How Can I Help My Arthritic Dog?

Arthritis is a debilitating condition that causes deterioration of the joint cartilage. This cartilage deterioration causes friction between joints which makes walking and moving painful. Arthritis is more common in older dogs; So it is often accompanied by other age related conditions such as deteriorating vision and hearing. When a dog suffers from arthritis, the owner has a vital role to play in helping it maintain a good quality of life.

Things You'll Need

  • Rugs
  • Newspaper
  • Joint supplements
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Instructions

    • 1

      Monitor your dog's body fat. You don't need to do this by weighing your dog: You can tell if the dog is gaining weight by feeling around the waist and ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs through the fur. It is easy for an inactive dog to gain weight. The symptoms of arthritis are compounded by obesity and excess weight. Help your dog by adjusting his diet. Since the dog is no longer as active and isn't growing, energy is less necessary. Feed the dog a food that contains less fat to keep his weight down.

    • 2

      Massage your dog gently. A massage can relieve some of the pain caused by canine arthritis. Use a gentle kneading motion all over the body.

    • 3

      Exercise your dog frequently, but with less intensity. Long walks and extended games of fetch are potentially harmful to your arthritic dog. He may not feel it at the time, but too much exercise can cause further joint inflamation. You still must exercise your dog to maintain heart health, weight and muscle strength; but prolonged exercise can cause severe pain to the joints. A gentle five or ten minute stroll around the garden or neighborhood twice a day is sufficient. Stay close to the house so that you can return home quickly if the dog experiences pain.

    • 4

      Feed him joint supplements. Glucosamine and chondrotin promote joint health in arthritic dogs. Oily fish, like salmon, is rich in Omega 3, which also helps joints.

    • 5

      Visit your veterinarian regularly. The vet can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs for your dog, which may be necessary if the pain becomes worse over time.

    • 6

      Rearrange your home to make life easier for the dog. It takes your arthritic dog a little longer than it used to, to get outside to do his business. Help your dog by putting her bed as close to the door as possible. Put some newspaper down if you think she might have an accident. Remove any unnecessary obstacles that could cause the dog to trip, such as toys or shoes. Put rugs down to cover polished wood floors. These are slippy and hard to walk on for dogs with arthritis.