A Comprehensive Guide to Support Arthritic Dogs

March 31, 2023

Arthritis is a condition that causes discomfort in dogs and concerns in their humans. Helping a dog with arthritis is no easy task, especially when there are signs of pain and inflammation.

As an organization with pets’ well-being in mind, we understand how overwhelming it may result in all the dispersed information about this degenerative joint disease. For that reason, we’ve assembled a complete guide to managing arthritis with the care they deserve.

In this guide to pet owners, we will go over what arthritis is, how it affects our pets and some ideas for taking the best care of your bionic pet.

Understand the Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs

A joint is a place in the body where bones come together to facilitate mobility.

Arthritis characterizes by the degradation of the cartilage lines of the joints or the joint fluid. The joint fluid provides lubrication and avoids friction between two bones.

When one of those two elements fails, it produces inflammation, joint swelling, and thickening of tissue around the joint. Arthritis can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness in the legs, hips, elbows, and other areas of a dog's body.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in dogs.

Lameness or stiffness, particularly after getting up from a long rest.
Reluctance to walk or run, jump or play fetch.
Difficulty getting up from a lying spot or going up and down the stairs.
Decrease in activity levels.
Excessive licking of a particular joint.
Whining or whimpering when touched.

The Impact of Arthritis on Your Dog

Arthritis affects not only a dog's physical health but also their emotional well-being. Dogs in pain may become withdrawn and depressed, unable to engage in activities they once enjoyed. As pet parents, witnessing their discomfort can be distressing.

Seeking professional help from a veterinarian will ensure your dog receives the necessary treatment and care tailored to their needs.

Steps to Help Your Dog With Arthritis

1. Try on Pet orthotics

When treating arthritis, there several ways to manage the progression.

Pet prosthetics have emerged as an excellent alternative to comfort your arthritic animal without risking its health. At Bionic Pets, we create custom braces and mobility devices depending on the needs of each pet.

Not everyone is a candidate for prosthetic devices, but we will always ensure we’re helping–never hindering–each pet we help.

You can learn more about dog prosthetics by visiting our youtube channel.

2. Provide Comfortable Resting Spots

Dogs with arthritis require comfortable resting places to alleviate pain. Ensure your dog has plenty of soft bedding to lounge on and consider providing ramps or stairs to help them access elevated surfaces like couches or beds.

3. Help Your Dog Stay Active and Mobile

Exercise is important in managing pain and improving joint function in dogs with arthritis. Give them short walks multiple times daily, and ensure they can run and play in the yard.

When exercising, start slow and gradually increase the intensity over time. And don’t forget the mental exercise! Dogs love games like hide-and-seek and fetch—they’ll have so much fun they won’t even realize they’re getting a workout.

4. Adjust Their Diet

Certain ingredients in some commercial dog foods, such as fillers and grains, can aggravate arthritis symptoms.

Talk to your veterinarian about switching your dog to a joint-health formula food. Consider adding supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to their diet.

Give Your Best Friend the Chance to Live a Quality Life

Arthritis is a common condition affecting dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes—but that doesn’t have to be painful.

While it’s not always possible to cure arthritis, there are many ways that you can help your dog live a comfortable life despite their condition.

At Bionic Pets, we aim to educate and empower our community to help their pets with mobility differences.

Finally, if you’re looking for custom and affordable pet prosthetics designed specifically for your furry friend’s needs, please visit our website and fill out our contact form!