As a dog parent, it hurts to see your dog struggle with arthritis…
Moreover, they won’t be how they used to. They’re less active and less mobile.
So how can you ensure that they get the best arthritis treatment even at home?
Read on to discover:
- 3 ways to keep your arthritic dog warm.
- 9 ways to help a dog with arthritis at home.
- What kind of dog bed should you get your arthritic dog.
- And much, much, more…
Table of contents
What home remedy can I give my dog for arthritis?
A home remedy you can give to your dog with arthritis is natural supplements. Some examples of those are turmeric, comfrey, and glucosamines. You should also make necessary home adjustments to make it easier for your pooch. You can also massage or warm their joints.
How to help a dog with arthritis at home – 9 ways
#1: Maintain a healthy weight and diet
For an arthritic dog, it’s important to stay slim.
That’s because maintaining your dog’s weight will help maintain their joints.
If your canine’s overweight, their joints would be prone to endure more stress. That’s the effect of the extra load pushing on them.
With that extra strain on their joints, the pain they’re experiencing might get worse.
So, what can you do?
The first thing to do is to talk to your dog’s veterinarian.
You can ask them to suggest a weight-reduction plan for your canine.
Note: Only follow the vet’s advice regarding this issue.
VCA Hospital tells us that you must ensure safe weight loss in your dog.
For that to happen, your pooch should only lose about 3-5% of their initial weight per month.
Along with their weight loss plan, you should still keep feeding them the proper diet.
Maintain a high-quality diet for your dog
By doing this, you ensure that your pooch receives proper nutrition.
First, you must avoid feeding your dog processed foods.
That’s because those kinds of foods can cause more inflammation in your dog’s joints. Then, it’ll only lead to more feelings of pain.
Instead, you can feed your dog functional foods. Those are:
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Whole grains.
According to research, doing so would also improve your pup’s brain functions.
Feed your dog at a schedule
It’s recommended to feed your dog twice a day. You should give those meals at an 8 to 12-hour interval.
Moreover, don’t choose a time near their bedtime hours.
Why?
This study says that the timing of meal intake can promote weight gain.
#2: Get them moving
Your arthritic dog has a hard time moving here and there…
But, that doesn’t mean that they’re excused from exercise.
In fact, they still need it more than ever.
But, they can’t endure exhausting and intense exercises like they used to.
Despite that, it’s still important to keep your pooch on the move.
If they’ve spent a huge amount of time lying or sitting, call them. Make them walk towards you…
You should encourage such activity or interaction, even if it’s simple.
That’s because resting for hours can cause stiffness in their joints. If that happens, Fido will only experience more pain.
And when you’re exercising them, make sure to keep the activities light.
Walk them for a short distance or take them swimming. You can play hide-and-seek with them. This counts as a gentle exercise.
Anything that isn’t strenuous but can get their joints moving.
So, unless a vet orders your pooch to rest all the time, keep Fido moving.
#3: Provide them with ramps
Dogs with arthritis have a hard time moving already…
With that, stairs have become one of their nemesis in this world.
It doesn’t matter which size.
It can be long, like the stairs that connect a floor from another. It can also be that few stair steps on the front of your porch…
Regardless of which, they’ll struggle with stepping on any elevated steps.
You’d also see them having a hard time jumping on sofas. Until they let it go and just lie on the floor…
Then, they might also have a hard time getting in and out of the car.
That’s why you have to provide your arthritic dog with ramps around the house.
By doing so, you won’t risk them falling and stepping wrongly on the elevations.
A ramp provides an even plane for your pooch. It might look steep, but it’s an improvement compared to the steps of the stairs.
#4: Warm their joints
Warmth is among your arthritic dog’s best friends.
What made me say that?
That’s because heat can help soothe joint pains.
That’s why this is much needed if you live in a place with cold weather.
But, regardless of whether you do or don’t, this is a hack you should do for your pooch.
“How does it work?”
When you put warmth around a painful joint, the blood vessels around it grow larger…
Once that happens, your dog’s blood circulation improves.
When that takes place, their circulatory system can deliver oxygen and nutrients properly.
A better blood circulation relaxes those painful joints.
Not only that, it helps your pooch feel relaxed as well.
Here’s how you can provide warmth for your dog:
Method #1: Put a heating pad on their bed then cover it with a blanket that’s thick enough.
This method brings extra comfort to your pooch…
To the point that they’d get a good and refreshing sleep.
Method #2: Make a DIY warmer using a cotton tube sock and rice.
Fill the sock with enough rice, then tie the end to close it. You can use a string to make sure it’s properly sealed.
If you want to be totally sure, you can stitch the opening shut.
To give heat to this DIY warmer, you have to microwave it for a minute.
Once that’s done, you can give it to your dog.
They might hug it and curl around it.
Method #3: You can also use a bottle or jar and fill it with hot water. Then, wrap it with a blanket.
Note: If you do this, don’t leave the bottle or jar with your dog unattended.
#5: Massage them
Massage therapy is a growing trend around rehabilitation for many ailments in dogs.
That’s because research found this out:
Dogs reap the same benefits of massage as humans.
It’s due to our bodies’ similar inner workings and structure.
That’s why massage is highly beneficial for a dog.
Moreover, your pooch would enjoy a massage from you.
But, among many conditions that massage can help with, there’s osteoarthritis…
So, how does it help?
It’s similar to the way heat helps.
Applying light pressure on your dog’s body can help with their blood circulation…
I’ve explained what comes next to the improvement of their blood flow in the previous section.
Warning: To be specific, you shouldn’t directly massage their arthritic joints.
Doing so would only make the area sorer. If that happens, the pain that Fido’s feeling will only get worse.
For further reading: 9 Ways To Massage A Dog With Arthritis (How-to)
#6: Improve traction
When your dog has arthritis, their feet become less steady…
Their joints are weaker and painful. Both of those make their legs feel a little shaky.
That’s why they’re more prone to slipping and falling here and there.
You can help with this issue by offering them stability in areas that you can control.
I’m talking about slippery spots around your place…
You can put non-slip rugs that reduce friction on slippy surfaces.
Such rugs won’t mess with your house’s interior design. You can put a rug of your choice over the non-slip pad.
That aside, you can put it around tiled areas like the bathroom. Also, put one near the sink in the kitchen. That’s because that area is more prone to water spillage.
And while we’re on the topic of spillage, there’s another thing to do.
This time, you’ll use a normal absorbent mat.
Place it under their water bowl. This is needed as your dog might always be around that area, and water spillage can occur.
If you can’t put rugs due to circumstances, there’s another option to take.
You can make your dog wear anti-slip socks at home. Then, when going out, your dog can also put on anti-slip boots to be 100% sure as they wander around.
#7: Provide them with a good dog bed
As I mentioned, your pooch has a hard time getting on the sofa.
They’ll also struggle to jump in on the bed with you…
If they don’t have a dog bed, the floor is the only spot left for them.
Warning: Your dog might realize that part after trying hard to get into furniture. Such attempts can cause further pain and injuries to your pupper.
Moreover, the floor might cause more joint pain.
It’s because the hard and leveled surface doesn’t ease their joints. Plus, support is limited when they’re getting up from it.
That’s why a good dog bed goes a long way…
And your arthritic fur baby would highly appreciate such.
You must look for dog beds with the following features:
- Something that has orthopedic support.
- Low to the ground, so that it’s easily reachable.
- Preferably with memory foam as such is easy for your dog’s joints.
An example is this highly-rated orthopedic memory foam dog bed.
But it doesn’t stop there…
You can provide a second dog bed for your pooch.
That’s because you want to give them the freedom to choose which is more comfortable at the moment.
Here’s an orthopedic dog bed that has something to support their heads around.
#8: Maintain their nail length
Like I said, your arthritic pooch’s feet are less steady…
That’s why it’ll help to improve traction on their feet as well.
You can do so by regularly trimming their nails.
If their nails are kept long, it’ll be harder for them to walk.
Sometimes, it’s even painful for them to walk with long nails.
With that, regularly clip their nails or file them.
If your pup’s not comfortable with you trimming their nails, that can change.
Start the process gradually…
You can begin by letting them sniff the nail clipper or nail file. Once they do, give them a treat and praise them.
Next is to let the nail clipper touch their paw. If they don’t resist, give them another treat.
From there, you can work into trimming a little of their nails.
After a few tries and a lot of patience, you can trim your pup’s nails with ease.
#9: Opt for natural supplements
As I said, there is no known cure for arthritis…
What’s available are remedies that help soothe the pain.
And the best remedies available out there are natural.
Note: It also pays to consult your dog’s vet for effective treatment. You should also ask for their advice about exploring these natural remedies.
I’m talking about the following:
Turmeric
The component that makes turmeric yellow is called curcumin.
According to experts, it’s also the main element that helps reduce pain from arthritis.
That’s because curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties.
You can add 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to your dog’s meals per day.
After a while, you might observe your pooch moving with more ease.
Comfrey
As stated by this study, comfrey is a centuries-old medicinal plant.
You can easily get your hands on these shrubby herbs. You can find them in food stores as dry herbs.
Moreover, it’s used to control pain from many conditions, which includes arthritis.
Comfrey has rosmarinic acid as a component. It’s what helps relieve pain and inflammation.
Only give your canine 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of comfrey per day.
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate
This is a vet and dog-parent recommended joints supplement.
Experts say that this is a great alternative if your dog can’t take the initially recommended NSAIDs.
They’re effective in improving the cartilages between each joint.
They do so by stopping the degeneration of those cartilages. Then, it also assists the body in rebuilding those declined sites.
Warning: Again, consult your dog’s veterinarian before using this supplement.
That step is essential.
Why?
It’s because this supplement might be effective, but it has side effects. I’m talking about:
- Fatigue.
- Allergies.
- Restlessness.
- Excessive thirst.
- Frequent urination.