Dogs become arthritic for a variety of reasons. Some suffer traumatic joint damage; others are born with abnormally formed joints. Normal activity may eventually erode the cartilage that cushions their joints
While veterinarians often prescribe corticosteroids for dogs with advanced arthritis, these drugs work by suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. They can cause side effects including muscular weakness and slow wound healing. Natural arthritis remedies may be a healthier choice for your pet.
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Weight Loss
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Dr. Bob Judd, DVM, says that simply putting your dog on a weight loss diet may be all it takes to ease his arthritic pain. Purina developed a Body Condition Score for dogs, similar to the Body Mass Index used to determine obesity in people (see Resource 2).
Ask your vet to assess your dog's BCS. If it's time for a diet, follow your vet's suggestions about what changes to make. Switch to the new diet gradually by substituting an increasingly larger portion of doggie's new food for the old each day for a week.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid
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According to Pet Lover's Guide to Canine Arthritis and Joint Problems, nutritional supplements for arthritis are marketed as either repairing cartilage or reducing inflammation.
The three veterinarians who authored this book recommend using Omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory properties. They advise feeding your dog one of the commercial diets specifically formulated for dogs with arthritis. Four cups of this food contains 1,600 milligrams (mg) of Omega-3.
You can also simply add 400 mg of an Omega-3 supplement to each cup of your pet's regular food. The number of capsules required depends on their strength.
Glucosamine, says holistic veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier, is the cartilage remodeler most often recommended for dogs with arthritis. It's produced naturally in the body's own cartilage building process. Supplemental glucosamine is made from shellfish chitin. Ask your vet about glucosamine dosage for your dog, but you don't need a prescription to buy it.
Exercise
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While coming up with an exercise program appropriate for your arthritic dog may take some planning, it's important for her quality of life. Either overdoing or neglecting her physical activity will only make her arthritis worse.
The easiest way to regulate her exercise properly is to learn her signals and stop as soon as she says she's had enough. The goal is low-impact exercise to improve joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles around her joints. Stronger muscles mean more stable joints, bringing significant relief.
Begin slowly, and get doggie some anti-inflammatory medication from her vet if necessary to help her get started. Swimming is an ideal exercise for your arthritic dog, as long as the water isn't uncomfortably cold. Walking her up gradual hills or through tall grass can also strengthen her muscles and mobility.
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