The debilitating pain from arthritis can be extremely painful to dogs. And while we like to think our four-legged best friends would be immune to such a common human disease, the truth is that dogs can suffer from debilitating joint pain just the same as humans.
It’s always best to have your veterinarian examine your dog before beginning any arthritis relief regimen. But in the meantime, you can document some of the common signs of arthritis pain in your dog and inform you vet on your dog’s next visit.
Common signs include:
- Muscle atrophy (leg muscle is thinner than other muscles)
- Limping when walking
- Biting or licking painful areas
- Tiredness
- Whimpering/yelping when painful area is touched
Types of Arthritis in Dogs
Degenerative Joint Disease (Osteoarthritis)
Septic Arthritis
Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
Non-Erosive Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
Erosive Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
Causes of Arthritis in Dogs
There are a number of factors that can bring about arthritis in dogs. Although arthritis is mostly seen in older dogs, younger dogs can also develop early symptoms.
Injury
Injuries like falling off the bed, the couch, or down the stairs can injure a dog setting in motion future join problems
Degenerative Traits
Dogs (especially purebreds) can pass down genetic traits to offspring rendering them susceptible to degenerative diseases
Excess Cartilage
Most commonly seen in large breed dogs, a thickening of joint cartilage can cause lameness of the joints
Immune System Disorder
The wearing away of the protective cartilage surrounding the bone caused by an overreaction of the immune system.
Below are some common items that will aid in helping to relieve the painful effects of arthritis in your dog.
Dog Food for Joint Health
As much as I try not to feed my dog Gwen table scraps I have to admit that I slip up here and there. Occasionally. I “accidently” drop a few pepperonis on the floor for her.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for any dog but it becomes a top priority for dogs with arthritis symptoms. The extra weight can put a major strain on already weakened joints making walking, climbing, and rising laying position that much more strenuous.
Luckily, dog food companies have developed recipes specifically created to aid in restoring mobility to your dog. Usually these specially to recipes have hip and joint health labels and feature ingredients such as Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids.
Additionally, look for additives like Glucosamine and Chondroitin, both of which aid in hip and joint function Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula does just this by combining all of the needed additives with all-natural ingredients like chicken, rice, and barley.
This mix of ingredients was created specifically for senior dogs of medium size. Blue Buffalo also makes recipes for large breed dogs as well.
Remember, make sure to consult your vet before beginning a diet regimen.
Orthopedic Memory Foam Bed
Having a comfortable place to rest their aching bones is another great way to ease you pooches joint pain. When I adopted Gwen, I went the low-cost route and picked up a cheap bed from Target for around $20.
This is sufficient for most dogs, but for dogs suffering from painful arthritis symptoms a more comfortable and supportive bed is in order. The Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed by Brindle is a high-quality alternative to traditional dog beds.
The memory foam molds to your dog’s body and distributes his weight evenly across its surface relieving the strain on pressure points. This is essential for dogs suffering from arthritis since putting unnecessary weight on already stressed joints is extremely uncomfortable and painful.
Decreased mobility is a symptom or arthritis causing some dogs to have trouble getting up to use the bathroom. Good thing the bed cover is waterproof and machine washable.
Now, you won’t have to worry about pet waste sinking into the fabric and ruining the bed.
Joint Supplements (Nutramax Cosequin DS Chewable Tablets)
Difficulty climbing stairs, jumping onto the couch, and crouching are just a few telltale signs of doggy joint pain. Surgery bills for hip dysplasia can skyrocket into the thousands.
If surgery is the last resort consider using a joint supplement to combat arthritis pain. Look for joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM as they offer effective low-cost pain management.
On of the top-rated products for in this category is Nutramax Cosequin DS. These chewable tablets are great for older dogs experiencing joint pain. They can help keep pain levels manageable when surgery is delayed.
And supplements can come with some drawbacks.
Notable side effects include:
Bad taste – there won’t be any effect if your dog won’t even scarf down the tablets
Diarrhea – stomach problems can arise with any change to a dog’s diet
Excess calories – the last thing a dog with bum joints needs is extra weight on its bones
All in all, when considering adding any supplements to your dog’s diet always consult your vet first.
Support Harness
I truly had no idea that items like this actually existed before i started researching this topic. One of the most practical products I found is it support harness.
whether you’re practicing pain management or your dog is recovering from surgery a walking harness is an invaluable tool. The Labra adjustable harness lets you assist you dog while walking to take excess weight off of their hind legs.
Harness are especially useful if your dog has to climb stairs. It can be heartbreaking to watch them struggle up the steps, but with the aid of a harness and you, traversing up and down stairs can be a breeze.
One drawback that has been reported is that the harness can slide back and forth, so proper placement is a must when using.
Pet Stairs
Without a doubt Gwen’s favorite place in the whole house is the couch. She has two whole cushions to herself which she curls up on or stretches out on as she pleases.
This gives her comfortable place to rest and also keeps her terrible shedding confined to one area. Getting up on the couch isn’t an issue for Gwen now – the 15” jump is no problem for her.
But for dogs with mobility issues, accessing their favorite resting spot can be painful and near impossible without help. A simple method for helping them is using a pet staircase.
Pet staircases come in all shapes and sizes and can support the weight of many large breed dogs. The 3-step pet staircase from Best Pet Supplies starts at $45.99 and comes in three sizes.
Its 13.5” height and and 15” wide steps make it an awesome choice for easy access to most couches and beds. The largest size supports dogs up to 130 lbs but the base models should be fine for most small to medium-size dogs.
A sudden emergence of stairs may be scary for some dogs so be sure to get your pooch acquainted with the steps. Bribery (treats) may be needed in the beginning.
Also, measure the height of your couch or bed before you buy to make sure your getting the perfect sets of stairs
Conclusion
Surgery may still be in your dog’s future but simple steps can be taken to delay, forgo, or support your dog post-surgery. And investing in products that helps stave off pain and promote mobility are a huge help to your dog no matter what stage they’re in.
And remember, it’s always a good idea to consult your vet before starting a dietary regimen or using supplements.