There are two common types of dog arthritis. These types are known as degenerative and inflammatory. They are diagnosed by their causes, and both types of arthritis have basically identical symptoms. There are a number of causes of arthritis in dogs. Some common causes of arthritis include poor nutrition, obesity, trauma to the bones or joins and malformation of the dog’s bone structure.

Symptoms Of Arthritis

Weight gain/loss – Your dog may lose or gain weight when he has arthritis. He will likely sleep more than play and lose interest in activities, hence, he may gain some weight. On the other hand, he may be in pain from bending down to eat his food, so he may lose weight. Dogs may become depressed when dealing with arthritis, and this is a common cause of under/overeating.

Decreased interest in activity – Since your dog is in a significant about of pain, he will likely not become very excited to play and run around. Your dog may want to stop and turn around during a routine walk. Even playtime may seem like a huge effort when your dog has arthritis.

Difficulty sitting or standing – Your dog may find it hard to get up and may not move right away. The first few steps may be painful and appear stiff. He may become uncomfortable while sitting or standing and shift around a lot.

Hesitancy to jump or climb stairs – Jumping up on the couch for a cuddle may not be possible when your dog is suffering from arthritis. You may notice your dog does not want to jump up and sit with you as much anymore, and will choose to rest on the floor instead. He may also be hesitant to climb any stairs around the house as well.

Sleeping often – Lethargy is very common with arthritis. Your dog may not want to move around at all, so he will sleep to ease the pain in his joints.

Favoring a limb – This is known as limb lameness, and is a common symptom of canine arthritis. It may come and go, and can affect different legs at a time. Your dog may even limp.

Mood swings – Your dog may not want to play or listen when he is called. Because of the pain, he may become easily irritated if he is forced into any activity. Keep an eye out for noises when you touch him as well.

Home Remedies For Arthritis

Control Their Weight. A healthy diet is extremely important for your dog during arthritis. Getting rid of excess weight is beneficial for your dog, as he won’t have to carry any more weight around on his joints. Fat tissues secrete hormones that cause pain.

Apply Heat on Sore Joints. Applying a warm compress to your dog’s joints will help to ease the pain. Heat will penetrate deep into the muscle to the joint for relief. Keep in mind your dog cannot get up fast, so avoid burning him with a water bottle that’s too hot.

Light Exercise. Exercise should be regular, but not too strenuous. If your dog wants to turn and go back home after a short walk, let him. The key is constant exercise, but keeping it light and short. Avoid walking when it is too cold out, as the joints will be especially sore. Treadmills are great when supervised, and swimming is a great form of exercise as well.

Keep Them Warm and Comfortable. This is especially important on cold or wet days. Cold weather may cause the joints to be especially stiff or swollen. Add an extra blanket to his bed or let him sleep inside the house. Adding an extra pillow will also help keep him comfortable and ease pain in the joints.

Raise Food and Water Dishes. This is especially important if your dog has arthritis in the neck or shoulders. Bending down may cause tension and pain, so raising his food and water dishes will help him to eat pain free. You may notice a weight loss during arthritis, and the pain to eat may be the source of this.

Slip-Free Floors. Your dog may struggle when walking on hard wood floors. If you notice this, consider getting a rug for common areas he plays or rests. Using different cleaning products on the floors may also help with slipping paws.

Massage and Acupuncture Therapy. You can do massages at home or take your dog to a professional. Massages and acupuncture provide relief for sore, inflamed joints and will help to loosen these areas up.

Always talk to your veterinarian about treatment options and home remedy options for your dog’s specific case of arthritis. For more information about dog arthritis causes, treatment options and more, please visit www.dogarthritisresource.com

Author bio: Ciara is a lover of all things dog, especially small ones! She own a Chihuahua-Pomeranian cross named Bijou– her little ball of energy always keeping her busy. A few years back Bijou got very sick with an ear infection, and ever since, Ciara has been interested in all areas of dog health.

Having a healthy dog can mean that your dog is more active and in all probability, require less visits to the vet. Ensuring that your dog has quality food, can in the long-term save you money, and mean that you have a more enjoyable relationship with a happy pet. Burns dog food is a brand that is known for providing excellent dog food and has been doing so for over 40 years. Eukanuba dog food is highly nutritious and comes in both dry and wet varieties.

Whether you choose a dry or wet dog food is an important decision. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and you should note them carefully. Burns dog food comes in both forms and like all brands, has the ingredients and nutritional values printed on the packs just like human foods.

The main advantage of dry food for the pet owner is that it is generally the cheaper option and is much more convenient. All you have to do is pour a bowlful of food and put the carton back in the cupboard. Wet food is more expensive and also requires more effort from the pet owner.

For the dog however there are some serious advantages of using wet food. For one, wet food has more fresh protein compared to dry food. Canned dog food is up to 50% protein whereas dry food can contain as little as 18% but rarely goes above 30%. Most notably there is fewer carbohydrates in canned food and carbohydrates are not very beneficial when in high quantities.

In order to preserve dry food, synthetic preservatives are used. With wet food there is an airtight package used which means that the oils and fats within the meat do not go off. An added benefit for your dog’s health is that there are no artificial colourings and flavourings used in almost all wet foods.

On a much more basic level, wet food contains much more water that makes it more appetising and palatable for your pets and they will appreciate being able to eat it. Some people find that their dog will refuse to eat dry food at certain times. Introducing them to a diet of wet food, even temporarily, can be a good way to get them to start eating again. When feeding on wet food, the moisture content might mean the dog feels fuller more quickly than when they eat dry food. This is simply because the moisture helps occupy more space in the dog’s stomach.

Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of dog food. If you lead a very busy life and do not have the money to spend on wet food, then dry food is a great alternative.

Before ordering a dog bed, check the product sizes and make sure the bed will fit your dog’s body comfortably. The next thing to do is to decide on the shape and features you want for your dog’s bed. They come in snuggly plush ovals with sides, plush rectangular beds with rolled edges and fluffy square pillows. Choose the one that best suits your dog’s sleeping habits.

If you have an older pet that is prone to fall off the bed, then get them one with the deep sides. Some dogs can become incontinent, just like humans, as they get older. These dogs can benefit from a choice of waterproof dog beds. As your dog gets older they may begin to have the same arthritis and painful joint diseases that humans have. A veterinary pet bed with an orthopaedic mattress, or memory foam mattress, is an excellent aid for the old or infirm dog. You might also consider a bed that does not sit right on the floor, to avoid cold drafts in winter that can aggravate such conditions. Warm Sherpa fleece and waterproofing; that is a pretty good combination to see your older dog right on through another winter.
When you choose a new dog bed for your pet, why not get a matching blanket? Even if your dog does not like to be covered up, the blanket will protect the bed from dirt and stains. It will also give you a convenient pad for your dog to use on the couch or in the bed with you. The blanket is easier to wash and will protect the surface it is placed on. The blanket is far easier to wash than the entire bed. Blankets also come in waterproof models that can allow your older pet to enjoy some snuggle time with you.
You might also want to invest in some seat covers, to protect your auto upholstery when your dog goes for a ride. Seat covers can eliminate the mud and hair that a dog inevitably brings into the car. These covers are also great on the sofa, if your dog tends to sit there, as well. These covers are machine washable, and easy to install and remove. Dogs do get cold, so look out for winter dog coats to keep your dog warm when you go for walks or when it is not convenient to use their blanket. Dogs appreciate it when you care for them and dogs do love their dog beds!