What helps dogs with arthritis in their legs?
You may know that arthritis in dogs is common in senior pups, but did you know that young(er) dogs are also often diagnosed with inflammation of the joints?
That's usually the case after they've experienced trauma to a joint. For example, while running or jumping.
While prevention is key, we'll mention 4 specific ways that help dogs with arthritis in their legs, and we'll also cover the following:
- Dog arthritis symptoms
- Should you walk a dog with arthritis?
What Helps Dogs with Arthritis in Their Legs?
Before we talk about the 4 specific ways that help dogs with arthritis, let's first take a look at the symptoms of canine arthritis.
That way, you'll know what to look out for if you suspect that your pup suffers from canine arthritis:
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Swollen joints
- Sleeping more
- Loss of traction on "slippery surfaces"
- Hard time getting up, lying down and walking stairs
Tip: Put down rugs in your home to help your dog maneuver slippery surfaces such as tile and hardwood floors.
Weight Control
The reason for this is straight forward: the less weight your dog carries around, the less stress they put on their (hurting) joints.
To avoid overfeeding your best pal, consider portioning out their meals using a measuring cup or a scale if you make your own meals at home.
Also avoid free-feeding your pup because it's tempting to simply refill an empty bowl, right? While your dog may enjoy the constant flow of food, you're not doing them a favor in the long run. Some tough love is beneficial here!
Tip: If you're unsure of your dog's target/ideal body weight or daily food allowance, check in with your vet. They'll be happy to help you figure it out.
Gentle Exercise
You may know that regular exercise is great to keep your dog's body in motion and from getting stiff, but should you walk a dog with arthritis?
The answer is yes, but gently!
Gentle exercise is very important and includes:
- Slow daily walks
- Regular swimming if possible
- No jumping (on furniture, into the car etc)
Tip: Keep your pup safe when you take them swimming by keeping them on a long lead. That way, you can easily reel them back in as needed.
Joint Supplements
Here at The Healthy Dog Co, we carry two products to help dog arthritis.
Both are dog joint supplements that help reduce inflammation of the joints in order to maintain good mobility and reduce stiffness in your pup (and cat!).
- Joint Genie Drops
- Happy Joint Powder
Joint Genie Drops
Ingredients:
- Liquorice
- Devils Claw
- Turmeric
- Cayenne
- Ginger Root
- Rosehip
- Sage
Liquorice
Herb with anti-inflammatory properties.
Devils Claw
Herb with anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric
Spice with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Cayenne
Helps the body absorb and activate the curcumin in turmeric at much higher levels.
Ginger Root
Plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Rosehip
Fruit with anti-inflammatory properties.
Sage
Herb with antioxidant properties.
Administer directly into your dog's mouth or mix in with their food:
- Medium/large dogs over 10kgs : 1 ml (= 1 full pipette) twice per day
- Small dogs/cats under 10kgs: 1 ml (= 1 full pipette) once per day
Happy Joint Powder
Ingredients:
- New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel
- Turmeric
- Cayenne
- Ginger
- Celery
- Flaxseed
New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel
A powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant which helps restore joint and muscle damage. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and duran fatty acids which inhibit the production of immune chemicals that cause inflammation.
Turmeric (Curcumin)
Spice with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that helps fight arthritis and heart disease.
Cayenne
Helps the body absorb and activate the curcumin in turmeric at much higher levels.
Ginger
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
Celery
Rich in vitamins C & K. Instrumental in the body's production of collagen, immune system, bone metabolism and blood calcium levels.
Flaxseed
Includes lignans, antioxidants, fibre, protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-3.
Administer directly into your dog's mouth or mix in with their food (includes free scoop)!
For the first 4-6 weeks:
- Medium/large dogs over 12kgs : 5ml (= 1 full scoop) twice per day
- Small dogs/cats under 12kgs: 0.5 ml (= 1/2 scoop) twice per day
After the first 4-6 weeks:
- Medium/large dogs over 12kgs : 5ml (= 1 full scoop) once per day
- Small dogs/cats under 12kgs: 0.5 ml (= 1/2 scoop) once per day
Prescription Medication & Dog Acupuncture
Both approaches can offer your pet immediate help by alleviating pain, but you need to consult with your vet first.
Prescription Medication
The medication your vet will prescribe depends on your dog's pain score and overall medical condition.
Dog Acupuncture
Another option is to relieve canine arthritis pain and improve range of motion with acupuncture. That's a Chinese needling technique that's gained a lot of traction in the Western medical world.
How it works: Sterile needles are introduced into specific acupuncture/trigger points in your dog's muscles.
Treatment duration: Ideally once or twice a week for 4-6 weeks. There's typically an initial, 60 minute session as well as shorter follow up sessions that run between 15-30 minutes.
Treatment cost: Pricing varies greatly depending on your geographical location (urban vs rural) and your dog's condition, so it's hard to pin point an average cost, but you should expect at least an £80 price tag.
Canine acupuncture near you: Your vet may be able to point you to a canine acupuncture specialist, or you can search the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society database.
Another alternative is to google "holistic veterinary care near me".
What Helps Dogs with Arthritis in Their Legs: Bottom Line
Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is fairly common both in young and senior dogs, but thankfully there are several ways to help relieve the pain that's associated with inflamed joints in dogs:
- Pain medication
- Acupuncture
- Joint supplements
Most importantly, it's vital to keep your dog at a healthy weight! Remember, any excess weight puts additional strain on your dog's hurting joints.
Gentle exercise such as slow walks and swimming contribute to a healthy weight, as does portion control at meal time.
The Healthy Dog Co Resources
- All Natural Joint Genie (drops)
- All Natural Happy Joint (powder)
Related Reading
About The Healthy Dog Co
The Healthy Dog Co’s mission is to create products that dog and cat owners can trust with the health of their pets by only producing products with healthy, safe, all natural ingredients.
At The Healthy Dog Co, it’s all about giving your pet a healthy and happy life with All Natural Health, Happiness and Care Products.
Because Your Pet Deserves Better!
Shop our range of All Natural Healthcare Products for your Dog or Cat today!
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