Friday, August 2, 2013

Dog Arthritis - Simple Steps to Comforting Dog Joint Pains


Arthritis in dogs is a quiet common condition. While older canines are more susceptible to joint conditions, more and more pets as young as six years old are suffering from arthritis. Just as arthritis in humans, the pain caused in your pet's joints is caused from several different factors. Once you have identified the problem, you can begin carrying out measures to treat and alleviate the discomfort felt by your canine. In addition to pet medicine and surgery, there are several simple tasks that pet owners can take to make life simpler and easier for their arthritic dog.

Special Sleeping Arrangements for Comforting Dog Joint Pain

When your dog sleeps well at night, its body has time to complete some repair and well needed rest for better functioning in the morning. Cool drafts and hard floors are bad sleeping conditions for sore joints. Choose soft and thick orthopedic dogs beds for your pet's comfort. If the pet is keep outdoors, ensure that you have an insulated doghouse that will prevent your pet from getting too cold. Consider letting your dog sleep indoors during winter months.

Controlling Arthritis in Dogs through Diet

Excessive weight only adds more pressure on already aching muscles and inflamed joints. If your pet is overweight, cut back on the amount of treats that you feed it. Look for foods specially designed for dogs that need fewer calories. In addition, be cautious about feeding your pet table foods. A good healthy weight can help reduce sore joints and increase your dog's activity level.

Reduce Dog Joint Pain with Exercise

While your canine may be reluctant to get up and play, low impact exercise is good for establishing blood flow in inflamed joints. Increasing muscle tone will also help support the weaker arthritis joints. Place your dog on a regular exercise schedule through walking it or some other form of pet and owner interaction.

Special Treatment for Pets with Arthritis

There are a few special actions that you can carry out to help make life easier for pets. Whether it is arthritis in cats or dogs, simply being aware and attentive to the special needs of the animal can go a long way. Try measures such as raising food and water bowls so that the animal does not have to bend over as far. Place ramps connecting the ground and high areas in which your pet likes to reach. Carpeted stairs next to couches and chairs are also a great way to give your pet independence. Allow your animal to use a ramp to get into and out of the vehicle.

In addition to pet medicine, pet owners can carry out a variety of treatments to soothe the aching joints of their arthritic animals. The goal of successfully managing the arthritis of your pet is to lessen as much of the joint pain as possible and give your animal a happy quality of life. Try to create conditions that allow your dog to carry out all of its favorite activities despite of its condition.

No comments:

Post a Comment