Preventing & Treating Arthrosis in Dogs

The good news first: when our four-legged friend is plagued by arthrosis, there are good therapies and food supplements that can relieve the joint condition. Since arthrosis pain can significantly impair a dog's quality of life, one should make use of them. In addition, the dog should be enabled to live a pain-free life ahead of time. It is therefore advisable, already at a young dog age, to take care that no problems arise in old age. The following article deals with the prevention and the treatment of joint conditions.

The right amount of exercise is important with arthrosis

Fundamentally, it does the joints good to be used. This is important because the nourishment of the joint cartilage can only take place through an even distribution and a sufficient presence of the joint fluid. This keeps the cartilage elastic and allows it to fulfil its task of cushioning. With too little joint fluid, damage to the cartilage and to the joint sockets can occur. So-called joint wear can develop and, in the advanced stage, a painful arthrosis. So with joint problems in your dog you should not be afraid of walks, but always only for as long as the dog goes along with it without signs of pain. The principle applies: what rests, rusts. Without movement, no joint fluid forms. Fetch games and extended romping with other dogs should of course be avoided in patients with arthrosis. Be attentive and observe the dog's gait. From it you can quickly draw conclusions.

Are certain postures bad for the joints

A frequently asked question. We therefore address it here with an example. Most dogs like to dig. Whether this additionally burdens the joints is hard to judge. But one cannot assume that the dog knows this for itself. For when the hunting instinct comes through, the body's own hormones even switch off sensations of pain, which in a dog with arthrosis is of course rather counterproductive. It is best to limit the time, since during digging the body posture is somewhat cramped. If the dog already suffers from a more severe arthrosis, it is better to prevent it entirely. Regular movement in all gaits is more advisable. When time allows, several short walks are also better than a single long route. The dog overloads the joints less, the joint fluid stays supple, and the muscles that additionally support the joint are trained. It is essential to make sure that the four-legged friend has, and keeps, its ideal weight. For under additional kilograms the joints suffer particularly when they are already affected.

• Promotion of joint lubrication through adapted exercise
• Preservation of cartilage elasticity through high-quality nutrients
• Avoidance of excess weight to relieve the skeleton
• Several short walks instead of one long strain

What to do against arthrosis

With regard to the genetic triggers for arthrosis, one effective option remains for sparing the dog pain. One must take care as well as possible of the preservation of the joint cartilage and its optimal function. If everything important for this has already been done from middle dog age, the joints are still quite well protected even with a more severe malposition, which usually occurs in old age.

If, owing to an error in the diet, there is a risk of arthrosis, the dog food should of course be changed first and foremost. Please provide high-quality food from the very beginning, and variety is important too. Please do without industrially manufactured food. 90 percent of all pet foods belong to this category. Imagine having to eat the same meal from a snack bar every day for years on end. That a deficiency and an illness can develop from this is obvious.

Options for natural support

Natural active ingredients can be fed as a supplement to prevent arthrosis as early as the young and middle years. Joint nutrients such as glucosamine, chondroitin, collagen and sulphur compounds can provide strong, flexible cartilage and sufficient joint fluid and thus support keeping the joints healthy. In already affected joints, the cartilage can regain elasticity and regenerate through the increased production of joint lubrication. Inflammation within the joints can be relieved and the pain recedes. Especially for older dogs, we recommend a comprehensive supply of vitamins, minerals and joint protection.

This article serves as general information and to support your dog's mobility into old age.