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Osteoarthritis and joint pain are among the most common complaints in dogs today. To ensure that your four-legged friend remains your active companion for a long time, I would like to give you some important tips today on what you can do to prevent and treat osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the excessive wear and tear of joints. The joint cartilage breaks down, the synovial fluid becomes thinner and the joint capsule shrinks. This in turn leads to pain and limited mobility. The widespread clinical picture often occurs in older dogs, but young dogs are also increasingly affected. The disease cannot be cured, which is why prevention is particularly important. However, suitable measures can significantly improve the symptoms.
How do you recognize osteoarthritis in your dog?
The earlier osteoarthritis in dogs is treated, the better the course of the disease. If your dog seems a little stiff, is lame or finds activities such as climbing stairs more difficult than usual, these may be the first signs of osteoarthritis. By palpating the joint apparatus, swelling, pain or tenderness can be detected. To find out for sure whether it is osteoarthritis, I recommend visiting your trusted vet or veterinary practitioner.
5 things you need to know about prevention & treatment of osteoarthritis
1. bring your dog to ideal weight
Every kilogram means additional strain on your dog's joints. So if you want to do your pet a favor, avoid being overweight.
2. the right amount of exercise
From my experience, I can say that many pet owners either exercise their four-legged friends too much or too little. Make your daily walks interesting and varied and pay attention to your dog's individual needs. My two male setters accompany me on jogs, relaxed walks and hikes. I train them according to their natural abilities. One-sided exercises, such as prolonged ball games, can lead to injuries. Dogs used to chase their prey for a few minutes - even today, more is not good. I can particularly recommend exercise therapy in the form of underwater treadmills and swimming training.
3. the right diet
Cereals are suspected of promoting inflammation and should therefore be avoided, as should too much starch - from potatoes, for example. For a joint-friendly diet, I recommend a balanced diet of healthy meat, fresh vegetables and fruit to strengthen the immune system. As always, the more natural the better.
4. sensible food supplements
A balanced and varied diet combined with natural and balanced supplements have a positive influence on cartilage tissue and bone structure. The essential nutrients from omega-3 & 6 to glycosaminoglycans, such as those found in our acceptable green-lipped mussel powder and the green-lipped mussel capsules support the smooth muscle and joint functions of your four-legged friend.
This supplement can also be safely combined with collagen for dogs can be combined without hesitation. A study has shown that collagen peptides can contribute to maintaining healthy joints.
5. alternative healing methods for joint pain
Acupuncture, homeopathy or the use of leeches can have a positive effect on the treatment of joint pain. Regular check-ups with a holistic veterinarian or veterinary practitioner are also worthwhile. Have your favorite four-legged friend checked once a year. This will ensure a long, flexible and pain-free life!
With the right combination of natural measures, you can prevent or significantly improve osteoarthritis in your four-legged friend. We will be happy to provide you with individual advice.
