Arthritis Home Remedies For Dogs
What Home Remedies Are There That Can Treat Arthritis In Dogs?
Arthritis affects dogs just as it affects humans, with around 20 per cent of dogs over the age of seven years having the condition. The joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, and back can all feel the painful effects of arthritis. There are many options for making your dog feel more comfortable and arthritis home remedies for dogs needn’t break the bank.
One of the first things dog owners should try for combating arthritis in their pet is to attempt to remove any excess weight. Many older dogs become heavy and this puts extra strain on joints that cause swelling and pain. Taking your dog for short, yet more frequent, walks is a good start. Stopping treats en-masse is another good move. If you dog is struggling on walks, taking him swimming is the best alternative as it is a non-impact form of exercise.
Dog diet arthritis remedy
Arthritis home remedies for dogs starts with raw meats and vegetables on the diet front. You should make sure that there are no added preservatives and colorings in your dog’s food. A low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet is the way to go as opposed to being heavy on the wheat, corn or soy. Although there are no low-carb dog foods off the shelf, keeping tabs on the amount of grains and dry foods you feed him will help to keep inflammation down.
A cup of chopped up veggies - like celery, cucumber, and carrot - in with their food once a day will work wonders. Be sure not to include onions or mushrooms, however, as these can be toxic for dogs. A tip to make eating easier for your dog is to raise their food and water dishes. Many dogs end up with arthritis in their neck or shoulders and doing this simple thing will help out immensely.
You should also perhaps consider administering supplements for your dog that target reduction of swelling and pain. These consist of glucosamine tablets to help dogs maintain cartilage structure. Some manufactures include chondroitin sulfate in their products to attract water into the cartilage for better lubrication and nutrition. So-called MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is also hugely beneficial as a dietary supplement as it relieves arthritic pain through lowering inflammation. Finally, giving your dog fish oil capsules, which contains Omega 3 fatty acids, helps to regulate pressure in the joints.
Keeping your pet comfortable
Using heat as a therapy for arthritis in dogs works well. Hot water bottles and wrung out moist towels let the heat penetrate into the joints. Using heating pads is not recommended, though, due to possible skin burning. You should also consider keeping your dog warmer at nights, particularly if she sleeps outside and especially during the winter. Simply add some layers where the dog sleeps and make sure the kennel door faces away from the wind. Bringing your pet indoors when it is cold and miserable is a better bet.
Alternative arthritis home remedies for dogs could include herbal and homeopathic products, along with acupuncture, acupressure, and even chiropractic care. A good old fashioned massage around her aching joints and muscles also works wonders.
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