Our pets are something that we hold very close to our hearts and we do this naturally. We love them and they love us loyally. So when something tragic like Arthritis happens to one of ours, we are obviously a bit taken aback with shock and grief. What’s important is to stay strong and though. There are many things that we could do for our sick pets. Here are 10 simple things that we can do in order to help an arthritic older dog.
Things You Can Do:
- Take your dog to the vet for regular checkups so that your vet can monitor the progress of the arthritis and make changes to the treatment plan accordingly. Have your vet write you a prescription for Rimadyl.
- Keep your dog slim to reduce the pressure on his joints. So make sure you feed him the sufficient amount of high quality dog food. You should discuss this with your vet first. He will help you in coming up with a diet plan that will help your pet’s condition while also providing him with the sufficient and necessary nutrients.
- Give her controlled exercise. Just because she has arthritis, doesn’t mean she gets out of exercise. Exercise is a very important part of developing the right way and staying healthy. Just monitor her carefully while she plays. Get her to move, maybe play a game of fetch on a soft surface like grass.
- Damp and cold conditions are known to aggravate arthritis. So keep him on dry and warm at all times. Apply warm compression to joints which may be painful and opt for a padded dog bed instead of a mat.
- Massage has many effects in dogs just like it can do wonders for humans. Ask your vet for a referral to a massage therapist for animals. Massage can help to increase the blood circulation, sense of overall well-being and even his flexibility.
- Pain medication can often help to relieve the intense joint pain often experienced with Arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs called NSAIDS and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs called DMAODs can also really help. Ask your vet to give you a prescription for Rimadyl.
- Chondroitin and Glucosamine supplements have been known to improve joint mobility as well as support joint functioning.
- Just like massage can do wonders for people and dogs alike, acupuncture can too! This technique that’s also painless has shown tremendous promise with dogs and other animals that are suffering from Arthritis.
- Ask your vet’s advice on the pros and cons of surgery as well as what you should expect afterwards if your dog’s arthritis is quite advanced.
- Adjust his living environment at home. Not drastically and all at once as this might overwhelm him, but do so nevertheless. Give him more supportive bedding to accommodate his painful joints, put down some carpeting to provide some traction.
As you can see, you are not totally helpless in the treatment of this illness. There are certain things that you can do to make him feel better. He will lean on you for support – give it to him.
Joint Health Products for Pets with Arthritis
Comfortable mobility is important for everyone, but somehow it seems even more necessary when it comes to our dogs and cats. Running, jumping and playing is what brings them joy, and healthy joints are the key to ensuring that happy life. Arthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints, is the primary obstacle for healthy joints in your dog or cat. Luckily, there are ways you can battle the degenerative condition and protect your cats and dogs with arthritis.
A healthy diet, rich in high-quality protein and fat will maximize the production of cartilage that protects joints. Believe it or not, moderate exercise is also important to keep bones and joints strong. Aside from those two keystone practices, finding the right joint care supplements or vitamins for dogs can ensure that the proper nutrients are in your pet’s body, protecting and rebuilding the cartilage that supports joints.
Supplements
The crucial building blocks of a healthy joint are strong bones
and healthy, moist and spongy cartilage. Inside the bodies of
your dogs and cats most of the necessary compounds for strong
joints are produced. Supplements provide those same powerful
compounds to complement your pet’s natural production.
- Useful in both preventing and treating cartilage breakdown
- Contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulfate that has been shown to relieve, prevent, and improve joint health problems in dogs
- Safe and effective for dogs of any age
Companion Promise Joint Health Plus for Dogs
- A nutritious supplement, containing Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
- Promotes cartilage production while preventing cartilage breakdown
- Dogs love the beef and cheese flavor
- A daily Glucosamine/Chondroitin Manganese supplement for dogs only
- Intended to treat osteoarthritis
- Designed to decrease inflammation, lubricate joints, and support the healthy growth of new cartilage, while protecting the existing cartilage from breaking down
- This supplement is designed to promote better joint health and improve agility
- Maintains urinary bladder health in cats
- Recommended by veterinarians
View all of our joint supplements
Vitamins
A vitamin-rich body works better, producing what it needs to stay healthy and avoid pain and injury. Your dog or cat probably gets the majority of their vitamins through a healthy diet and outdoor exposure but a multivitamin can add a healthy balance to your pet’s health regimen and ensure continual wellness.
- Easily digestable, beef and cheese flavored, scored tablets
- All the nutrients, vitamins and minerals a dog needs for optimal health
- Includes Calcium, Vitamin E, Iron, Vitamin b-12 and many others that are essential to your dog's health
Companion Promise Advanced Nutrition Multi-Vitamin Plus for Dogs
- An inexpensive way to give your dogs a healthy edge
- This daily multivitamin will increase energy, strength and overall happiness in your pup
- Chewable, once-a-day multivitamin
- Helps build muscle, bone and other tissue
- Helps maintain energy throughout the day
View all of our vitamins
Food
Getting the optimum nutrients is crucial for ensuring your pet has the right stuff to build and sustain cartilage for healthy joints. An overweight cat or dog is much more likely to suffer from joint pain, as their body weight adds pressure to their skeletal system. Here are some food options that balance high nutrients and low calories.
- The first natural dog food, Solid Gold has been a leader in pet nutrition since 1974
- Unique blend utilizes blueberries to help with bladder and eye problems, and yucon which promotes bone and joint health
- Oils instead of saturated animal fats
Wellness Dry Cat Food for Adult Cats, Healthy Weight Recipe
- Formula designed to keep cats at a healthy weight
- Naturally contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Highly palatable proteins from quality sources to build lean muscle mass and a healthy blend of fiber to feel full longer
Dogswell Happy Hips Canned Food
- Grain free and made of all natural ingredients
- Includes chelated minerals for better absorption
- The natural ingredients provide a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Treats
Sometimes a treat is just a treat, but when you want it to be more consider treats that help supplement your pet’s nutritional intake. The treats below will encourage your dog throughout the day and provide a delicious delivery system for supplements that help their joints thrive.
- Contains Green-Lipped Mussel to help protect joint mobility by providing a nutritional solution to maintain healthy joints throughout a lifetime
- Contains a unique combination of omega-3 fatty acids, to naturally maintain joint mobility
- Contain natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin from both Green-Lipped Mussel and chicken cartilage to help protect mobility by providing the building blocks for healthy joints
Rawhide Vita Hide Heart W/ Chicken Pack
- Nutrient enriched 100% pure chicken breast wrapped around natural rawhide
- Joint Formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health
- Fortified with L-Carnitine, Taurine and vitamins C & E to promote heart health
- A tasty, beefy treat that cleans your dog's teeth and freshens their breath
- With added glucosamine this treat helps encourage joint strength
- The softer texture is accomodating to senior teeth and jaws
View all of our best treats
Homeopathic Remedies
Sometimes giving your dog or cat the best care means mimicking the healthy tips their ancestors have already discovered in the wild. The flowers and roots that kept the cats and dogs of history in business can often do the same for your cosmopolitan homebody.
- A healthy capsule with no known side effects
- Natural ingredients that lubricate the joints
- Contains Curcumn, Yucca extract and copper
- a naturally derived extract of wild blue-green algae grown in the United States
- a rich source of phytonutrients including Phycocyanin, a biliprotein that has scientifically demonstrated joint health benefits
- A simple, tasty soft chew that is diabetic friendly
Natural Pet Muscle Joint Arthritis Cat
- Natural remedy for muscle and joint ache
- 100% safe natural medicine
view all of our homeopathic remedies
Gear
Unlike many ailments your dog or cat might face, joint pain can sometimes be alleviated by a simple fix like a ramp where there used to be stairs or a food bowl that can be reached without bending. Because the simple things are sometimes the best way to get started on making your pet’s life a little easier, check out our innovative gear.
- An excellent feeding dish with a unique design that aids with the joint health of your canine companion
- Your dog won't have to bend to get at their food
- Aluminum & Plastic construction combines to make the lightest and strongest ramp on the market
- Innovative walking surface has gentle "wave" to improve pets' traction
- Holds over 400 lbs. With no bending!
- Attractive & affordable way to help pets reach their favorite places with ease
- Prevent painful jumping and climbing is pets with joint pain
- Built with safety siderails & non-skid feet
View all of our apparel and furniture
Pain Relief Medication
When joint pain escalates for your furry loved one the first thing you want to do is eliminate the discomfort that plagues them. With prescription and non-prescription medications that ease arthritis and post-surgery pain you can feel confident that you are offering a pain reliever that is safe and effective at treating your pet’s problem.
- A 24-hour, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) intended to relieve arthritis, joint and post-operative pain, as well as reducing fever
- Safe and effective for dogs and pups 6 weeks and older
- A prescription COX-2, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that works to relieve arthritis pain
- Helps pain from Hip Dysplasia
- Improvement within a few days
- Effective relief of osteoarthritis, joint pain and mobility issues
- Safe for short term or long term use and can be taken with or without food
- A fast-acting, flavored tablet that significantly improves joint pain related quality of life
- The COX-2 inhibitory ingredient firocoxib, blocks only the COX-2 enzyme, which is responsible for pain and inflammation of the joints
- Previcox allows the release of COX-1 enzymes to maintain support of kidney health, stomach lining and platelet production
View all of our medications
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