No one wants to see their canine friend in pain. The good news is, if your dog is experiencing pain and problems from arthritis or joint issues, there are several different ways in which you can treat the problem.
So, if you want your dog to be pain-free, healthier, and happier, here are seven methods for treating arthritis and joint pain that you will definitely want to consider.
Table of Contents
1. Follow a Weight Management Plan
If your dog has joint issues and is overweight, it is important that you take steps to manage your dog’s weight.
Obesity can increase the pressure on your dog’s joints, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
So, whether your dog has arthritis or other joint problems, you can ease his or her pain by adopting a long-term weight management plan.
That will involve sticking to a weight management plan for your dog that includes changes to diet and exercise.
You should consult your veterinarian to determine the best weight management plan for your specific pet.
2. Make Diet and Exercise Changes
Even if your dog is not overweight, if he or she is suffering from arthritis or joint pain, making changes to your dog’s diet and exercise routine can be helpful forms of treatment.
Again, speak to your veterinarian about appropriate foods and activities for your dog.
With regards to your dog’s diet, consider changing to quality dog food products that are specifically formulated for dog joint health.
When it comes to exercise, it’s typically best to take your dog on short walks of about ten or fifteen minutes three or four times a day and ensure your dog participates in high-impact activities, like running, jumping, and chasing balls.
Just make sure the activities your dog does do not increase his or her pain or stress levels.
Physical therapy and massage can also work well for treating arthritis or joint pain in canines.
You could even consider consulting an animal physical rehabilitation practitioner who can lead your dog through therapeutic exercises such as using passive stretching, underwater treadmills, and controlled walking with obstacles.
3. Give Your Dog CBD Oil
One treatment option for arthritis and joint pains in dogs that has become very popular in recent years is CBD oil, which is a compound found in cannabis and hemp.
Just like CBD oil can be effective in treating joint issues in humans, it can work wonders for relieving joint pains in dogs.
Just make sure you find the right CBD oil for your dog. For instance, the CBD oil from Honest Paws is an excellent choice because it is organic and non-intoxicating, and it will help to support a healthy immune system in your furry friend.
4. Try Joint Supplements
You could also try giving your dog joint supplements.
Look for supplements that contain ingredients that are well-known for supporting dog joint health, such as glucosamine hydrochloride, methylsulfonylmethane, docosahexaenoic acid, chondroitin sulfate, eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.
Also, some breeds of dogs are more prone to developing joint problems than others. So, if you have one of those breeds, it is highly recommended that you start giving your dog joint supplements from the age of eight weeks.
Elbow joint issues tend to happen most in English Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Welsh Corgis, while Labradors and Golden Retrievers can often also develop joint problems in their shoulders.
As for hip and knee joint issues, a wide variety of breeds, from toy breeds to giant breeds, can be susceptible to developing those problems, including but not limited to:
- Miniature Poodles.
- Chihuahuas.
- Pugs.
- American Staffordshire Terriers.
- Labrador Retrievers.
- Golden Retrievers.
- Boxers.
- German Shepherds.
- Mastiffs.
- Great Danes.
5. Ask Your Veterinarian About Using NSAIDs
NSAIDs, which stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can play a leading role in controlling inflammation and joint pain in dogs.
But NSAIDs for dogs are only available on prescription, so make sure you consult your veterinarian to find out which drug would be the best option for your specific dog and get a prescription.
The prescription medications Carprofen, Galliprant, and Meloxicam are the safest options available for controlling inflammation.
6. Ask Your Veterinarian About Using Adequan Injections
Another option that you can talk about with your veterinarian is using Adequan, which is an FDA-approved series of injections that your veterinarian will carry out.
Adequan injections can increase joint lubrication and help to reduce inflammation.
7. Give Alternative Therapies a Go
If your dog has arthritis, in addition to trying the options above, alternative therapies could help to reduce your dog’s arthritic pain.
Many dog owners try treatments like hydrotherapy, electromagnetic field therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture to reduce chronic joint pain in dogs with arthritis.
While more research needs to be done to examine the effectiveness of such therapies, dog owners will often tell you that such treatments work well.
Acupuncture in particular, which involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body, has clinical evidence to back up its effectiveness and, when used in combination with other treatments, it can be very good for reducing chronic dog joint pain.
Summing Up
If your dog is suffering from arthritis or joint issues, the first thing you should do is visit your local veterinarian to get advice on the best course of treatment.
The veterinarian can give you advice about changes you can make to your dog’s diet and exercise routine as well as recommend the best types of treatments, such as supplements or CBD oil.
You may wish to try one type of treatment or a variety of treatments. Again, ask your veterinarian what the best course of action is.
To recap, you could treat your dog’s arthritis or joint issues by:
- Following a weight management plan.
- Making diet and exercise changes.
- Giving your dog CBD oil.
- Trying joint supplements.
- Using NSAIDs.
- Using Adequan injections.
- Giving alternative therapies like hydrotherapy, electromagnetic field therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture a go.
