There is no miracle cure for arthritis in dogs. However, there are a variety ways you can keep your dog comfortable, healthy and happy so you both don’t have to suffer.

• Relaxing Place to Sleep

Many people have a doggie bed where their dogs sleep most of the day and night. But, when your dog has arthritis its bed needs to be just as comfortable as your own. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you need to have a new furry addition to your own bed, but you should find something soft with lots of cushion. A bed that is at least four inches thick is ideal or even an old sofa that you have in the garage will work.

Perhaps the best option, if money is no object when it comes to making your dog comfortable, is a memory foam dog bed, like the one K&H makes.

• Exercise

You may think that exercising your arthritic dog would cause it pain and discomfort. But regular, gentle exercises trigger the release of lubricant for your dog’s joints, which are important. Walking your dog around the block about three times a day is a great way to give your dog with arthritis joy, a good feeling and it also helps to loosen up your dog’s tightening joints.

• Diet, Weight and Supplements
  

Diet and weight control is the most important part of making your arthritic dog more comfortable.

Dogs that are overweight are more prone to getting dog arthritis, and dogs that already have arthritis will be in greater pain when overweight. If your dog is overweight you can throw as much veterinary medication and painkillers at it that you want, but the most beneficial thing that you can do is limit your dog’s diet and exercise it daily.

You should also think about feeding your pet a dog supplement with glucosamine, MSM, and condrotine.

As far as joint health supplements are concerned, the absolute best available is Proud Dog Complete Wellness (not that we’re bias or anything), an all-in-one health supplement for all breeds and ages of dogs. Not only does it benefit every important aspect of your dog’s health, but it also has the necessary ingredients to provide extra support for joint health, especially omega fatty acids, and this will help your dog with arthritis become more comfortable.

Remember, there is no need to give up hope when you learn your dog has arthritis. Even though your dog may be getting on in years, it doesn’t mean that your beloved pooch still doesn’t want to go outside and take walks with you and be active. So, do everything that you can to help give your dog a longer, happier life even with arthritis. Monitor your dog’s weight, use joint health food, provide Proud Dog Complete Wellness supplements, give it a soft place to sleep, and exercise your dog regularly and you’ll see daily improvements.

Tags: arthritis supplements, diet, diets, dog arthritis, dog beds, exercise, how to, joint health food, memory foam, sleeping

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at 12:29 am and is filed under Dog health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.