Introduction

Dogs can suffer from arthritis just like people, but what exactly is it and what does it look like in dogs? In short, it causes pain and stiffness in the joints. It is important to recognize and treat arthritis in your dog to improve their quality of life, just as you would with yourself. In this blog, we will discuss what arthritis in dogs is, how to recognize it, and how to deal with it to ensure that your four-legged friend still has a great and as pain-free life as possible.

What is Canine Arthritis?

Canine arthritis, also known as arthritis, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in your dog’s joints, making it harder for them to do activities like run and jump, and in later stages, even just get up from sleeping and walk. It’s like having to constantly walk around with an injury that keeps you from doing your daily activities.

There are different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common. This occurs when the cartilage in the joints wears down, causing bones to rub against each other. The cartilage is basically a kind of natural 'cushion' between the bones that ensures that everything moves smoothly and most importantly without pain.

What can cause arthritis:

• Age: Older dogs are at higher risk and large dogs in particular are likely to experience it at some point in their lives
• Overweight: Extra weight puts strain on the joints and significantly increases the risk of dying at an earlier age. Weight management is therefore extremely important!
• Certain breeds: Some breeds are naturally more prone to arthritis, especially larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and more. However, English Bulldogs and Pugs also have a genetic predisposition.
• Joint injuries: Previous injuries can lead to arthritis if not treated properly.

How to recognize dog arthritis

To ensure that you can take action as quickly as possible to help your dog, it is helpful to know the signs and symptoms of arthritis in dogs. Here are some common signs that may indicate this condition:

• Limping or stiffness: Especially after a long rest or in the morning after sleeping, the joints have to get going again. This is especially noticeable in how smoothly your dog gets up after lying down.
• Less active: Your dog may be less likely to want to play or go for walks, as long walks can cause pain
• Pain Reaction: Your dog may whine or growl when their paws and hip or shoulder joints are touched because they are sensitive
• Changes in behavior: He may become more irritable or withdrawn.
• Weight gain: General lack of exercise can cause your dog to gain weight, which can be both a sign and an additional cause of arthritis

If you notice these signs in your dog, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment. Prevention and immediate treatment is better than having to reclaim ground.

Diagnosing Canine Arthritis

If you suspect your dog has arthritis, it is important to consult a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. The veterinarian will perform a physical examination and may take x-rays to assess the condition of the joints. An accurate diagnosis is essential to finding the best treatment for your dog.

Treatment Options for Canine Arthritis

Fortunately, there are several treatment options to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in dogs:

• Medication: Your vet may prescribe pain relievers or anti-inflammatories to help your dog.
• Nutritional Supplements: Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin can help maintain healthy joints and in many cases even significantly improve the situation!
• Diet: Making improvements to your dog's diet can also make big changes by ensuring they are getting the right nutrients
• Alternative Therapies: If other methods aren't helping enough and your dog is in a more advanced stage, consider physical therapy, acupuncture or massage to help reduce pain and stiffness.
• Special braces: You also have special braces for dogs that can help and support well if they suffer from their joints. If your dog is in a further stage of arthritis, this is certainly an option to look into.

It is important to discuss with your vet which treatment is best for your dog, because every dog ​​is different!

Lifestyle Changes to Help with Arthritis

In addition to medical treatments, these lifestyle changes are very important to help manage arthritis in dogs:

• Weight Management: Keep your dog at a healthy weight to reduce stress on their joints, as they gain weight there is increasing pressure on their bones so it is essential that they maintain a healthy weight to prevent the condition from getting worse.
• Regular, gentle exercise: Walks and gentle exercise will keep your dog active without putting too much strain on their joints. Things like running and jumping are actually discouraged as they can make the pain and aggravation worse, but if you have a very busy and enthusiastic dog this can be difficult. In this case, make sure they do this as little as possible and in a controlled environment to reduce the impact.
• Comfortable sleeping places: Provide an orthopedic bed that provides support to the joints, this can have a huge impact on the healing processes while resting and ensure that they wake up a lot less stiff than with a normal bed

Pain Relief Tips for Dog Arthritis

There are several ways you can help your dog relieve the pain of arthritis:

• Heat therapy: Heat compresses applied to the joints can relieve pain and reduce stiffness.
• Orthopedic Beds: A comfortable bed that provides support can help reduce pressure on your joints.
• Gentle massage: A gentle massage can improve blood circulation and reduce tension.
• Tools: Tools such as ramps or harnesses can make your dog's life easier.
• Supplements: these provide relaxation and therefore less pain
• Medication: if the pain is really bad, painkillers may be a good option

Preventing Canine Arthritis

While it's not always possible to prevent arthritis, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Keep your dog at a healthy weight: This reduces stress on the joints.
• Get regular exercise: This helps keep joints flexible and muscles strong.
• Ensure a balanced diet: A healthy diet supports the joints and cartilage.
• Limit injuries: Watch out for accidents and avoid heavy stress on the joints from things like jumping from heights, climbing stairs (down stairs) in large dogs
• Provide preventative supplementation with their diet to ensure you stay ahead of arthritis, especially if you have a breed that is genetically predisposed to arthritis.

It is important to be alert to the signs of arthritis in your dog and take action to improve his quality of life. With the right treatment, lifestyle changes, and pain relief options, you can help your dog feel more comfortable and still have a great life!

Want to learn more about products that can help manage your dog’s arthritis? Check out Ruffy.co.uk for our range of orthopedic beds and other pain relief aids. Sign up for our newsletter for more dog care tips and advice!