Just like human joints, our dog’s joints are covered by cartilage. And when this cartilage breaks down easily and is slow to regenerate, they too can suffer from arthritis. A painful condition, it’s important to learn to manage your dog’s symptoms to reduce discomfort and maximise their quality of life.
But how can you help with arthritis relief for dogs?
Identifying the Early Signs of Arthritis
The earlier you can spot signs of arthritis in your dog, the sooner you can help. From easing their symptoms to slowing down the effects of arthritis, an early diagnosis can really improve the quality of your dog’s life. No matter how subtle the sign, you should make an appointment with your vet if you notice any of the following:
- Stiffness rising after periods of rest
- A reluctance to walk, run or play
- Difficulty climbing the stairs
- Pain when you touch specific joints
- Difficulty jumping into a vehicle
Natural Treatment Methods for Arthritis Relief for Dogs
If your dog does suffer from arthritis, there are several natural ways to alleviate their pain and improve their comfort levels. Your dog’s weight has a big impact on arthritis so you should ensure that they are a healthy weight for their breed. Reducing the load on their joints will alleviate pain and slow down the progression of arthritis. But in doing so, you should avoid any excessive exercise; short and regular walks are best for dogs with arthritis as they are gentler on the joints.
You can also make allowances around your home to alleviate some of your dog’s pain. You could use ramps to assist your dog with stairs and getting in the car, give regular warm water baths to ease their joints, use raised pet bowls, so they don’t overstretch when eating, gently massage their joints and more.
Supplements and a change of their diet can also help to relieve discomfort. Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Omega 3 are known to assist with arthritis so you should look to increase your dog’s consumption of these. They will aid cartilage health and help to reduce inflammation levels. You can incorporate through supplements or look for foods that are naturally rich in these nutrients.
Try Laser Light Therapy to Improve Comfort Levels
Another way to help with pain relief for your dog’s arthritis is by using laser light therapy. Wavelengths penetrate the skin’s surface to target chosen areas. With coats and wraps available in the form of red light therapy devices, you can target generalised areas or specific joints. Linked with pain relief, reduced swelling and inflammation, increased circulation and more, many dog owners find that light therapy can bring some comfort to their canines.
Perform laser therapy treatments for dogs yourself with at-home kits. Safe for use, laser light therapy is accessible for all pets from the comfort of their own home. Great for dogs of all ages and all mobility levels. Try red light therapy for arthritis pain relief for dogs today with Pets HeaLED. With quality, affordable kits, you can help to alleviate your dog’s symptoms as needed. Browse our collections online today or get in touch for more information.