You know your dog has a lot of love for you. But did you know that he or she also has a lot of love for being able to run, jump, and play? It’s true. Dogs love to move around, and they love doing it with you. But as you’ve probably noticed, your dog’s joints aren’t always up to the task of keeping up with his or her youthful enthusiasm.
In fact, about 90% of dogs older than five years in the United States have osteoarthritis, which causes decreased range of motion, difficulties climbing and jumping, decreased physical activity, and a worse quality of life.
That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on your dog’s joint health. If you know what signs to look out for, you’ll be able to treat them sooner rather than later and prevent them from developing into something more serious that could require surgery.
If your dog experiences some joint health issue, what can you do? Here are three tips for making it easier for you and your dog to maintain his or her joint health:
Medicines for Joint Health
There are two types of medications that can help treat joint pain: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly known as corticosteroids, and glucosamine supplements.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which can cause inflammation and pain. They’re the most common form of medication prescribed for dogs with arthritis. One effective NSAID is Previcox. Previcox for dogs helps to reduce inflammation and pain caused by arthritis in your dog’s joints. This medication can also help to reduce stiffness and improve mobility in dogs with hip dysplasia or other forms of joint disease.
Medicines for joint health can help keep your dog’s joints lubricated and flexible, which will make it easier for them to move around and play.
However, you should not give any human medicines or supplements without first consulting with your veterinarian. Many medications contain chemicals that can be toxic to dogs if given at too high concentrations or in combination with other drugs or supplements; there may also be ingredients listed on the label that could cause serious side effects if ingested by humans as well as dogs.
Give them the Right Food
Food is an important part of your dog’s health. Your dog’s joints are made up of cartilage, which is a soft tissue that provides cushioning for their bones. This makes it easier for them to move around and play. The problem is that this type of tissue does not heal well when damaged by disease or injury.
When you feed your dog high-quality food, the nutrients in the food will help support their joints and keep them healthy. The best way to do this is by feeding them dry kibble or canned food that contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These two ingredients help promote joint health in dogs as well as humans.
You can also give additional supplements if your vet recommends them for your specific breed or size of the dog. Some supplements may include antioxidants like vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, and antioxidants like curcumin powder (found in turmeric). These types of supplements help reduce inflammation while improving mobility in older dogs who are at risk for developing arthritis due to age-related changes within their bodies over time.
Keep Your Dog at a Healthy Weight
Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the best ways to maintain the health of your dog’s joints. However, the growing prevalence of obesity in dogs could make them more vulnerable to joint health problems. In a recent survey, as much as 39% of dog owners and 45% of cat owners believe their pet is obese or overweight. In contrast, multiple studies have found that over 50% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese.
A study revealed that dogs who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for developing joint problems as they age. This is because being overweight can cause additional stress on their joints, which can lead to inflammation and pain. In addition, having extra weight on their bodies puts more pressure on their bones and joints, which can cause arthritis.
The extra weight puts pressure on the joints and makes it more difficult for them to function properly. Dogs naturally want to be active, but if they are overweight, they will have more trouble doing so. To help keep your dog at a healthy weight, feed him or her a high-quality diet and make sure they get plenty of exercise.
Wrapping Up
It’s important to keep your dog’s joints healthy, and it’s especially important when they’re older. By making sure your dog gets the right medicine, nutrition, and exercise, you can help them live a long and happy life. This will also make it easier on you because you won’t have to deal with any joint problems in the future.
