How to Treat Arthritis in Dogs!

You know that your dog aging is inevitable but what if your pet develops arthritis?

It is a very common problem for senior dogs but how do you treat arthritis in dogs? It is difficult to watch your dog deal with this incredibly painful ailment. Arthritis in dogs can also prevent your pup’s ability to move easily. The good news is you can try different natural remedies to help treat your dog’s arthritis and alleviate their pain.

Try to help keep your dogs weight in check

No matter how old your dog is, you want them to be at a healthy weight. If your pup puts on extra weight that can put more strain on their joints and make their arthritis pain even worst. You should talk to your vet regarding meal plans to help your senior dog maintain a healthy weight. You can even use a meal delivery service like NomNomNow (for a limited time, you can get 30% off, just click here). We also recommend adding pumpkin into your dog’s diet. It's low in calories, filled with nutrients, and will help your dog feel full.

Keep your dog active with gentle exercise

Regular exercise is a great way to treat arthritis in dogs. Without getting the proper exercise your poor dog will get stiff joints that will aggravate their arthritis further. Try talking short walks that are low-impact to keep your dog moving.

Ramps & pet steps 

It can be extremely painful for your dog to get onto a bed or in and out of cars. You can help to alleviate your dog’s trouble with ramps or pet steps. There are many local companies in both Canada and the US building hand-made ramps, such as Hampton Bay Pet Steps! We also love the Canadian-based company Happy Bandit Pet Solutions. They even have a special ramp designed specifically for smaller dogs such as dachshunds!

CBD Oil 

The hype about CBD Oil is true. It can be a great solution to help relieve your dog’s arthritis pain. CBD has been found to reduce inflammation which in return can give your dog the pain relief they need. Taking CBD can also encourage your dog to stay active building their muscles to naturally strengthen any problem areas. We love Honest Paws CBD oil for dogs, which is 100% natural and has been lab-tested to ensure that it is safe for your pets to use. Learn more about what CBD is and how it can help your dog here.

Give your dog a massage

We all love a good massage so why not try giving your dog one? Massage not only helps ease sore muscles but can also help lower blood pressure while reducing stress for both you and your pup! You will be able to check in with your dog and note any new lumps or sore spots. Check out our how to massage your dog that illustrates four massage techniques to help rejuvenate your dog!

Acupuncture for dogs

We know what you are thinking–acupuncture for dogs? Is that even a thing? Yes, it is! Acupuncture produces a healing response in dogs by enhancing blood circulation and stimulates the body’s natural release of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory hormones. More pet parents are trying acupuncture for their pets, including our Founder Connie Wilson who tried it for her dog Kaya! Read about her experience here.

Heat can help!

Heating pads are another natural easy solution to help alleviate aches and pains in your dog. Check your local pet store to get your dog a heating pad or you can make a DIY warmer! Simply, fill a cotton tube sock or knee-length sock with four cups of rice and then knot or tie off the end or even stitch it closed. Put it in the microwave for a minute to heat it (just make sure to test it to ensure it is not too hot).

Sleep Like A Log

A good night’s sleep is vital to your dog’s health. We suggest finding a dog bed with memory foam such as P.L.A.Y’s California Dreaming Memory Foam Bed, which is designed specifically for larger dogs. We also love the Isotonic Memory Foam Mattress from Bowsers Pet Products, which can be custom sized to fit for any size dogs.

Try Natural supplements for your dog

Natural supplements can help support your dog’s health and are often prescribed by vets to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of joint damage caused by arthritis. We love the Hip and Joint supplements by Pup Science, this remedy can help reduce and relieve joint pain, as well as improve joint health and prevent more damage. Best of all, these supplements are made from all-natural ingredients including Glucosamine and Chondroitin that help enhance the cartilage between the joints. However, we do recommend that you check with your vet to see which supplements they recommend for your dog.

We hope these natural remedies for how to treat arthritis in dogs helps you and your best friend.