Joint problems in elderly dogs

Joint problems can be quite common in dogs of any breed or age, but they are much more likely to develop in dogs as they grow into their senior years. While many dog owners may casually interpret this as their dog slowing down, this process could much more likely be caused by pain in a dog’s joints than by old age on its own.

For every dog owner, if your dog’s muzzle is getting gray and arthritis pain is threatening to steal the joy from those golden years, it is advisable you ensure your home is safe and comfortable for your elderly dog, especially if it has mobility challenges.

Most dogs are great at concealing their age. However, as they develop arthritis and their mobility changes, it becomes more apparent that the years are taking a toll on them.

How to recognize arthritis in senior dogs

As arthritis progresses in senior dogs, some of them will have a harder time standing up from a lying position or jumping up into the car or onto the bed. Others may appear stiff, act sore, or begin limping when they walk.

If your dog is in its golden years, there are simple steps you can take at home to give the canine gifts of mobility, comfort, and more good days. If your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with age-related joint problems, don’t despair because there are countless ways to ensure joint support for dogs at home.

Ways to help your elderly dog with joint problems

Here are some beneficial ways to provide joint pain relief for your senior dog:

• Creating a prescription plan and tracking progress

Based on your dog’s exam findings and medical history, your veterinarian may prescribe certain joint meds for dogs to alleviate your senior dog’s pain and inflammation.

These joint pills for dogs may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioid medications, muscle relaxants, or medications to reduce nerve pain.

For the prescribed joint medication for dogs to work effectively, you will need to stick to the plan developed together with your veterinarian. This may entail your dogs taking the medications on a daily or twice-daily basis for an extended period of time.Other medications might be used on an as-needed basis, as will be advised by your veterinarian.

When creating the medication plan for your dog, understand that getting your dog to take the prescription medications will not be a walk in the park. Use creative ways to encourage your four-legged family member to take the prescribed joint medication for dogs and keep your veterinarian updated on how the dog is doing.

If your dog has arthritis, a word of caution about pain medications: never give any human pain medications to your dog unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Dog-specific NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for arthritic dogs because they effectively reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain.

• Using joint supplements

As your dog ages or joint mechanics change due to injuries, the canine’s cartilage becomes worn out. Over time, this degenerative process will lead to arthritis, and the dog’s joints will become inflamed and painful. Joint supplements can help alleviate the dog’s inflammation and pain.

The best joint supplement for dogs usually contains a variety of compounds proven to be effective in addressing arthritic changes in the dog from different angles. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), turmeric or curcumin, hyaluronic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.

• Keeping tabs on your dog’s diet

Diet plays a huge role in a senior dog’s joint health. Paying attention to how much and what kind of food your dog is eating can be a simple way to help an elderly dog with joint problems at home. This entails feeding the dog the right amount of food and selecting the correct kind of food.

• Moderate exercises

Exercise is important for all dogs, regardless of their weight or age. Exercise your elderly dog in moderation so that it becomes a fun way to help the dog get comfort from the joint problems it may be experiencing.

• Helping the dog get a grip

It will be beneficial to make sure you keep your dog’s nails clipped. That is because long nails change the mechanics of the dog’s foot and can make walking quite difficult and sometimes even painful.

Always look out for a creative hack to keep your senior dog at home

Be on the lookout for innovative ways to make your dog comfortable. You can enroll in a community of dog owners where you can learn about how fellow dog owners are creating interesting ways to keep their senior dogs happy at home. It will also be great to keep tabs on what new developments exist from dog meds suppliers and veterinarians, such as Antinol U.S. That is because dog joint support is one of their core businesses, which means they spent incredible amounts of time undertaking research on what would help dogs with joint pain.