What can I give my dog for joint pain?
Are you looking for the best joint pain relief for dogs?
By the time a dog reaches the age of eight, he has an 80% chance of developing arthritis, and 20% of dogs have symptoms of the disease by the age of one.
Of course, there are a variety of causes for your dog’s joint discomfort.
They might be suffering from an ailment, an infection, or a sickness, or maybe they’re starting to feel the pains of old age….or simply just overweight!
How can you tell if your dog is in pain?
If you’ve noticed that your dog isn’t acting quite normally lately, it’s possible that one of the following could be a symptom of chronic joint discomfort:
VIDEO: How to tell if your dog has arthritis
Signs to look for
- stiffness
- limping/lameness (after a walk)
- Increased irritability
- Lagging behind on walks
- Slower to get up in the morning
- Sleeping more
- Excessive licking of a sore joint
- Swollen joints
If your dog has any of these symptoms, it’s critical to have him examined by a veterinarian immediately, especially if they appear suddenly or the dog is younger than average to rule out injury or bone problems.
Table of Contents
Dog Arthritis Symptoms
Any dog can develop arthritis, but it is more common in older dogs as well as large breeds, such as:
- German Shepherds
- Rottweillers,
- Labradors,
- Rottweilers,
- Golden retrievers
- DobermanPinschers
- Bernese mountain dogs and Great Danes.
How joints deteriorate
As dogs get older, the cartilage surfaces of their joints begin to thin, and cartilage cells die.
When the cells die, they release enzymes that cause inflammation of the joint capsule and release excessive joint fluid.
Extra bony growths (osteophytes) can develop. With severe cartilage thinning, the normal joint space narrows, and the bone beneath the cartilage deteriorates. A lot of these changes are visible on X-ray
So, what causes these joint problems in dogs? Typically, joint problems in dogs fall into two major categories: developmental and degenerative.
Developmental occurs when the joint or ligament does not develop correctly causing it to not function as intended.
Degenerative, on the other hand, causes the ligaments around your dog’s joints to “degenerate” (or regress) over time.
Similar to humans, your dog’s joints need to be properly cared for (proper nutrition, stretching, proper exercise, etc.,) or they can start to break down and cause discomfort for your dog.
When it comes to pain relief, the best results are achieved by working with your vet to develop a plan tailored to help with your dog’s specific issues.
Best Joint Supplement for Dogs
Most hip and joint supplements rely on manufactured ingredients that “mimic” the 4 main building blocks found in joints- Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Hyaluronic acid, and Collagen.
But in this formula, a lot of the ingredients never get absorbed and into the actual joints.
Rocket Dog’s Canine Cush is the first joint supplement product with FOUR formulas that reduces pain, inflammation & Anxiety and delivers the FOUR MAIN building blocks directly to the joints.
Best Joint Pain Relief for Dogs
Muscle, bone and joint issues are very common in horses and dogs, that’s why there are thousands of animal supplements on the market!
Canine Cush is an all-natural way to maintain joint function and health to support mobility by providing the building blocks for synovial fluid, cartilage, and connective tissues.
Many hip and joint supplements on the market use synthetic building blocks found in joints with low bioavailability.
Through ingredient research from top scientists in the industry, ROCKET DOG developed a product that incorporates natural building block ingredients for improved availability to the target joints.
This is an All-natural supplement to support joint health and normal inflammatory processes, developed by veterinarians using patented formulas for bioavailability.
Fast Acting Joint Pain relief for Dogs
ROCKET DOG Canine Cush Hip & Joint Chews
”This is an all-natural method to relieve inflammation, pain, and discomfort in dogs that works better than pharmaceuticals”!
The product formulation is headed by Dr. Rob Franklin, DVM, DACVIM, and supported by a team of PhD Nutritionists and leading University Science & Nutrition Centers. The average research & development time is between 2 to 3 years before a new product is ready. Before being released to market, it is field tested at premier veterinary clinics around the country.
Dog Joint Pain Relief Home Remedies
Here are a few arthritis & joint treatment options that have been discovered to be effective, ranging from cutting edge, to holistic, to more conventional medicines:
Massages & Hydrotherapy for dogs
The use of water in hydrotherapy helps to heal injuries and alleviate pain in dogs.
It’s especially useful for dogs who have torn ACLs, hip dysplasias, degenerative joint disease, arthritis, or limb loss.
The buoyancy, resistance, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure of water are used in hydrotherapy to assist dogs with healing injuries.
This therapy works since you offer weightless physical treatment while also eliminating the extra pressure of gravity.
The strain on your dog’s joints diminishes as their buoyancy in water allows them to heal from illness. This therapy’s capacity to reduce bodily swelling makes it a natural anti-inflammatory too.
Certified canine massage therapists are available in most areas of the country. Hydrotherapy can be a useful exercise that doesn’t put too much strain on joints. Your vet will be able to advise an appropriate hydrotherapy center. Alternative veterinary practitioners sometimes prescribe acupuncture too.
Accupuncture for Dogs
Veterinarians are increasingly turning to ancient medicine to help their patients.
Using centuries-old approaches of acupuncture and acupressure, veterinarians may improve conventional veterinary care while also benefitting the canine population.
Acupuncture needles are inserted into the dog’s body at specific points, called acupuncture points, where nerves and blood vessels converge.
These sites are known as meridians, which are energy pathways that distribute energy throughout the dog’s tissues.
Acupuncture needles are inserted at specific points along the meridians.
These locations, which have been identified, promote blood circulation and aid in the healing process by enhancing it.
Acupuncture also activates the nervous system and increases the production of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving chemicals to relieve a dog’s suffering.
Best supplements for dogs
Glucosamine and chondroitin, MSM,and green lipid mussels are all popular alternative therapies.
They have been found to reduce inflammation and aid cartilage healing in some studies.
They may also assist protect and lubricate existing cartilage by inhibiting the breakdown of collagen fibers within it.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) have also been proven to help dogs with arthritis fight inflammation [1]
Omega-3 fatty acids’ anti-inflammatory properties have been demonstrated in research. Many veterinarians and pet owners consider these medicines beneficial.
Dog Joint Pain CBD
Many scientists have vouched for CBD’s potential in treating chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments.
There are many ongoing studies being done at a few different veterinary colleges[2], the results of some of the clinical studies have now been published, looking quite encouraging.
According to the AKC( American Kennel Club), there has been a breakthrough in CBD clinical trials, with further evidence from dog owners too, suggesting it can treat pain, especially neuropathic pain, as well as helping to control seizures [3]
Also thanks to The American Veterinary Medical Association we now have legitimate and valid scientific data to show that, at least the CBD formula they tested, does in fact provide significant pain relief to dogs with osteoarthritis [4]
To find out how CBD can help with your dogs particular health condition. Read our expert guides on:
Exercise tips for dogs with Arthritis
Regardless of a dog’s age or the severity of her arthritis, maintaining mobility through reasonable exercise is essential.
A younger dog with mild early arthritis can and should go for walks more frequently than an older dog with severe cartilage erosion.
Arthritic dogs will improve from increased activity. Controlled exercise is preferable to an hour spent running after a ball or playing fetch.
Things to consider when exercising your dog
- When it comes to exercising arthritic pets, ‘little and often’ is the way to go. Rather of one long walk, they may prefer several short walks each day.
- Keep their activity routine as constant as possible, avoiding short excursions on weekdays and a large walk on the weekend.
- We must also consider the terrain on which we ask our arthritic pets to walk, as well as the distance they will have to walk. Sand, gravel, and boulders beneathfoot may cause an unsteady gait and be particularly difficult to negotiate if your dog is attempting to guard injured joints while walking.
- We should also consider the slope they are walking on; going up and down steep hills puts a lot of strain on downhill joints, which may be uncomfortable for them. A grassy field is the ideal surface for an arthritic dog because it is flat, smooth, and even.
Pharmaceuticals for dogs
Anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and pain-relieving medications such as Rimadyl, Previcox, and Tramadol can often be purchased at a local pharmacy at a lower price.
Pharmacies frequently have lower costs than buying medicines from your veterinarian.
Drugs are not advised for long-term use in dogs because it has a greater propensity to adverse effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding.
All medicines have the potential to cause negative effects, regardless of their effectiveness in pain relief and inflammation reduction. Natural treatments are increasingly popular among pet owners concerned about administering medication to their animals.
CBD has shown some very encouraging outcomes in studies on arthritis. Check out our blog on The Best CBD for Dogs with Arthritis.
What to do next ?
Did you know that a dog’s gut health has a significant influence on its overall health?
Commercial dog foods are treated at high temperatures during the manufacturing process.
This in turn destroys many of the vitamins and minerals your dog needs from the food.
If you are feeding your dog commercial dog food, make sure he is getting the necessary supplements he needs to thrive!
A recent scientific study reports that 70% to 80% of all illness begins in the gastrointestinal tract! discover why this supplement is vital for your dog’s immune system and overall health – read our blog on: The Best Probiotic for Dogs!
References:
- vcahospitals.com
- Rocketanimalhealth.com
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-for-dog-seizures/
- bluecross.org
- 4pawshydrotherapy.com
- ncbi.nih.gov
- https://www.ahvma.org/wp-content/uploads/Use-of-Cannabidiol-Rich-Hemp-Oil-Sample-Article.pdf
