As a pet owner, you want to give your furry friend a good life. This often includes veterinary visits and taking care of him or her when your dog isn't feeling well. As your dog ages, it may also include dealing with joint pain and arthritis.
In order to do the best that you can for your dog, you may have some questions. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to hip and joint pain in dogs and what you can do for your pet.
What are the common signs of joint pain in dogs?
The first symptom that most people notice is that their dog isn't as active as normal. Your dog may not want to jump up on the bed and play like he or she used to. Walks may also become uncomfortable, and you may notice that your dog tires out and wants to lay down instead of taking the usual walk.
You may also notice that your dog appears stiff and may struggle to get up after sitting or laying for an extended period of time. Some dogs also limp due to pain. And, in some cases, you may also notice depression as a side effect of joint pain.
Other symptoms that you may notice include:
- Lethargy and depression
- Irritability
- Licking or chewing the affected area
What are some of the causes of hip pain in dogs?
There are many different diseases that can cause your dog to have pain in the hips and joints. These include:
- Canine hip dysplasia is the most common hip disease that is seen in dogs. It is caused by malformation of the hip joint. This uncomfortable condition causes your dog's joints to rub against each other. Hip dysplasia in dogs can also cause arthritis in the future, as well as other health problems like lameness. This condition is heritable, and it impacts many large breeds. Labradors and German Shepherds are particularly prone to hip dysplasia. But senior dogs and dogs that struggle with obesity are also prone to hip problems.
- Osteoarthritis is also a common hip problem in dogs. It is an inflammatory response that results in the swelling and loss of cartilage in the joints. This can be very painful and make it hard for a dog to get around.
- Hip dislocation is when a dog's hip gets dislocated. This is often due to trauma, such as getting hit by a car. It can also occur with severe hip dysplasia.
- Osteochondrosis is a disease that causes cartilage to grow abnormally. It can cause a lot of swelling and pain.
What is the best way to provide your dog with relief from hip pain?
If your dog is experiencing pain in the hip, you should really have an examination done by his or her veterinarian. He or she will do a thorough examination and may require x-rays to further diagnose the problem.
Your veterinarian may recommend:
- Losing weight. This will help to take some of the stress off of his or her hip joints.
- Limited exercise. Your dog's body will need some time to heal, so your veterinarian may recommend limiting the amount of exercise that your dog does. He or she may recommend keeping your pet inside and on a leash when you take your dog outside.
- Physical therapy. Some dogs benefit from physical therapy. Some people even try dog acupuncture, though there is no solid evidence supporting this for long-term joint issues.
- Joint supplements. Most veterinarians recommend a joint supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin. These may take a few weeks to work, but many owners notice that their dog is moving around a whole lot better once it has kicked in! Unlike pain relief drugs, these supplements help tackle the core of the issue.
- Pain medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs) — may help your dog live a more comfortable life. The most common of these are carprofen (also called Rimadyl or "dog ibuprofen") and firocoxib. There are also some over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen. But you should discuss any dog hip pain medications with your vet. Anti-inflammatory medications can make a big difference, while you are waiting for the joint supplements to work. You may need to give pain medications daily, or just as needed for pain. Discuss pain management with your vet.
What is the best type of dog food for hip pain?
There are many different foods on the market that are designed to help dogs who are experiencing pain in their hips and joints. While some of them are for weight management, others are made with ingredients that will protect the joints. These foods include:
- Hill's Prescription Diet Joint Care Dry Dog Food
- Hill's Prescription Weight & Joint Care
- Royal Canin Large Joint Care Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Joint Mobility
- Purina ONE SmartBlend Classic Ground Entree Canned Dog Food
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What can I give my dog for his hips and joints?
Most dogs with some sort of hip or joint pain may improve with a high-quality glucosamine supplement that also has chondroitin in it.
Omega-3 fatty acids can also be very helpful. These are used to ease arthritis pain.
That being said, your veterinarian may also recommend pain medication to give your dog a better quality of life. Your dog may need to take them daily to help with pain, or you may just need to give them as needed for their bad days.
Do hip and joint supplements really work for dogs?
Many owners see a difference in their dogs once they are on a high-quality joint supplement. That being said, it takes four to six weeks to see the true effects of the medication, so many owners stop it too early. You are going to need to give a higher dosage to start, and then once it is working, you can back it down to a maintenance dosage.
What are the benefits of giving a dog joint supplements?
A joint supplement, containing glucosamine and chondroitin, is made to keep joints healthier. Here are some of the benefits (and reasons why you should) give your dog joint supplements:
- Joint supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin are made to stimulate the cartilage in the joints.
- This is done to prevent further bone and joint damage.
- These supplements also have properties that will give your dog some relief from the stress of bad joints.
- Most supplements put glucosamine and chondroitin together because they work so well together.
- Glucosamine is used to promote the production of collagen in cartilage.
- While chondroitin fights against white blood cell enzymes that damage the cartilage.
Though it can be hard to watch your dog struggle, he or she doesn't have to. There are many joint supplements available so that you can keep your dog as comfortable as possible. Talk to your veterinarian today to see how you can help your dog have a better quality of life!
