Ways to Help an Arthritic Dog

Sometimes it happens. The easy run becomes a stiff walk. The jump to a favorite chair is no longer possible. Lying down is accompanied by a deep groan. As our dogs age, things that were once second nature become an effort. Today, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and companion animal care, many dogs are living much much longer. On the downside, that longevity also increases the odds that they’ll suffer from some form of degenerative joint disease (DJD), or osteoarthritis. There are several types of canine arthritis and we will discuss the method to fight with them.

First, and the most obvious is to take your dog in for regular checkups so that your veterinarian can monitor your pet’s arthritis and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Another advice is to keep your dog slim. This can help by decreasing the load on his joints. You should feed your dog the right amount of high-quality food.

Next - controlled exercise. Make sure you carefully monitor your dog while he plays, walks, or runs. If possible, find a soft surface for activity. As much as possible, keep your dog warm and dry, since cold and damp conditions can aggravate arthritis.

Consider investing in a good dog bed. The ones with VISCO - an orthopaedic foam mat that is dedicated to dogs with arthritis and health problems referring to bones and joints - is a must. The mat’s features will allow your dog to move without any pain and throughout the day.

Mattress with orthopaedic VISCO mat

Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation to a professional animal massage therapist, as massage can increase your dog’s flexibility, circulation, and sense of well-being.

Last but not least - acupuncture.  You may think that is just for people, but is not. This painless technique has shown some success in animals suffering from arthritis.