Arthritis Treatment For Dogs

Arthritis is common in adults, unfortunately now children and also animals. Arthritis affects o,ne in every five of adult dogs in the U.S. Vetinarians commonly have arthritis treatment for dogs and it one of the major causes of chronic pain.

Most people not only love their dogs but pay attention to them. They will usually know if there's something wrong, even if they cannot pinpoint the cause right away. If your dog has problems getting into a sitting or standing position, that is a real clue. The dog may have problem climbing the stairs or you may notice that your beloved pet is not as active as usual or may not be interested in playing with you or your family. Other symptoms can be sleeping more or being generally less alert than normal. Favoring a certain limb is also a real sign.

Now you know the signs, what can you do?

Well, first of all go and see your vetinarian to see what he can recommend that you do. You'll find a lot of similarities between human and animal arthritis and their treatment.

If your dog is overweight, that is definitely not a help and will bring undue pressure on sore joints. So bringing him or her back to a healthy weight is key. It may also be, like with humans, that certain foods trigger arthritis pain. Again your vetinarian can help you. Also, just like us humans, your dog can benefit from more exercise so go for long walks which will be good for both of you! He can also prescribe NSAIDs which are non steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs for your pet.

There are also natural ways to help - particularly supplements containing glucosamine, MSM, and Omega fatty acids should be a part of the dog's diet anyway but they can be purchased as supplements. Also dosing your dog with vitamin C which can be bought in powder form and mixed in with food can also help to keep his muscles healthy and protect his bones. You can find a sodium ascorbate as opposed to ascorbic acid which has an acidy taste which he may refuse. Visit your local health food store for advice. There are also homeopathic remedies, particularly rhus toxicodendron. A homeopath can give you advice.

Since arthritis thrives in an overly acidic environment, it is important that your dog gets the very best quality food and water. Mix vegetables into his food as they are alkaline. The only exceptions being tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and potatoes as they could cause aggravation to the condition. Many people report changing to a raw diet has helped their dog. Also one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey can help with pain and is good for humans and animals alike.

As you can see, arthritis treatment for dogs is simply a matter of getting the best advice and sticking to it. Consulting your vetinarian is a necessary step but there are many options like diet, exercise and supplements that can help too.