Arthritis is a painful disease that affects both humans and dogs. As your pet ages, you may notice that he has difficulty walking when he first wakes up from a nap, or he may move a little slower than he used to. These are some of the first signs that dogs with arthritis show as their joints and muscles begin to stiffen.
If your dog suffers from arthritis, you may also notice that he sleeps more than he used to or that he has trouble sitting or standing after sitting. Your attitude and behavior may change, you may favor a specific limb, or you may not be as alert as you used to be. Some dogs will gain weight because they don’t exercise as much due to joint pain.
Once your vet has diagnosed your dog with arthritis, here are some things you can do to help him feel more comfortable:
Give him pain relievers Medicines can help her feel better so she can keep doing some of the things she loves so much, but talk to your vet before giving her anything. He may recommend a pain reliever for your dog to help him deal with the aches and pains associated with this condition.
Exercise your dog – While your dog may not be able to run and jump like he used to, he still needs to exercise regularly to help with stiffness. Take a leisurely walk around the block or play ball with your pet. Anything you can do to help it move will help, but don’t put too much pressure on it.
Feed your pet nutritious meals – This will help to keep your dog fit and proper, making it easier for him to move around. Being overweight will put more stress on your joints and cause more pain.
Make food and water easy to reach – Do not make your dog stretch or bend over to eat or drink more than necessary. You can buy feeding dishes that are close to the ground or that are placed on a large dog stand. Making food and water more accessible will make it easier for you to eat and drink when you need to.
Install a dog ramp – If your pet has to climb steps to get in and out of the house, you can install a dog ramp to make it easier.
Give your fart a massage – Massaging your pet’s joints will help relax the muscles. Gently rub the areas affected by this disease and it will help comfort your pet.
Give it a soft place to rest – One more thing you can do for dogs with arthritis is to provide them with a nice, soft place to rest. Lying on the floor or trying to jump on the couch can make your joints hurt more. Dogs with arthritis need a soft, low bed or pillow where they can sleep and rest.
Caring for dogs with arthritis can be tricky because you need to pamper them more than usual while making sure they get the exercise they need. Find fun ways to help you exercise, and use the tips above to make yourself more comfortable living with arthritis.