What To Give My Dog For Arthritis Pain

What Can I Give My Dog For Arthritis And Joint Pain

Nothing can replace professional advice from your veterinarian when it comes to managing your dogs arthritis pain. However, the treatment of arthritis like acupuncture or massages are usually given at your vets office, so you may be looking for alternative ways to treat dog arthritis at home.

Heres what you can give your dog to increase their comfort and bring that broad smile back on their face once again.

What Is Canine Arthritis

In simple terms, canine arthritis is the inflammation of the joints that can cause pain, discomfort, and hardness.

Just like with us, humans, joints have the same functions in canines. Joints serve as the meeting points of bones and also serve as hinges that allow movement. Bones contain blood vessels and nerves and are made entirely of hard minerals.

Bone surfaces are highly sensitive and they are covered by a substance called cartilage, and connect with another bone. The human body contains several types of joints that mostly involve cartilage.

Cartilage is an insulator that helps protect bones from being struck as their surfaces rub each other. It is a living material that is composed of cells whose function is to provide lubrication and cushioning to joints.

For different reasons, over time, cartilage can become damaged, which can lead to inflammation and painful bone-on-bone contact that happens with every movement.

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Dog Arthritis: What Can I Give My Dog For Pain

For most dogs, arthritis is inevitable as they age. Stiff, creaky joints and painful limbs can be hard to witness in our four-legged best friends, leaving pet owners wondering, What can I give my dog for pain?

When it comes to arthritis relief for dogs, there are several options. Some are good and some are not so good. Read on to discover a solution that more and more dog lovers are using with great success.

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Natural Supplements For Dog Arthritis

Below are some natural supplements to help your dog manage arthritis pain:

• Turmeric As a type of spice rich in antioxidants, turmeric can help reduce inflammation and damage to your dogs joints. The recommended intake is 0.5-1 teaspoon of turmeric powder per day or about 15-20 mg based on your pets body weight.
• Comfrey Comfrey has pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties. These shrubby herbs have long, slender leaves, and theyre available as dried herbs in food stores. The recommended daily dose of comfrey for your pets should be around 0.5-1 teaspoons.
• Yucca Yucca contains compounds that help dogs with inflamed joints and promotes the passage of nutrients to the digestive tract. Its also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and contains calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Introduce your dog with yucca root powder before giving it a concentrated dose of about 1/4 teaspoon.

What If My Dog Has Contact With A Potentially Rabid Animal

You or your vet should also call your local health department and file a report. This way, the animal in question can be located and removed from the area, so no other animals are harmed.

Keep in mind that you could catch rabies from the wound if your dog was bitten, so donât touch or clean the wound without wearing disposable gloves.

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Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil

In recent years, exciting clinical research has emerged about the properties of broad spectrum hemp oil for dogs. Many readers in our community have found great success using it along with more traditional supplements like glucosamine and omega-3.

Broad spectrum hemp oil is available in an oil format, or can be given as a chew as well.

Hopefully youve found a few helpful answers to, what home remedy can I give my dog for arthritis? in this list. These remedies can be helpful in your quest to improve your dogs quality of life!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional.

How To Use Aspirin For Arthritis Pain Relief In Dogs

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 8,078 times.

Aspirin can help to relieve pain caused by arthritis, but should not be given to dogs with certain conditions. Since aspirin is linked to an increased risk of stomach ulcers and other intestinal complications in dogs, you should only give your dog aspirin if told to do so by your vet. In order to treat your dog’s arthritis, it is important to know if your dog should get aspirin, and how much aspirin to give it to maximize pain relief.

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Are There Other Signs Of Oa Besides Difficulty Getting Up And Down

Dogs can exhibit many different signs when they have OA, and they do not necessarily demonstrate all the same signs all the time. The most common signs dog owners may notice include:

• Difficulty getting up and down
• Walking stiffly
• Lameness in one or more legs
• Reluctance to go up and/or down stairs
• Reluctance to jump up or down
• Stiff, swollen, or sore joints
• Reluctance to be touched on some parts of the body
• Loss of stamina
• Unexpected aggression towards other dogs or towards humans

Arthritis In Dogs: How To Manage Pain

At the end of the day, although an arthritis diagnosis might seem frightening, there are many different methods and strategies available to you to help your dog and manage his pain. Your veterinarian can help you find the right plan based on your dog specifically and answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

Innovet created a product line of full spectrum pure hemp oils void of dangerous compounds. Their USDA certified organic oil is formulated especially for animals and is also third-party tested to ensure consistency and purity. Innovet offers more than 50 affordable products to help pets manage anxiety, pain, as well as other conditions. Get more information about Innovets CBD products. Their latest formulation, Advanced Mobility Support for Hip and Joints, combines the power of glucosamine with organic hemp extract to help pets with arthritis feel their best.

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Pet Stairs For Beds Or Cars

I should have prepared for this day sooner because it happened out of the blue. One day, my dog wouldnt hop into the backseat and he had to get lifted into the car.

After several weeks of research, I bought 2 styles and tested them out. One style was made of plastic with carpeted steps and the other style was folding steps that attach to the back of my SUV. I bought both styles with the full intention of returning the one my dog didnt like. Turns out, both styles are perfect for different reasons and I kept both.

You can see my full review here: Car Steps for Dogs and you can watch my dog using both styles in this video:

Why I Use the Foldable Pet Steps

When transporting my dog in the back of my jeep, I use these: fold-able stairs style and they were friendly on my budget. If youre looking for something even more substantial, check out the price and reviews on this product: High End Dog Stairs that hooks to the hatch latch.

I was very worried that my 90 pound dog wouldnt acclimate, but he did a great job after about 10 or so tries. Now he uses them without hesitation, but I still stay by his side and guide him.

I keep the foldable stairs right in my SUV and they also come in handy at the dog wash. My dog will not use the steep, skinny ramp that leads him into the high tub for his bath, but I can bring the fold-able steps inside and hell use them. Hallelujah!

When I Use the Plastic Pet Steps

Both sets of stairs have helped him tremendously.

Dogs At Risk For Arthritis

Any dog can develop arthritis, but it is more common in older dogs and large breeds, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Great Danes. It can also occur more often in breeds with hereditary conditions linked to arthritis. For instance, Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers tend to have luxating patella, and Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, and Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia.

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Recognizing Arthritis In Senior Dogs

As arthritis progresses, some older dogs will have a harder time standing up from a lying position or jumping up into the car or onto the bed. Others may look stiff, act sore, or begin limping when they walk.

It can be easy to attribute the signs of arthritis to age-related slowing down and assume this is normal behavior for a senior dog. However, many times this isnt the case.

If your dog is in the golden yearsor closethere are simple steps you can take at home to give the gifts of mobility, comfort, and more good days. However, before you break out your DIY building skills, shop online, or implement any of the other tips I am about to share with you, first please make an appointment with your dogs veterinarian.

What Can You Give A Dog For Pain

Your veterinarian will work with you to develop an individualized plan depending on the type of pain your dog is having. This may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which help relieve pain by decreasing inflammation.

• Opioids, which work in the brain to limit pain perception .

• Other drugs can affect the nervous system at various levels that can limit pain signal perception.

• Supplements are used in cases of mild to moderate pain, or with other medications to limit the amount of a drug your dog may need to take.

• Combinations of physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and environmental modifications for pets that cannot tolerate medication well.

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Physical And Alternative Therapy To Treat Arthritis In Dogs

In addition to diet, supplements, and medications, there are also therapy treatment options available to help manage a dogs arthritis pain. Physical therapy, like appropriate forms of regular exercise, as mentioned earlier can be extremely beneficial for dogs with arthritis. Many owners also find hydrotherapy, or water therapy, helpful.

Holistic therapies, like acupuncture, can be useful as well. Acupressure and targeted pulsed electromagnetic field therapy are other alternative options that may be useful for the treatment of arthritis in dogs.

Cover Slippery Floors In Your House

• Use rugs, carpets or anti-slip mats to make floors around the house less slippy.
• Dogs with arthritis have weak muscles, which means they are prone to slipping and struggle to get up. Slipping can cause further injury.
• If you cant cover the whole house, focus these in the areas that your dog uses the most.

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Symptoms Of Canine Arthritis

Arthritis often comes on gradually and may not be obvious at first. But it is important to be on the lookout for the early signs of this disease in your senior pet to prevent any undue suffering. Your dog may not be crying or limping, but that doesnt mean he is not in pain. Other subtle symptoms, like tiring more easily or a reluctance to engage in certain activities can also be signs that your pup is feeling some discomfort. Other common symptoms of arthritis in dogs can include:

• Hesitancy to jump, lay down, or get up
• Stiff or abnormal gait
• Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
• Hiding or reluctance to interact with family

If you notice these changes in your dog, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your veterinarian will perform a full head to tail physical examination, including feeling your dogs joints and assessing their full range of motion. Your veterinarian may also recommend taking radiographs, also known as x-rays, of any joints that he or she finds particularly concerning. These images will allow your veterinarian to evaluate the degenerative changes in the joint, which will help guide the treatment plan for your dog.

Key Takeaways On Natural Remedies For Dogs With Arthritis

Although arthritis can occur at any age be it due to a poor diet and lack of exercise or a mechanical injury older dogs are more prone to suffer from arthritic pain.

First, have a session with your veterinarian to establish the right strategy for reducing pain and improving mobility.

Follow the vets instructions and support the treatment with the aforementioned natural remedies. Supplements like CBD oil, licorice, and turmeric are especially useful for treating pain and inflammation the two common signs of arthritis.

Make sure to prepare your house so that your dog can live through this demanding period with dignity.

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How Do You Treat Arthritis In Dogs Back Legs

In addition to the use of joint supplements, pain control is a mainstay of osteoarthritis treatment. The most commonly used pain control medications for more severe osteoarthritis are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs . NSAIDs can not only reduce pain, but also decrease inflammation in the joints.

Treating Arthritis In Dogs

As your veterinarian will explain, there are a variety of different options to treat arthritis in dogs. Your plan may include a combination of management solutions and ultimately will depend on your dog and his specific situation. That being said, these are some of the most common ways to manage arthritis pain in dogs.

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Turn On A Tv Or Radio When You Leave

If your dog is arthritic and having real mobility issues it might be beneficial to leave a tv or radio on when you leave. This helps drown out incidental noise such as children playing outside or other dogs barking, or the mail being delivered all which make your dog: leap into action.

At a certain point and as arthritis progresses, these extra precautions help keep your dog from injuring herself further while youre not home.

Can A Dog Have Too Much Cbd

Yes, it is possible for a dog to have too much CBD. However, this is usually only the case if they accidentally consume too much of the product.

For example, if your dog gets into your bottle of CBD oil and eats the entire contents, they may experience side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting. In most cases, these side effects are not serious and will resolve on their own.

If youre concerned that your dog may have consumed too much CBD, contact your vet right away. They will be able to assess the situation and provide guidance on how to proceed.

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Combining Arthritis Dogs Treatment

Many dog arthritis natural remedies can be combined with traditional pain relief therapies, such as NSAIDs, tramadol, amantadine, gabapentin, steroids and more, Dr. Morgan says.

I like people to understand that there are always more tools in the toolbox to treat arthritis, she says. Some dogs have horrible joints on radiographs yet show little pain. Others have minimal changes on X-ray yet act stiff and sore and don’t want to move. Pain tolerance is different for each individual.

While I always treat first with natural therapies and remedies, I will add in prescription medications when needed to control pain, she adds. Sometimes it takes a combination of many therapies and supplements and medications when the disease reaches an advanced state.

How Will I Know If My Dog Has Arthritis

There are a few different signs that you may notice if your dog has arthritis. They may start to limp or have difficulty getting up from a lying down position. You may also notice them licking or biting at a particular joint or area of pain.

If you notice any of these signs, its important to take them to the vet for a diagnosis. Only a vet can determine if your dog has arthritis and rule out any other possible causes of their symptoms.

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Dietary Modifications For Joint Pain

Diet is the cornerstone of your dogs well-being, including joint function. Paying attention to the amount and quality of food the dog is eating can easily help prevent and manage arthritis.

Keep Track of Your Dogs Food Intake

Dog parents are often tempted to spoil their dogs, including accidental overfeeding episodes. After all, its difficult to resist those large, begging eyes.

That being said, there are better ways to show your love than through food.

Feeding your dog enough food and maintaining its quality will keep them in good shape for a very long time. This means less pain and improved mobility.

Take Care of the Right Ingredients

Its not only the amount of food but also the quality that may cause obesity in dogs.

Canines are strict carnivores and natural hunters, meaning their diet should consist of meat, organs, and occasional fruits with selected vegetables.

Harsh as it may sound, the vast majority of dog food in supermarkets shouldnt be allowed for sale in the first place.

This food is usually full of processed ingredients, colorings, grains, sugars, and unnecessary fillers that contribute to inflammation and can make arthritis even worse.

Consult your veterinarian or a dog dietician to get a better understanding of your dogs nutritional needs.