As dogs start to age, they begin to suffer from many of the same issues people start to complain about in their senior years. One of those issues is joint and mobility problems, which is very common in older dogs. The size of your dog’s breed tends to be a big factor in just how early these types of issues set in, with larger breeds suffering from joint and mobility problems at a younger age. The good news is that there is plenty you as an owner can do to help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort they are in, allowing them to go about their daily life.
Royalty Free Photo
Have Your Dog Looked at and Diagnosed
The best place to start is with an official diagnosis from your dog’s vet. Simply saying your dog has joint and mobility problems isn’t specific enough. In order to come up with the best treatment plan, the reason for the issues needs to be uncovered. It could be that your dog has arthritis, which requires a specific type of treatment path, or maybe they have a torn ligament. There are many different reasons they could be in pain.
Make Changes in Your House
Making minor changes in your house can also help to ensure that no further damage is done, causing your dog even more pain. This can include things like a ramp or stairs that helps them get in and out of the car or up on furniture (if allowed), laying rugs on slippery surfaces, and even purchasing special paw grip socks that help prevent slipping.
Make Sure Your Dog Has a Healthy Body Weight
If your dog is carrying extra weight than that will be placing undue stress on their joints, which will make their problems more pronounced. You can work with your vet to figure out your dog’s optimal body weight, and then have them come up with a plan on how you can achieve it.
Supplements and Medications Can Help
In some cases, you may want to look into supplements and medications in order to treat the inflammation and pain. Canna Companion is one example of a product that can help to alleviate some of that pain they are feeling. It is a blend of Cannabis sativa strains, which is also known as hemp, and can help with joint discomfort.
Regular Exercise Can Help
While you may think it is a good idea to prevent your dog from moving around, if they have arthritis then regular exercise is actually very important to their health. Instead it is a matter of adjusting the way they exercise and the length of time. Shorter walks that aren’t as fast-paced are an excellent example.
Helping Your Pet to Be Comfortable
Each of these tips is designed to help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort that your dog may be going through thanks to joint and mobility issues. This means your dog will feel that much better all around.