As every dog owner will know, dog joint care should be taken very seriously. As devoted pet owners, we want our furry friends to live long, healthy, and active lives. However, as dogs age, they can develop joint issues that hinder their mobility and quality of life. This is especially true for larger breeds, more prone to developing osteoarthritis – a progressive and degenerative condition affecting their joints.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage and alleviate these joint problems. NutriFlex dog joint care products are scientifically backed and highly recommended by veterinarians. Using these products can help your canine companion stay active and playful for longer.
But what exactly causes joint issues in dogs? And how can you identify and manage them?
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand the signs of joint problems in dogs. If your furry friend is limping, has difficulty standing or jumping, or seems to be in pain, it’s time to take action. By identifying these issues early on, you can initiate appropriate management and help your dog maintain mobility and quality of life.
So, what are some vet-recommended solutions for joint care?
In addition to using NutriFlex joint care products, various veterinarian-recommended solutions can help support your dog’s joint health. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and providing a balanced diet are all crucial for keeping your dog’s joints in tip-top shape.
Joint issues can be a significant challenge for our canine companions, but they don’t have to be a death sentence. With the proper care and management, your furry friend can continue to enjoy an active and fulfilling life. By using NutriFlex joint care products and implementing veterinarian-recommended solutions, you can ensure that your dog stays happy, healthy, and mobile for years to come.
What Exactly Is Canine Osteoarthritis?
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), commonly referred to as osteoarthritis, is a type of joint inflammation that worsens over time due to the loss of cartilage. The cartilage in a healthy joint serves as a cushion that enables smooth movement throughout the joint’s complete range of motion. However, in the cases where osteoarthritis has occurred, this cartilage cushion starts to break down because of numerous factors such as age, injury, repetitive stress, or disease.
The loss of this protective cushion between the bones results in pain, inflammation, a decreased range of motion, and the onset of bone spurs. Whilst any joint in the body can develop osteoarthritis, the condition most usually affects the limbs and the lower spine.
What Are The Risk Factors For Osteoarthritis In Dogs?
Unfortunately, there is no ‘checklist’ to know whether your dog will or can develop osteoarthritis, particularly as they age. However, some main factors can sadly predispose your dog to this condition, where they will require joint care. Examples of these are:
- strong>Size: Joint problems tend to be more common in larger dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden Retrievers.
- Obesity: Overweight dogs are putting more strain on their joints than their thinner counterparts.
- Age: It catches up with all of us sooner or later, mainly middle-aged to senior dogs.
- Activity injuries: Repetitive stress from athletic activities such as agility or diving for the ball or Frisbee in the air.
- Other Injuries: Fractures or ligament tears usually come back to haunt our pets later in life.
- Hip issues: A prior diagnosis of hip dysplasia makes dog joint care paramount.
- Infections: Any issues that affect the joints, such as Lyme Disease.
Improper nutrition: As the saying goes, ‘We Are What We Eat’.
Poor conformation: Conformation is the shape and structure of your dog – how your pup is constructed from the ground up. It’s about the form of different parts of his body, from his head to his tail. It’s about the structure of his legs, paws, shoulders and spine and their relative proportions to one another.
Genetics: If your dog is genetically predisposed to developing osteoarthritis, it is vital to schedule regular visits with your veterinarian and consider providing them with a dog joint supplement as a preventative measure. These will help ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight and active lifestyle, and you can often catch osteoarthritis early before the problem becomes more serious.
What Are The Signs Of Osteoarthritis In Dogs?
Detecting the early stages of osteoarthritis in dogs can be challenging as symptoms are not typically apparent until the affected joint has already deteriorated significantly. Some dogs can also be very tolerant and stoic, hiding their pain until it becomes more than they can take.
As osteoarthritis symptoms may not be evident until the joint is significantly affected, it is crucial to monitor middle-aged and senior dogs and those predisposed to the condition for early signs of joint disease. If symptoms arise, it is essential to initiate a joint care program promptly to prevent further deterioration and get them onto a dog joint care programme immediately. These signs include:
- Signs of limping, stiffness when getting up, or lameness.
- Lethargy. If you notice they are less active than usual, something is untoward.
- Reluctance to run, jump, or play usually signals dog joint issues.
- Weight gain usually happens in older age, but rapid weight gain is a tell-tale sign of dog joint issues.
- Irritability or changes in behaviour can signal pain issues.
- Pain or discomfort when petted or touched.
- Difficulty assuming the appropriate posture for urination, defecation, and accidents inside the house.
- Loss of muscle mass over the spine and limbs.
If I Notice Some Of The Above Signs, What Do I Do Then?
If you suspect your dog shows some of the above symptoms that are potential signs of osteoarthritis, seeking a veterinarian’s evaluation is crucial. During the assessment, the vet will perform a comprehensive physical examination, including palpating your dog’s joints and evaluating its range of motion.
Sometimes, your veterinarian may recommend X-rays of the affected joints to help rule out other conditions that may produce comparable symptoms. This diagnostic tool can also aid in assessing the extent of damage in the joint.
What Is The Best Treatment For Osteoarthritis?
Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is a progressive disease with no cure to date. The best way to prevent the development of osteoarthritis is through diet, exercise, and the use of joint care supplements, which are the most effective approach to promoting and maintaining healthy joints in dogs.
In osteoarthritis cases, the focus is typically on managing pain, decreasing inflammation, improving quality of life, and slowing disease development. Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually best done on several of these fronts, meaning that several different therapies are used simultaneously to achieve the best outcome.
What Do Vets Recommend For Dog Joint Care?
Joint Supplements are often prescribed to improve dog joint care, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of joint damage. Dog joint care supplements are frequently utilised as an early intervention and throughout any progression of osteoarthritis. They are recognised as safe for long-term use and don’t have damaging effects.
We at NutriFlex strive to provide vet-recommended alternative joint-care solutions. Collagen is the most abundant protein in an animal’s body. It acts like scaffolding whilst providing structural support and stability to their muscles, bones, tendons and more. That is why you should add NutriFlex collagen to your furry friend’s daily regimen.
An incredible fact is that a massive amount of 30% of the total proteins in dogs’ bodies are collagen, which has played a massive role in keeping them healthy over the years. The role of collagen helps in many different ways, from maintaining strong muscles to aiding digestion. As our animal companions age, their bodies produce less collagen, inevitably leading to problems such as joint discomfort or mobility issues. Our triple-action joint support supplements will help your beloved fur friend live a comfortable, happy life.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) in NutriFlex products also has exceptional anti-parasitic properties and offers protection against giardia, roundworms, and other nasty intestinal worms.
Dog joint care supplements will also give your dog a much-needed energy boost. When we experience pain, it lowers our energy levels, and the same applies to your pet. When dogs suffer in pain, they may not feel like engaging in physical activity such as running or walking.
Incorporating joint supplements into your dog’s healthcare regimen can help alleviate discomfort, enabling them to return to their usual energy levels and engage in regular physical activity. Dog joint care supplements also contain omega fatty acids that are extremely good for optimal heart health and kidney function.
An animal’s overall health is significantly impacted by the condition of its heart and other vital organs. When these organs function well, it can positively affect the animal’s overall well-being.
Additional Treatments
Your vet might also recommend other treatment possibilities, such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, and changes in their diet. In severe cases, a veterinarian may recommend surgery to remove damaged joint tissue or, in some instances, replace the joint entirely.
Even if you may think your dog’s joint care seems good, maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle is crucial for dogs, particularly those with osteoarthritis. The added pressure of excess weight on damaged joints can accelerate the breakdown of cartilage, causing pain and further damage. Obesity can lead to earlier development of osteoarthritis and many other diseases. If your dog happens to be overweight or obese, your vet will be able to assign a diet and exercise plan that will improve your dog’s health.
Although osteoarthritis is painful, it can be effectively managed with NutriFlex natural joint care solutions. Maintaining your pooch at a healthy weight and identifying signs of joint pain early are crucial steps in preserving your dog’s mobility and quality of life. – then coupled with dog joint care supplements that will slow down and manage inflammation and pain, this will slow down the disease’s progression.
Watching your best friend age is always a difficult process, but there are some things you can do around your house and in collaboration with dog joint care to help dogs manage their pain and improve their joint health. Here are some other valuable tips for relieving your dog’s joint pain and reducing inflammation:
Make a Few Changes Around The Home To Accommodate Dogs With Arthritis
Just making a few basic changes to your home will assist in alleviating your dog’s pain and anxiety.
Non-Slip Rugs: Providing non-slip mats, rugs, and carpets on slippery floors can significantly improve your dog’s mobility and prevent slips and falls around the house. Strategically placing these mats or rugs at the base and top of staircases, as well as near couches and beds, can provide additional support and stability for your dog, reducing the risk of accidents and falls.
This will aid your pet’s ability to be more mobile without impacting heavily on their joints.
Dogs with arthritis and joint pain often develop a fear of walking on slippery surfaces such as tiles or hardwood floors due to their limited mobility and anticipation of pain or discomfort if they fall.
Orthopaedic Dog Beds: Make sure your pet’s happy place to rest and lay down has thick bedding with non-slip mats to prevent pain or injury when they want to get up.
Comfortable dog beds with orthopaedic support that are low to the ground can provide significant relief and comfort to dogs with joint issues or arthritis, allowing them to get back up without struggling and aggravating joint issues further.
Blocked-Off Stairways: Stairways can pose a significant risk to pets with joint problems and should be blocked off with a pet gate to ensure your dog’s safety when you are not supervising them. This is especially important for dogs with mobility issues or arthritis, as stairs can exacerbate joint pain while increasing the risk of falls and accidents.
Dog-Lift Harness: In severe cases of joint problems, a dog-lift harness or sling may be necessary to assist your pet’s mobility around the house safely. These types of harnesses provide proper support and aid in safe movement through certain areas and slippery surfaces for pets severely affected by hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow arthritis.
Consider Secondary Therapies
Alternative therapy treatments can be used in conjunction with dog joint care supplements:
Acupuncture or Hydrotherapy: Acupuncture and hydrotherapy are alternative therapeutic options that can offer significant relief for dogs with joint problems. However, before pursuing these treatments, it is crucial to consult your vet to determine if they suit your pet’s specific condition. While these therapies can benefit some dogs, they may not be appropriate for every pet. Exploring all available treatment options is essential to determine the best course of action for your furry friend.
Moderate Exercise and Physical Therapy: Incorporating moderate exercise and physical therapy into your pet’s routine can significantly improve their mobility and quality of life. For dogs with arthritis, starting with short walks, up to 10 or 15 minutes, a few times per day can effectively manage symptoms. Following a consistent daily routine is essential without incorporating high-impact activities such as running, jumping, or ball chasing, which can exacerbate joint pain and stress. Additional therapeutic options such as massages and physical therapy may also benefit dogs with arthritis.