Tips for Maintaining joint Health in Dogs
Joints are a very important part of your dog’s legs. A joint has a few different components that all have their own critical functions. Connecting bones determine the joint’s stability, making up its structure. Cartilage is a firm connective tissue between the connecting bones that lessens the effects of movement. Damaged cartilage causes the connecting bones to collide, which leads to pain and inflammation. Synovium is a lubricant that allows the bones to glide freely. Ligaments are the connective fibers along the side of the joint, preventing the bones from moving out of place.
Joints allow your dog to move freely, including standing up, laying down, walking, running, sitting, and playing. The joints provide padding that lets them jump and run freely without the bones getting damaged.
As our dogs grow old, the chances of arthritis and other joint related issues increase and pose higher problems. It can be worse for some breeds that are bred for specific traits but end up facing trouble with their bone health. Joint pain occurs due to the wear & tear and overstraining of joints. Many injuries that occur early in life tend to display consequences as your dog ages. Hip dysplasia and other problems indicate noticeable effects afterward, even though they may have been present for some time.
While most dogs are at the risk of joint pain, there are some that are more susceptible. These include obese dogs, working breeds, athletic dogs, diabetic dogs, and those that have suffered trauma or injury. Since dogs are excellent at hiding pain, your pooch will only display symptoms when it gets unbearable. Common signs include reluctance to climb stairs or walk a lot; your dog may even have trouble standing after waking up or playing in the park.
One of the most frequent ailments that dogs have is joint pain. According to a survey of 200 veterinarians, joint pains affected 20% of all dogs older than a year. Fortunately, a lot of great supplements can support dogs that are suffering from this severe illness. Daily vitamins are crucial to our family’s balanced health, and our four-legged, furry pals should not be different. Let’s discuss the best dog supplements and what to look for in pet nutritional supplements.
The old proverb “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” comes to mind regarding safeguarding your dog’s joints. Many people think that dogs only need joint supplements when they start to showcase discomfort. However, preventative care may also be a part of proper joint care. Read on to discover the best nutritional supplements for your dog, which might significantly improve their quality of life. Elderly dogs and dogs with certain illnesses and injuries will have less synovium in their joints, causing bone degradation and joint pain, as well as arthritis. A lot of dog breeds are also prone to having joint issues, like German Shepherds.
Dogs can also inherit certain joint diseases. Developmental joint issues mean that your dog has over or underdeveloped bones in their joints. An example is an oversized hip bone in the hip socket will often pop out, making the bones rub together. Degenerative joint diseases, like osteoarthritis, cause arthritis when the cartilage around the bones deteriorates. Joints are difficult to repair once cartilage is damaged, so it’s important to maintain your dog’s joint health in various ways even when they seem healthy.
Common Signs Of Dog Joint Health Problems
While dogs often keep an upbeat demeanor and will always appear positive and happy to an extent, you will definitely be able to notice signs and symptoms of joint issues your pup is facing. Joint conditions and arthritis are just too painful for your dog to hide at all times. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Limping: If your dog is scared to put pressure on a certain limb or seems to have issues walking normally with that limb, something si definitely wrong.
- Favoring one side: You’ll notice that your dog is using one of their limbs a lot more than usual — and a lot more than another — if they are experiencing discomfort.
- Avoiding running and jumping: Your dog will hold back if they feel the movement will hurt them. They’ll probably run less and avoid any activity that involves jumping.
- Avoiding stairs: If your dog usually has no problem going up the stairs but is now hesitant to follow you up the steps, they might be experiencing a lot of discomfort in their limbs.
- Using front legs to stand up: Watch how your dog stands back up after they are lying down or sitting. If they only use their front legs to pull themselves up, they might have symptoms of hip dysplasia. That’s the most common form of arthritis for dogs. Dogs suffering from this don’t want to put pressure on their hind legs.
- Change in temperament: A dog experiencing great pain might not appear as friendly as they were before. Sometimes a dog may even become irritated and aggressive if they are in serious pain. If your dog doesn’t like to be put in certain spots or gets upset when you come near them, bring them to the vet immediately.
- Lethargic behavior: If your dog usually runs around, plays, and explores, you’ll immediately notice a change in behavior if they are experiencing joint discomfort. A dog that suddenly lays around and seems depressed is most likely experiencing some serious pain that’s not allowing them to enjoy their usual activities. Your pet may also hide, or seek shelter, in an area they deem peaceful to deal with the pain.
- Swollen joints: Joint pain will often lead to inflammation. You want to keep an eye out for this to prevent further damage to your dog’s joints.
- Muscle degeneration: You’ll notice degeneration when they refuse to put weight on their limb or stop moving around. This only worsens the problem.
- Licking the affected joint: Dogs lick things to heal them. When they sense something is wrong, you’ll notice your dog will start licking that area a lot more frequently. They are attempting to relieve some of the pain.
How do I tell if my dog is experiencing joint pain?
Since your dog can’t really tell you where it hurts, or even that it hurts at all, you’ll have to be a bit of a detective. Common signs of joint pain include:
- Stiffness or difficulty standing up
- Hesitating to run, jump or play
- Difficulty going to the bathroom
- Irritability when touched
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Loss of muscle mass
- Lethargy
- Weight gain
If you notice any of these warning signs and your dog isn’t showing signs of improvement after a few days, you may want to take them to the vet for a check-up. There are many things you can do to help your pup if they are in pain, and an exam by your vet is the first step.
The vet will assess your dog’s range of motion and take X-rays so they can see if there is any joint damage. The findings from these assessments along with your pup’s age and medical history will help your vet put together the best treatment plan.
Benefits of Joint and Hip Health for Dogs of Any Age
As we grow older, we sometimes could use a little extra support to keep our bodies functioning naturally. The same is true for your dog. Just like people, dogs also need normal activity and exercise to stay healthy. That’s why it makes sense to strike a balance between physical activity and connective tissue support throughout your canine’s life. Joint health can benefit a dog of any age:
- Puppies:Start out strong by supporting your dog’s joints during youth. In the long run, promoting cartilage development and joint health can help maintain overall well-being — especially when it comes to extremely active puppies!
- Adults: If you care for a dog that requires a lot of exercise or you’re training a canine athlete, proper joint health is essential. Implementing routines and supplements to promote healthy joints can help keep your dog’s body functioning normally as they grow older.
- Seniors: Senior dogs can continue to maintain a good quality of life as long as their bodies are well-cared for. A proper supplement can ease joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity that can help older dogs stay active into their later years.
So as a pet owner, you’ll need to know how to keep your dog’s joints healthy. We’ve outlined a few tips below.
- Get Enough Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain joint health for dogs. Your workout regimen may vary depending on the age and condition of your dog, however.
Here are three different types of exercise your dog can try:
Swimming
Swimming is one of the best types of exercise for dogs of any age. It is a low-impact activity that’s great for the joints. By swimming regularly, your dog can build muscle and shed some excess weight. And it’s easy because all you need to do is fill your bathtub with water!
Going for a dip can also encourage better blood circulation to your dog’s joints and muscles. On top of that, it also benefits the heart and lungs. After all, being in the water can give your dog a workout without putting too much pressure on their joints.
Walking
Sometimes, swimming isn’t always convenient. So why not go on a walk instead? Walks are possible any time of the day, anyway. But make sure that when you plan to go on a walk, you don’t overexert your dog. Divide your walking sessions into just a few minutes each.
For instance, instead of going on a one-hour walk, consider taking four 15-minute strolls throughout the day instead. And it’s a win-win: your dog gets the right amount of exercise without putting too much stress on their joints.
Natural playtime
Shake things up and take your dog to the park where it can play with other dogs. Natural playtime is a great type of workout for your dog because they get to spend time with other four-legged friends.
But make sure your pet doesn’t overexert themselves by participating in rigorous activities like frisbee throwing. Jumping and landing could put them at risk of a serious injury. On a similar note, steer clear of parks with steep inclines because they could end up slipping.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Proper joint care for dogs also involves sticking to a healthy diet. And this isn’t just about eating fiber and vitamin-rich foods. It’s about strengthening the joints themselves with two types of compounds: glucosamine and chondroitin.
Glucosamine
Your dog naturally produces glucosamine, a necessary substance for joint cartilage. As your dog gets older, however, it ends up producing less.
This could, in turn, make your dog more prone to joint stiffness. Without glucosamine, your dog loses its ability to absorb impact and reduce pain.
To remedy this, vets recommend a dietary intake of glucosamine-rich food. These include:
- Trachea
- Chicken feet
- Oxtails or pigtails
- Beef knuckle bones
- Shellfish shells
- Green lipped mussels
- Bone broth
These foods are rich sources of glucosamine so you won’t have to rely on taking joint supplements for dogs. Just keep in mind that dogs need around 500 mg of glucosamine per 25 pounds each day.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin is just as important as glucosamine because it helps maintain cartilage elasticity. It also prevents the production of anti-inflammatory mediators that can damage the joints.
Your dog also tends to produce less chondroitin as they grow older. Maintain your dog’s chondroitin by including these foods in their diet:
- Cow trachea
- Pig ears
- Pig nose
- Bird cartilage
You may also shop for chondroitin supplements available in the market.
- Give Your Dog a Massage
Massaging your dog is a great way to relieve some of the joint pain it feels. But before you schedule a massage session with your dog, ask your vet if it’s safe and what types of massages you can do.
Before the massage, rub your dog’s body all over to calm them down and get them in the right mood. Then, feel for any areas with tight muscles and try to loosen them with a gentle rub. Avoid applying direct pressure on the joints themselves. Instead, knead large group muscles on the haunches and shoulders.
When performing the massage, work through the entire body and avoid staying in one spot. And make sure you’re massaging both sides of their body.
- Keep Your Home Safe
Ask yourself whether the floors of your home could be putting your dog at a greater risk of injury. Avoid the risk of slips or trips with these tips:
Install Ramps
Ramps can reduce the amount of effort your dog puts in climbing up or down around the house. For example, if you usually sleep with your dog on the bed, place a small ramp on the side where they can climb up instead of jumping. You may also want to install ramps near other elevated areas like the porch or sofa.
Add Rugs
It’s easy to walk on tiles and hardwood. These surfaces can be quite challenging to walk on for dogs with stiff joints, however. So install high-traffic areas like the living or dining room with rugs or traction tape. A rug can give your dog enough gripping power so they won’t have to strain their joints to stay balanced.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
