The body structure of dogs is different from that of humans, but in some aspects, we are all similar. For example, humans can suffer from arthritis, and dogs are the same. When you notice the following conditions in your dog, it is likely that your dog has arthritis.
Manifestations of arthritis in dogs:
1. Frequently licking a certain part of the body
When you find that your dog always licks a certain joint on its body frequently, no matter when or where it is, or even sometimes, these places cause hair loss due to excessive licking, but after observation, it is found that there is no trauma, then it is very likely that the dog is suffering from arthritis.
2. Stiffness in activities after waking up
When a dog starts to move after waking up from sleep, its limbs or various parts of the body will be relatively stiff. It can be clearly seen that the dog's limbs are not flexible. Especially some older dogs need to stand up slowly and move around after waking up. That is also a sign that your dog has arthritis.
3. Shaking
Dogs will make some other movements when eating. If you observe carefully, you will find that its body may tremble slightly, or it may shake its body very frequently. This is also one of the manifestations of arthritis
4. Joint swelling
You can check the dog's paws to see if the joints in its paws have become swollen or fattened. This is most likely due to swollen joints. If you try to touch it with your hands, the dog will also make bursts of low howling sounds due to pain.
Causes of arthritis in dogs
1. Congenital underdevelopment of joints
Arthritis in dogs does not only exist in older dogs. Congenital joint dysplasia and rheumatoid arthritis are more common in puppies. Rheumatoid arthritis is common in adult dogs, while degenerative arthritis is common in older dogs.
2. Due to bad exercise and living habits,
training the dog to stand or walk upright frequently, or the dog has the habit of jumping on the sofa or bed, will increase joint pressure and easily deform the dog's joints. Excessive exercise will cause increased wear and tear on the joints, and excessive wear and tear will lead to arthritis. If the dog is overweight, it will also increase the burden on the joints of the limbs, cause joint wear, and induce arthritis.
Arthritis may not be considered a serious disease in the eyes of the owner, but for dogs, arthritis is unpleasant. Although it is not life-threatening, it will make every movement of the dog become a torture. In the face of endless pain, how can a dog's life become happy and easy?
In fact, by the time the dog actually suffers from arthritis and becomes ill, it is already too late. What we want to do is prevention and treatment, so what should we do when preventing?
How to prevent arthritis in dogs:
1. Regular physical examinations
If you want to prevent arthritis in dogs in advance, you must take your dog for regular physical examinations, test the condition of the dog's joints, and follow the doctor's instructions. This way, you can detect the signs of arthritis in dogs early and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
2. Keep warm
In daily life, do not let your dog sleep on the ground for a long time. It is important to keep the dog's living environment warm. Humidity and coldness will also make the dog's joints feel uncomfortable. If the dog has already suffered from arthritis, the cold floor will only aggravate the pain in the dog's joints. You can choose some kennels with strong support for your dog. If necessary, you can also use a raised kennel to keep the environment around it dry and warm.
3. Moderate exercise
Owners can develop a reasonable exercise plan based on their dog's breed and weight to avoid the dog standing and walking upright for a long time, and to avoid the dog's joint damage due to excessive exercise.
4. Control weight
If a dog is overweight, it will increase the burden on the joints of the limbs, cause joint wear, and induce arthritis. While controlling the dog's weight and reducing the burden on the limb joints, it can also ensure that the dog is healthier and more beautiful.
But if you want to control your dog's weight, diet is very important. We can choose low-fat, high-satisfaction dog food for dogs.
5. Pay attention to the intake of nutrients
The growth of dogs is inseparable from various nutrients, and the same goes for joints. If you want to prevent your dog from getting arthritis, you must supplement your dog with an appropriate amount of calcium in a timely manner so that your dog's joints can be fully nourished and protected.
Conclusion: Does your dog have arthritis?
