What is Arthritis?
Arthritis means inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, or achiness in your pets. There are more than 100 types of arthritis that have been diagnosed in dogs and cats. The most common type seen by veterinarians is osteoarthritis (OA).
Osteoarthritis occurs more commonly in certain breeds of dogs, such as labradors and German shepherds.
What causes arthritis?
The main cause is aging and genetic factors may also play a role. Pets who get less exercise are at increased risk for osteoarthritis due to the lack of wear and tear on their joints. Older pets may also have a history of previous injuries, chronic ear infections, or other painful conditions.
How to know if my dog has arthritis?
You will notice your older pet having more trouble moving around and they might be more reluctant to participate in their daily activities. They may be unwilling to jump up on furniture or climb stairs and show signs of soreness after waking up.
What is the treatment for arthritis?
Treatment of arthritis depends on the severity and type of arthritis involved. Your veterinarian will be able to make a diagnosis based on your pet’s clinical signs and x-rays of their affected joints and may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, pain killers, or drugs that slow the progress of arthritis.
They may also recommend other treatment options such as weight control, physical therapy, or acupuncture for more severe cases.
What kind of activities are good for my dog?
Older pets should be allowed to rest after they get up from a nap or activity. If your pet is having difficulty getting around then the best type of activity for them is swimming. Swimming is especially useful since it exercises the muscles without stressing their joints.
Physical therapy is also an option if your pet has recurrent problems with arthritis. It will help strengthen their muscle and increase flexibility which, in turn, will reduce pain and improve mobility.
What kind of medical care do I need to give my pet?
Your veterinarian will recommend exercise and dietary changes based on your pet’s condition. They may also suggest such measures as weight reduction, antioxidants (to protect the joints), and fatty acids (for their coat).
For more severe cases, they may prescribe medications to help control pain and inflammation. If your dog is diagnosed with arthritis at a young age, it may be necessary to administer treatments for their entire life.
What can I do to help my pet?
Here are some ways that you can help your furry friend:
– Keep them active with walks and playtime so they don’t gain additional weight which puts stress on their joints.
– Make sure your dog gets at least 30 minutes of playtime or exercise every day.
– Give them soft food that is easy to chew and swallow.
– Keep your pet’s weight down to prevent additional stress on their joints which can lead to arthritis. Limiting treats to 10% of their daily diet is recommended.
Can CBD help my pet?
CBD can help your pet by providing relief from chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and seizures. It has also been shown to slow down or stop cancer growth in pets with tumors. One study showed that CBD helped decrease tumor size by 36.5% in dogs.
Also, CBD is effective at helping diabetic and epileptic dogs and cats so it might be a good idea for your pet as well because arthritis is also associated with neurological problems such as seizures and epilepsy. You can choose among the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis to pick out which one is fit with your dogs. By reducing pain and controlling inflammation, CBD can help keep your pets active and healthy!
Conclusion
Taking care of your older pets daily activities is the best way to help them maintain good mobility and overall health. Provide them with exercise, a healthy diet, manage their weight, and give them medications as recommended by your veterinarian for the best possible outcome.
You can choose among the best CBD oil for dogs with arthritis to pick out which one is fit for your dogs. By reducing pain and controlling inflammation, CBD can help keep your pets active and healthy!
