When Arthritis Strikes Your Pooch

by Christina Lyttle

Were you of the notion that the painstaking ailment of arthritis occurs to human beings only? Have you been neglecting the persistent pain in the limb that your pet dog is suffering from, thinking it’s a mere pull? Beware, the ache might not be so insignificant after all and you need to check your pooch for any incidents of arthritis before it gets too late to act. Contrary to common belief, arthritis occurs in adult dogs almost as commonly as it does human beings and therefore, it is essential to know the ways to care for your doggie which is crucial in order to see him pouncing and frolicking again. Here are some things you need to keep in mind if the vet diagnoses your dog as suffering from arthritis:

Regular Exercising
Painful as it may appear, it is still imperative that your dog undergoes its regular regime of exercises, although he might not be able to do it the same way he would do in normal circumstances. Exercising with arthritis causes a lot a pain as the disease affects the joints and your dog might be reluctant at first to even get up from his place. However, you need to gently compel him to go for shorter walks at least two times a day in order to space out the period and thereby causing as less stress as possible to the limbs.

Proffering Nutritional Supplements
In order to alleviate the excruciating pain of arthritis in your dog, you can get hold of some of the nutritional supplements that are available aplenty in the market or at the pet stores. These supplements embrace chondroitin, glucosamine and fish oil rich in Omega 3 and come in the form of either capsules or powder to be chosen according to your convenience.

Maintaining the Right Weight
As with human beings, dogs which tend to be bulky and heavy in weight are more vulnerable to suffer from arthritis. Therefore, paying attention to the maintenance of the right body weight of your dog is extremely important to help it recuperate faster. Your vet will probably guide you on ways to keep up a healthy weight balance for your dog by following a specific diet dog formula.

Gentle Massages
When chronic arthritis strikes dogs, massaging the affected joints and limbs often help ameliorate the pains to a great extent. In order to massage your dog, choose a specific time, preferably just before he goes to bed and let him relax by lying down on his couch or bed. With genteel strokes in kneading motion, massage the joint or joints which is suffering from the pain. Applying a hot bag for heating up the particular place also proves beneficial.

Getting home a Proper Couch
Finally, just as you would not feel comfortable sleeping in a downy, cushiony bed which digs down as soon as you lie on it if you were to suffer from joint pains, your dog too needs a bed that is meant for arthritis solely. Such beds are devised in the fashion of spreading the weight of the whole body in an even, smooth manner so as to attenuate the pressure at the joints.

Your dog is your best friend and you surely would not like to see him in pain. Therefore, act when there is time still and never neglect sufferings like arthritis as it gets worse if not attended to at the right juncture.

Christina Lyttle is a pet lover and a work-at-home mom. She recommends that you order discount pet supplies online to save huge bucks.