You’ve gotten home from work and notice your best buddy is not in the usual jovial mood. He doesn’t jump up to offer greetings like he always does. They barely run as much as they always do and when they try to, you notice a hitch in their stride.
You decide to take them to the park for a walk to cheer them up, that’s when another dog walker alerts you: your buddy is suffering from arthritis.
Arthritis is a chronic ailment that comes about when joint’s cartilage deteriorates, from chronic inflammation. As the cartilage wears off then the bones rub against each other with causes discomfort and pain.
You feel sad for your pet but the good thing is we’re here in time to the rescue. We want to help ease your dog’s arthritis with these natural remedies. Keep reading for the 5 best natural ways to treat your dog’s arthritis.
1. Diet
Feeding your buddy on a better diet will go a long way to treat the condition. Generally, dogs will eat just about anything they’re offered. Things to include should be meat for increased protein, a healthy amount of carbs and fats.
Foods such as blueberries are rich in antioxidants and can be added to each meal alongside some bone broth and steamed of fresh vegetables. Being keen and putting your dog on a good overall diet will improve their health.
2. Exercise
It may appear counter-intuitive to get your dog moving around especially if they’re in pain. But when dogs don’t get enough exercise, especially when they are overweight, they will experience excessive strain. They key is in what you ask your dog to do.
Start with gentle walks to avoid stressing out the muscles. As the dog builds endurance to increase the distance, time and speed. You don’t want to overwork them, but you also want to ensure their muscles and joints are getting used frequently.
3. Supplements
Sometimes you’ve tried the first two tips but still, feel like your buddy is yet to get this groove back on. Supplements are another great treatment for dog arthritis. Adding them to your dog’s diet is easy.
The necessary supplements for smooth joint movement are glucosamine and Chondroitin, antioxidants, omega-3s, MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), and turmeric. These help in cleaning out the toxins and repairing the damaged body cells.
4. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a great way for relieving dogs with arthritis. Good news is that this is a technique you can learn and can do anytime your buddy is in distress. Muscles tend to get sore and uncomfortable due to canine osteoarthritis.
A massage near the joints of the hips, knees, shoulders and along the spine will not only relax your dog but also relieve it of some pain. A happy and healthy dog will teach you a few things you were not aware of.
5. Weight Loss
Overweight dogs have become a common sight. Having that extra weight is hard on the joints. Having your dog shed off some weight will go a long way and make a difference.
By pressing your hand on their side, you should be able to feel the ribs and shouldn’t feel a big fat layer. Keeping them in the right weight will help handle the condition.
Natural Remedies to Treat Your Dog’s Arthritis
There you have the 5 best natural ways to treat your dog’s arthritis. Put more of these ideas into practice and your dog will be well on the road to full recovery. For more information on joints and mobility please check out our website.