Dog Care Advisor

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In much the same way that our joints are affected by the wear and tear of daily life so are the joints of our dogs. Unfortunately, dogs are not immune to arthritis problems.

Dogs, along with many other animals, have a very similar muscular and skeletal system to our own and they are therefore prone to similar health conditions.

If you have experienced the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis you will have sympathy for your dog when he starts limping as a result of the discomfort caused by arthritis in his joints.

But, what can you do to help your dog when it is suffering?

First check your dog’s weight. When an animal is carrying excess weight additional stresses are placed on all the joints of the skeleton and the rate of wear and tear on those joints increases, hastening the onset of arthritis and worsening the symptoms.

By keeping your dog at a healthy weight, you can decrease his chances of developing arthritis later in life and also stop the condition worsening if it has already occurred.

If an animal suffers an injury to a joint, it is going to be more at risk of developing arthritis at that point. The same can be said of humans. Injuries and accidents can mean that humans and dogs are unable to use a particular limb or joint properly, this causes wear and tear in the muscles and joints that are used to compensate and as these places aren’t designed to be used in this way, there is a cost - arthritis.

Accidents and injuries can also cause damage to joints that never properly heals, encouraging arthritis to develop.

So, if your dog is injured encourage them to rest until completely well. You may need to use a crate or pen to achieve this but if the area of the injury is given the best chance of healing fully, this will minimise the possibility of arthritis developing in the future. Confinement will also mean that other areas of the dog’s skeleton are not going to be damaged through being used in an inappropriate manner.

Poor nutrition can also lead to arthritis. We all need a well-balanced diet with the proper amounts of nutrients to keep our bones, muscles and tissues strong and healthy. Dogs are no different in this respect. Prolonged poor nutrition can cause the bones and muscles to weaken and degenerate and inflammation in the joints develops as the muscles are no longer able to support the skeleton effectively.

Do ensure your dog is fed a healthy balanced diet that contains all the nutrients required for the growth and maintenance of a strong muscular-skeletal system.

Whilst dogs love to be out and will never turn down the opportunity for a run, too much physical activity without insufficient rest is another cause of arthritis. Dogs are naturally active but overworking the muscles can cause strain on the joints and arthritis results.

Sometimes old age is the cause of arthritis. When your dog has led an active life it’s not altogether surprising that he feels the aches and pains of old age. Whilst it is tempting to leave elderly dogs to sleep and rest all day, this can lead to a stiffening of the joints so do encourage your dog to take light exercise - don’t overdo it, but do get your pet moving everyday.

Whilst arthritis is a condition that we accept as being a part of life in later years, there is much that can be done to keep your dog comfortable. Your veterinarian will be able to advise on appropriate treatments and you may also want to explore nutritional supplements and alternative therapies to ease the symptoms of arthritis.

To stay fit, healthy, happy and strong, a dog needs good food and regular exercise, just as humans do.

Ours dogs are an important part of our family life and they rely on us understanding their needs, as they cannot talk to us.

Fortunately, dogs are resilient but they still do need proper care and attention which includes regular exercise and good food.

One of the benefits of owning a dog is knowing that they need exercise makes us get out and exercise too. So you could say that owning a dog actually keeps humans healthier! Certainly, owning a well-trained dog has been credited with keeping us a lot happier.

All a dog needs to be happy and content is to understand the rules, and good training ensures this is covered; adequate shelter; access to fresh water; good food and regular exercise. It’s not much to ask.

Just as the wrong foods can be damaging for our health. There are certain foods which are not good for our dogs. Grapes and chocolate spring to mind as obvious culprits.

I’ll be writing a more detailed article on dangerous foods for dogs in the near future.