chondroitin sulfate is one of the most commonly used. It helps the cartilage retain water and elasticity and reduces the amount of inflammation. The compound also helps with the recovery process from joint surgery.
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Ask Ariel’s Arthritis & Joint Support Kit contains three different supplements, each containing natural ingredients that help with the symptoms of the disease. The chicken-flavored version contains chicken flavoring to help your dog feel better and can also help with stiffness and pain. This supplement is made in the US and is free of harmful additives. It contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and Yucca Schidigera. It is the number one veterinarian-recommended supplement for dogs with arthritis.