If your elderly dog has developed a problem with painful arthritis in their joints, then you will be happy to know that there are a variety of different ways you can help alleviate their pain. Since not all dogs respond the same way to medications and treatments, you may need to use a variety of different strategies to obtain the maximum relief for your dog.
When searching for the combination of treatments that works for your elderly dog's pain, follow each of these tips:
Tip: Exercise Your Dog with Short Walks if They are Overweight
If your dog is overweight, then their muscles have to work harder and their joints become overstressed. You can help manage your dog's weight by feeding them an appropriate diet and exercising them on a regular basis. The best exercise for dogs with arthritis is to take them on frequent short walks. Short walks allow your dog's body to recover from the exercise and will not make their condition worse like excessive exercise will.
Tip: Make Minor Modifications to Your Home
You should help your dog avoid increasing their arthritis pain by making some minor modifications to your home environment. For example, if your dog struggles to get into your bed or on a sofa they like to sleep on, then provide them a set of stairs or a small ramp. If your home has wood floors and your dog sometimes gets exciting and slides around on the floor, then you should place area rugs out to keep your dog on solid footing.
Tip: Schedule Your Dog for Pet Acupuncture
Just as acupuncture successfully treats arthritis pain in people, so too does it help with arthritis pain in dogs and other animals. Your veterinarian's office will be able to give you a referral to a skilled pet acupuncturist in your local area if they do not offer this service.
Tip: Talk to Your Veterinarian for a Recommendation for Arthritis Supplements
There are many herbs and minerals that help to reduce arthritis pain and swelling in dogs. Rather than trying random pet supplements, you should speak with your dog's veterinarian for a recommendation. Your dog's vet can steer you towards those supplements that their other dog owners have found to be successful and away from those that have not had positive reports.
Finally, if your dog is showing signs that tell you they are in severe pain, then you must make an appointment with your veterinarian to talk about prescription medications that will help.
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