8 Tips For Treating Arthritis In Dogs
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting overweight, obese, and older adult dogs. Just as it is with humans, there’s no known cure for arthritis in dogs but treatments to help improve the symptoms of the same. These treatment options cannot, however, be obtained over-the-counter without a veterinarian’s prescription. This is why it would be advisable to have your dog checked by a vet to ascertain the underlying condition and determine the right medication for the same. CBD oil has, however, proven to be an effective remedy for arthritis in dogs. Outlined below are a few tips and ways you can use CBD to treat arthritis in dogs.
Disclaimer! – Be sure to see your vet before starting any CBD regiment. We are not experts.
1. Administer Orally Or Topically
Some of the natural CBD dog treats are as effective in treating various conditions in dogs as it is with humans. This is because CBD packs potent anti-inflammatory properties that help fight inflammations and pain commonly associated with arthritis. The compound penetrates deep into the dog’s tissues and cells to reduce inflammation in the tissues and muscles, hence faster recovery from the same. You can thus apply CBD oil topically on the affected area (joints) at least once or twice per day for the best results. However, researchers and veterinarians recommend starting off with a low dosage and then increase the dosage gradually based on the dog’s age, body-sized, and weight, among several other factors. Most dogs reportedly get back to their feet just two days after the first application. You could also administer CBD oil orally to increase its efficacy. It wouldn’t, however, be advisable to use large doses of the same on your dog, as doing so only puts it at risk of possible side effects. CBD for dogs is typicaly safe.
2. Treat leaky Guts
A good number of dogs suffer from leaky guts. Researchers believe this condition is a result of poor nutrition and diet in dogs. Leaky guts trigger increased inflammatory disorders leading to either acute or chronic arthritis. According to research, a poor diet causes the lining of the gut to weaken. This makes it much harder to prevent toxins and digested foods from seeping through while, again, inhibiting how much digested food and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. In return, the body starts fighting the foreign materials within the gut area, resulting in severe inflammation. However, adding CBD oil to the dog’s diet plan helps restore the gut’s normal health and fight inflammation in the same. Your vet may also provide alternative medication to treat the condition.
3. Serve It A Well-Balanced Diet
Proper nutrition is the first and one of the best ways to prevent/deal with arthritis. The first step to do this is to eliminate all foods that might not be good for your dog, as well as those that make the condition worse. These include processed grains (soy, lectin, wheat, etc.), genetically modified foods, starch, processed meats, dairy, and sugars. These processed foods are loaded with preservatives and additives that make the condition (arthritis) worse. Replacing these processed foods with real organic foods and supplementing its supply of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins can help manage/treat arthritis in your beloved dog.
4. Keep Its Body Weight In Check
As mentioned earlier, obese dogs are at the highest risk of arthritis. It would thus be advisable to ensure your dog is perfectly fit and not overweight. An obese and arthritic dog will have a tough time moving around, and so is losing weight. The extra weight puts a lot of strain on its joints, causing them to deteriorate even further.
Walking your dog every day, letting it exercise (running around), and even changing its diet plan can help induce weight loss. Regular exercise, such as going for a gentle walk, or swim, are mostly recommended for overweight and obese dogs. Simply shedding off the extra pounds helps relieve symptoms of arthritis.
5. Install Slip-Free Flooring And A Softer Bed
Arthritis can really be rough on your dog. Having cubes, ramps, and slip-free flooring installed in your house can, however, make its life a bit easier and more comfortable. Ramps and cubes make it possible for severely affected and even older dogs to get off chairs and stairs, while an anti-slip flooring means it wouldn’t injure itself in the process. You could also order a new but softer bed for the dog as well. The bed needs to be comfortable and supportive enough, suitable for your specific breed. Go for an orthopedic dog bed that is not too soft but comfortable enough to avoid agitating the inflamed and painful joints.
6. Enroll For Specialized Exercises And Massage
Specialized massage is an excellent remedy for arthritis in dogs. Massage works by facilitating increased blood flow to the inflamed area and induce a sense of relaxation around the surrounding muscles. You could start by massaging the dog yourself. All you need is to knead the dog’s muscles gently to induce relaxation and increased blood flow. A specialized massage therapist dealing with pets might, however, be better placed for this. This is because they already know the art of muscle manipulation to provide relief. Senior dogs will need frequent massage as compared to younger ones. Your vet might also recommend specialized exercises to help accelerate his/her healing process.
7. Ensure He/She Isn’t Over-Vaccinated
While vaccines do help protect dogs from various illnesses, overdoing it, presents it with unique problems. This is because vaccines have lots of heavy metals (aluminum) and animal protein, which, in high levels, can trigger an autoimmune response. Continued exposure to most of these vaccines only weakens the dog’s immunity system, making it impossible to prevent even the mildest of health conditions. Heavy metals in these vaccines are known to affect gut functions and trigger inflammation of the joints in dogs; another reason you need to be careful with these. While your dog needs to be vaccinated against various ailments and conditions, you might want to keep a record of the same to avoid unnecessary or repeat vaccinations. This is particularly important for arthritis dogs that might react to animal proteins and heavy metals, making the condition worse.
8. Increase Omega-3 Intake And Reduce Omega-6 Fatty Acids
While omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential for your dog’s health, you might want to reduce its intake of omega 6 and increase omega 3 fatty acids. Like most fats, omega 6 fatty acids are known to increase the risk of arthritis in dogs, while omega 3 fatty acids lower its risk of the same.
According to research, serving your dog with foods rich in omega 6 fatty acids may worsen arthritis symptoms, one of the reasons you need to be careful with these. Factory-farmed grains and animals are particularly rich in omega 6 acids, hence should be avoided altogether. However, organically produced foods pack more omega-3 fatty acids, hence your best bet for combating arthritis in dogs. You can find the top 10 CBD oils here.
Conclusion
Arthritis is a common condition with many pet dogs today. Nevertheless, understanding your dog’s health history can help you plan better to reduce its risk of developing the condition. Following a strict feeding guideline/routine, exercise, and ensuring it doesn’t gain weight can go a long way in preventing and treating arthritis. Adding CBD oil to its meals or applying it topically can help manage chronic inflammation too. Following health information on your dog or getting your puppy from a recommended pet home will help you understand its dietary needs and vaccinations, reducing its risk of arthritis.