When it comes to the family you love, you want everyone to be happy and healthy. That’s what having a loving family is all about. However, happy and healthy doesn’t just apply to you, your spouse and your children. It applies to your pets as well. As pets get older, just like humans, they can end up with a few conditions that warrant you taking extra special care of them. One of those conditions is arthritis. It is one of the most common ailments in middle-aged to older dogs.
However, since your pet can’t speak to you, they can’t tell you where it hurts. That is why it’s so important to know the symptoms of arthritis in dogs, so you can get your canine pal the help they need and deserve. With that in mind, read on below for a few of the signs and symptoms, and then a little on how you can help your pup at this stage in their lives.
Your Pup is Limping
Studies have shown that owning a loyal dog can help people cope with depression, addiction and more, according to Peaks Recovery, one of several treatment centers in Colorado, pets can help immensely in the recovery process. Our pets take such good care of us, that our pup limping is something most of us notice right away. However, we also figure that it’s nothing serious when in reality, it is one of the number one signs of arthritis in pets. If the limp seems much worse when your pet first stands up, you may need to have it checked by your vet right away.
Your Pet Could Become Irritable
Just like humans, when a pet feels bad, they become irritable. If your normally sweet dog is suddenly snapping at or biting people that come near him, it could be a symptom of arthritis.
How can you Help?
Taking care of your pet later in life is just like taking care of a human. You should get them to a vet as soon as possible for a diagnosis and follow his advice and instructions to help manage your canine pals pain the right way. There is no cure for arthritis in pets, but there are remedies that can help to alleviate the symptoms of the condition.
Exercise
It is important to make sure that your pet still gets controlled exercise. Helping your dog through low-impact exercises that still keep his muscles in good shape can take some stress off arthritic joints. Your vet can help you come up with a routine that works for your pet.
Change His Diet
Changing your dogs’ diet may also become necessary if he is diagnosed with arthritis. Your pup being at his ideal weight will also help to relieve the stress on his joints, which helps to relieve the pain.
These are just a few of the signs and symptoms of arthritis in dogs and some of the ways that you can help make it easier on your pup. Our dogs do so much for us, isn’t it important to do for them, as well.