Arthritis. An ailment that is very common among dogs and can make them suffer, especially if not treated properly. Arthritic dogs usually show signs like pain and stiffness but you may also notice a decrease in appetite and weight loss as well if your dog isn’t feeling well enough to eat or he doesn’t want to eat much because of the pain.
In this article, we will mention the top 6 ways you can treat your arthritic dog so he feels better and less painful.
Healthy Diet
What you feed your dog is very important for him to remain healthy or if he has some ailments it gets more important as a diet with the proper nutrients will boost his immune system and help him fight a lot of ailments including arthritis. There are 3 nutrients that your dog should have to reduce inflammation, which is one of the main causes of arthritis. These nutrients are Omega-3 fatty acids, Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish oils or flaxseed oil, these help reduce inflammation.
Glucosamine is a nutrient that the body uses to produce glycosaminoglycans(GAG) which are necessary for typical joint functions and the protection of cartilage. So this means it helps with typical joint issues like arthritis. You can find glucosamine in meats and fish.
Chondroitin is another nutrient that helps create GAGs and reduce the stiffness and pain caused by arthritis. You can find chondroitin in meats such as chicken, turkey, and pork.
Massage
You can use a lotion to massage your dog’s joints that contain CBD oil, MSM or other natural pain-relieving oils. You can find a number of these products online and they will help reduce the inflammation and swelling caused by arthritis.
Cold therapy
Ice packs should be applied for about 15 minutes every 3 hours which will reduce pain and inflammation. You can use a wet towel or a bag of peas for this as well. Warm up the ice pack before putting on the affected joint and cold therapy should be applied 2-3 times per day.
Physical Exercises
Instead of regular exercise, keep it slow and easy so your dog won’t overdo and cause more damage to his joints. Swimming is also a great exercise for dogs with arthritis.
Massage his joints with some natural non-scented oils like almond oil, coconut oil or olive oil. These will help reduce pain and stiffness while improving your dog’s overall mobility.
Warm therapy
You should use warm compresses instead of the ice packs which you should apply for about 20 minutes every 3 hours. You can find heating pads in pet stores that are specifically made to help arthritic dogs. The warmth will provide temporary relief from pain while reducing the soreness caused by arthritis.
Supplements
Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are very efficient in treating arthritis. You can find these supplements online or at any pet store. However, make sure to only buy supplements from trusted brands as not all of them work effectively. Ask your vet for some advice on which one is best for your dog.
Bring them CBD Oil
CBD oil is a natural pain reliever with no side effects. You can find CBD oil at trusted brands like cbdMD, they provide products for both humans and animals. They have the best CBD oils on the market that are 100% natural, non-GMO and safe for pets.
CBD oil for dogs not only helps with arthritis, as it is an anti-inflammatory as well but you should always ask your vet for advice before giving CBD oil to your dog.
Your vet will be able to tell you how much CBD oil you should give your dog and when is the best time to give it for optimal results.
Conclusion
Although there is no cure for arthritis, the above-mentioned methods will give your dog some relief and make him happier. Just remember to always be calm with them so they know everything is going to be alright. Dogs rely on their owners’ emotions so stay positive around your dog when he’s in pain.