Dealing With Canine Arthritis: Natural Home Treatments and Remedies

Owning a dog can often require much more than simply feeding and playing with one. There are numerous conditions your beloved pets can have, and canine arthritis is not an exception. This condition can severely impact the health of your dog so making sure you can identify the symptoms in time is crucial.

Just as important of course if treating your dog’s arthritis. There are several different treatment options available to dog owners, as well as plenty of natural remedies and other medication. Personally I always prefer natural treatments, be it for my own conditions of my pet’s, so this site will focus mostly on providing you information on homemade treatments that won’t have any side effects. These homemade remedies are usually easy to make and have been known to work just as well as any pharmaceutical medicines.

What exactly is canine arthritis?

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects one or multiple joints in a dog. Most cases occur in dogs with an inherited orthopedic disease such as osteochondrosis or hip dysplasia, or those with a joint injury. It is characterized by the deterioration of connective tissue in its joints. Often these are specific to a particular breed of dog which is more susceptible to these issues for a variety of reasons. Some cases of arthritis are related to an immune-mediated joint disease or a joint infection. While larger breeds are more vulnerable, arthritis can occur in dogs of any size, and 20% of dogs experience it.

Two Dalmatians playing wallpaperThe main culprit behind canine arthritis is simply age and it is often unavoidable. There are layers of lubricated tissue in joints between bones that keep them from rubbing against one another. Over time, this tissue and the ligaments begin to stretch, allowing the bones that form the joint to oscillate slightly as they move. This in turn bruises and breaks down the joint’s surfaces causing inflammation. And as these surfaces continue to move, the inflammation causes new bone to be created where it should not be, causing pain.

Dogs with degenerative arthritis many different kinds of pain, stiffness, and joint immobility. These often appear more readily noticeable immediately after the dog has woken up. Additionally afflicted dogs often show signs of behavior changes and bad tempers associated with the pain they are experiencing. Cold and moist environments can aggravate the symptoms in dogs suffering from arthritis.

X rays are the most effective means of diagnosing canine arthritis. These will often show bone spurs and/or narrowing of the spaces in between joints.

Unfortunately, once it has begun, there is no known cure for this affliction in dogs. However, once it is diagnosed, various treatments can substantially improve the canine’s overall quality of life. Treatment involves physical therapy and weight control, the use of topical analgesics and corticosteroids to provide relief for the pain. Acupuncture is another therapy that has shown noticeably positive results for arthritic dogs in some cases. Additionally, the use of chondroprotective agents to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage has shown to be effective. If possible, multiple or all of these methods should be used in unison.

Arthritic dogs should definitely be trained to avoid jumping repeatedly or to do any sort of activity that involves standing on their hind legs (like begging) as these activities create extra stress on the joints. Dogs with pain and lameness should be exercised on a leash or a harness. The purpose of the harness is to prevent aggressive movements and to make sure that the pressure from the leash is more evenly distributed. Another extremely advisable plan of action is to make sure that an overweight or obese dog loses weight. The additional weight causes undue stress on the joints which can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis.

It is advisable to consult a veterinary professional. Often they can advice the best treatment plan and often can advise an exercise regiment that is beneficial to the dog. In very rare cases, the veterinarian may even advise a type of surgery that can have success in alleviating pain in the dog. Regardless, it is advisable to consult a vet before embarking on any plan of action.

How to treat canine arthritis

One in five dogs will suffer from some form of arthritis, a degenerative disease which affects the connective tissue in their joints. Unfortunately, once it has begun, there is currently no cure for canine arthritis. However, once it is diagnosed, various treatments can substantially improve the canine’s overall quality of life. Most of these treatments are centered around managing symptoms by avoiding things that can make the arthritis worse.

Yorkie head wallpaperA major issue to avoid is weight problems in the dog. The arthritis tends to make the dog lethargic and reluctant to exercise, as extra movement triggers pain. This often results in the dog gaining an unhealthy amount of weight. Unfortunately, the additional weight causes undue stress on the joints which can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis (not to mention other health problems related to obesity such as diabetes or heart disease). Although it may be difficult to get the dog to exercise, it is a measure that must be taken. Additionally, food intake and frequency must be carefully monitored.

In addition to controlling weight, other treatments for canine arthritis involve physical therapy and medications for pain management. The use of topical analgesics and corticosteroids to provide relief for the pain has proven effective in many cases. Acupuncture is another therapy that has shown noticeably positive results for arthritic dogs in some cases. Additionally, the use of chondroprotective agents to repair joint cartilage and prevent further damage has yielded noticeable results. Many of these methods can be used simultaneously for even greater results.

Monitored and moderate exercise has proven affective since it maintains muscle mass and aids in joint flexibility. Too much exercise, however, can do damage by hastening the destruction of connective tissue. Arthritic dogs should definitely be trained to avoid jumping repeatedly. Also, thought ought to avoid any sort of activity that involves standing on their hind legs (like begging) as these activities create extra stress on the joints. Dogs with pain and lameness should be exercised on a leash or a harness. The purpose of the harness is to prevent aggressive movements and to make sure that the pressure from the leash is more evenly distributed. Running, particularly on pavement with a human partner should be avoided at any cost. Another low-impact exercise that can provide both great exercise while avoiding high pressure injuries is swimming. Exercise can be achieved while enjoying the benefits of weightlessness in the water.

Some surgeries can be recommended by a vet in specific circumstances. One such surgery fuses joints together in order to avoid the sort of contact that causes pain. While this limits range of motion and flexibility, avoiding the pain can be a very worthwhile tradeoff. In any circumstance, it is advisable to consult a professional to prescribe a treatment for the dog. A veterinarian can tailor an exercise and medication regimen best suited to the needs of the particular dog. While no cure exists yet, the good news is that many dogs with canine arthritis live long and happy lives.

Homemade treatments for dog arthritis

Canine arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects a wide variety of breeds and affects 20% of dogs in their lifetime. The root cause of arthritis is simply age. Lubricated layers of tissue prevent joints from rubbing against one another. This tissue must be constantly replenished and replaced. However, with age it begins to break down and cannot be replenished as quickly.

Golden Retriever on beach wallpaper (2)Dogs with degenerative arthritis many different kinds of pain, stiffness, and joint immobility. These often appear more readily noticeable immediately after the dog has woken up. Additionally afflicted dogs often show signs of behavior changes and bad tempers associated with the pain they are experiencing. Cold and moist environments can aggravate the symptoms in dogs suffering from arthritis.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for canine arthritis. However, by managing the dog’s lifestyle, the symptoms can be ameliorated, progress can be slowed, and the quality of the dog’s life can be generally improved. The first and most important is its diet. Any extra weight on a dog is going to create added pressure on its joints and should be avoided as much as possible. There are many dog foods marketed towards senior dogs, and they should carry fewer calories and higher fiber. Also check to see if the foods contain glucosamine or Omega-3 fatty acids, as these have sometimes been shown to have good effects for dogs suffering from canine arthritis. Mixing in some vegetables such as cabbage, peas, and carrots with your dog’s food can also be very effective in achieving this.

Moderate exercise has been shown to be beneficial as it maintains muscle mass and assists in joint flexibility. Too much exercise, however, should be avoided as it can hasten the degeneration of connective tissue. Arthritic dogs should definitely be trained to avoid jumping repeatedly or to do any sort of activity that involves standing on their hind legs (like begging) as these activities create extra stress on the joints. Dogs with pain and lameness should be exercised on a leash or a harness. The purpose of the harness is to prevent aggressive movements and to make sure that the pressure from the leash is more evenly distributed. Another extremely advisable plan of action is to make sure that an overweight or obese dog loses weight. The additional weight causes undue stress on the joints which can aggravate the symptoms of arthritis.

Other steps can be taken to protect your dog from further deterioration of its joints. Making sure that its stride is normal can be one of these. Make sure that its nails are clipped to their proper length to ensure that they stride normally. Also padded carpets in the house can greatly decrease the impact felt by the dog’s joints around the house. Additionally, a comfortable and warm bed for the dog can go a long way in making sure that its joints are well protected as it rests (which older dogs must do more and more as they age). Given the proper conditions, a dog with canine arthritis can live many happy and comfortable years.