Your pet’s joint health may be the last thing on your mind when you adopt one. However, joint pains in canines are a common condition that can affect them at some point in their lives, and bigger breeds are often the most susceptible. Through joint pet care practices, fortunately, you can prevent a life limited by stiffness and discomfort to your pet and improve their general well-being.
So let’s discuss a couple of simple guidelines on maintaining your pet’s joint health so they can keep doing their favorite activities for a long time.
How to Keep Your Pet’s Joints Healthy
Pet parents may assume everything is okay as long as their dogs aren’t whining in pain. However, pets exhibit pain differently than humans, and they are experts at hiding it. This is why we should proactively prevent joint problems, so our companions won’t suffer severe conditions like arthritis.
Here are five pointers to keep your dog’s joints and bones in the best and optimal condition:
1. Prevent Injuries
Dog arthritis commonly develops due to injuries, even when your pet is just a puppy. Jumping too high, overexercising, and running too hard before a puppy’s bones and muscles can develop may only hurt their joints, so it’s essential to supervise your pet’s exercise routine. Always observe moderation, exercise properly, and don’t overwork your pet to prevent injuries that might result in severe joint conditions.
2. Introduce Supplements to Their Regular Diet
In addition to maintaining your pet’s healthy diet, ask your vet about including joint supplements in their regular food. When your dog is a year old, start giving them fish oil; when they are two years old, feed them joint supplements. This is important even if you don’t see indications of arthritis yet.
If your pet experiences an upset stomach or reacts negatively to whatever joint supplements you are giving them, have them checked by an animal internal medicine specialist. Some joint supplements contain excessive amounts of glucosamine sulfate, which often causes toxicity. This is why it’s always best to seek advice from your veterinarian before starting joint supplements to ensure your pet’s safety if they have health issues that may conflict with it.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Good joint health in canines starts with a healthy and nutritious diet. Canine obesity and weight gain are among the most common culprits of joint-related problems in pets. Obese dogs carry extra weight, which puts additional pressure on their joints, supporting muscle tissues, and spine. Feeding them high-quality canine foods, fruits, and vegetables free of harmful additives and added sugar can help maintain their weight, promote general health, and support healthy joints.
To keep your pet’s chompers and weight healthy, their oral health is one thing you should maintain. Routinely take them to a dog dentist to prevent oral health issues that may affect their well-being.
4. Weigh Them Regularly
When you take your companion to the veterinarian for parasite prevention and puppy shots in Fermont, CA, do not forget to weigh them. Always record their weight to know if they’re gaining too much. The veterinarian can recommend the best weight for your pet’s size and breed to keep them in the healthy weight range.
5. Treat Injuries Immediately
Vets recommend immediate treatment of suspected canine injuries to prevent joint problems as they age. Pets that suffer fractures from car accidents may require special treatment, surgical repair, or forced rest to heal properly. Disregarding any injury might only intensify in the future and cause many more undesirable situations.
To End
Taking simple proactive procedures throughout your dog’s life can help minimize discomfort and even prevent arthritis. By observing routine veterinary checkups, proper weight and diet management, and giving them joint supplements and vitamins, your pet can live a healthy, happy life with strong limbs that can take them anywhere.
