As a dog owner, you never want your four legged friend to be in pain or upset in any way. Your number one concern is taking care of their health and reducing their anxiety. However, sometimes your dog will become unwell – and arthritis is surprisingly common in dogs. Here, we take a look at how you can spot arthritis in your dog and how you can help them.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory illness that impacts your dog’s joints. It can occur when cartilage becomes damaged over time. When this happens, your dog’s bones rub against each other and cause inflammation. While it’s more common in older dogs, younger dogs may develop arthritis after an injury.

Signs of arthritis in dogs

It can be challenging to spot any kind of illness in dogs, but arthritis might be present if your dog is limping during and after walks, or if they are reluctant to walk at all. Your dog may show signs of struggling to find a comfortable position when settling down, and they might chew at a certain area of their body, indicating pain.

You should also look out for your dog seeming less open to physical affection, and if they seem suddenly tired or moody, this could indicate physical discomfort.

Causes of arthritis in dogs

This disease is most likely to happen due to joint injuries, or if your dog is overweight and more pressure is being placed on their bodies. However, it is most commonly associated with dogs ageing and slowing down naturally.

Some breeds are more likely to develop this than others, such as German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers, among others.

Treatments for arthritis

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis – but you can keep your dog comfortable and stress-free even so. The most important step is to take your dog to see the vet if they display symptoms, so they can be appropriately diagnosed. After diagnosis, you can ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise. This prevents further weakening of muscles, leading to more joint damage. Even slow and steady exercise can help, building up to thirty minutes per day.

You can also keep your dog on a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining a suitable weight for their breed. Feeding them foods rich in Omega 3 and antioxidants can specifically help them to improve their overall immunity and reduce further damage.

If your dog is in pain, it is important to know the medication options available, such as anti-inflammatory medication, and using supplements to support their diet.

Try Pet Remedy products today

Arthritis can be a challenging condition for your dog to live with, but with the right care, they can still live a long and happy life. If you find that the increased pain and discomfort associated with arthritis is causing your dog to become distressed or anxious, then Pet Remedy is here to help.

Our natural, calming products are designed to alleviate pet stress, calming them without sedating. Widely used by vets across the world, Pet Remedy could be a great tool in keeping your dog comfortable and happy even when living with arthritis.