An old dog is a beloved dog – or at least that’s how it should be. There’s just something remarkably sweet about senior dogs. They’ve matured enough to lose some of their most challenging behaviors, but they never lose their exuberance for life and joy for being with you as often as possible.
Every dog lover should be so lucky to experience the sheer bliss of life with a senior canine companion at least once, if not many times.
Unfortunately, keeping a canine through his or her golden years certainly can come with challenges. Spinal issues, hip dysplasia, and arthritis can each make it more difficult for your senior sweetie to stay upright, mobile, and enjoying life.
The good news is that a broad range of effective treatments for arthritis exists. The key to treating canine arthritis is a twofold process: detect it early and treat it as holistically as possible, and you stand a better chance of keeping you your furry friend happy for a longer period of time.
Although prescription medications for canine arthritis do exist, they are not without side effects. This is just one of the reasons that many pet owners are turning to natural solutions. From pool time to perna canaliculus, these natural remedies may relieve your dog’s arthritis without the need for drugs.
Retrievers and other larger dogs are unfortunately prone to osteoarthritis, particularly as they age. Similar to the condition in humans, this is due to a degeneration of the cartilage and bone in joints, causing pain and stiffness. While mild arthritis may not overly impact a dog, more severe cases can be difficult for both you and your pet. If your canine friend suffers from this condition, here are some useful methods to help manage it.
Swimming
Swimming has gone to the dogs lately, and with good reason: it’s healthy, fun, and beloved by dogs all across the United States. Dog owners who spend a significant amount of time online will probably recognize this type of treatment best in the sweet story of John Unger and his senior dog Schoep. The pair became temporarily internet famous in 2013 when an image of John cradling his sleeping companion in his arms while floating in their nearby lake first circulated.
Like other dogs that benefit from swimming, Schoep, too, experienced a reduction in pain and immense comfort from swimming with his owner.
But how and why does swimming help? The answer has to do with your dog’s natural weight. The buoyancy of water reduces pressure on joints, while the mere action of swimming keeps the bones, muscles, and tendons that support the joints strong.
Just as with humans, swimming is an excellent, low-impact workout that by its very nature won’t cause additional wear and tear.
Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are two of the most misunderstood natural arthritis treatments today. This stems from confusion around what both substances actually are and how they act in your dog’s body. Both occur naturally within the body, and both act as building blocks or precursors to cartilage and other cushiony materials in and around the joints.
Perna canaliculus supplements, sourced from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, are an excellent source of both glucosamine and chondroitin.
To be clear, neither glucosamine nor chondroitin has the ability to correct damage that has already occurred. They simply don’t work that way. When taken together, what research does show is that they can slow or reduce the speed at which your dog’s joints degenerate in the first place. That reduces future damage and helps to stave off mobility issues down the road.
Omega-3 Supplements
There’s a significant amount of research that shows how omega-3 fatty acids impact the body, both human and canine alike. This essential amino acid, found in salmon and other oily fishes, plays a crucial role in your dog’s health. Research also shows that it may have anti-inflammatory effects – perfect for dogs that are experiencing the typical inflammation found in osteoarthritis.
Unlike other animals, dogs don’t create their own omega-3 within the body, so it’s vital that they take it in via their diet. Unfortunately, omega-3 fatty acids are also notoriously unstable and tend to rot fairly quickly when added to kibble. Because of this, you should never assume that your dog is getting enough omega-3 simply because he’s eating a supplemented kibble.
Instead, feed your dog fresh baked salmon, or give a dog-safe liquid supplement each day. If you choose to give a supplement, see your vet and have them calculate the exact dose for your pet first – too much omega-3 may produce diarrhea in your pooch.
DL-Phenylalanine
This chemical name might sound daunting, but DL-phenylalanine, sometimes referred to as DLPA, is actually something both humans and their canine friends require for good health. An essential amino acid like omega-3, this nootropic enhances memory function and cognitive ability while also inhibiting specific enzymes that destroy endorphins.
How does this help a dog with arthritis? The answer is simple: endorphins are the body’s way of reducing pain. More endorphins in the body should theoretically mean less pain, and maybe even a better mood, too.
Because there is some evidence that DLPA may increase excitability, it’s best to give it only under the supervision of a vet. Never give your dog human DLPA as the doses are quite different, and it is possible to overdose on the supplement. While research into side effects is mostly within the human realm, it’s logical to assume that dogs would most likely experience a range of the same side effects, too.
Diagnose Your Dog’s Arthritis Early On
The better you understand your pet’s ailment, the sooner you can seek help and treatment. Especially with older dogs, watch their behavior closely to see if they are displaying any symptoms:
- Limping or favoring one leg.
- Stiffness and slow movement, especially when first getting up.
- Hesitating before jumping.
- Less active or energetic in general.
Keep Their Weight Down
Overweight dogs are more prone to arthritis and experience its symptoms more severely, since the extra weight puts more strain on the joints. If your pet commonly overeats, consider changing to a lighter diet-formulated dog food, which replaces some of the calories with filling fiber.
Walking & Running
Regular but not overly strenuous exercise can help curb your dog’s symptoms by keeping the joints limber, as well as help your pet maintain a healthy weight.
Medication & Other Options
There are painkillers which are effective for dogs, though some of these may have short- or long-term side-effects and risks. Vitamins and herbal remedies may also help, but some treatments which are effective for humans are toxic for canines. Be sure to thoroughly discuss any drugs or supplements with your veterinarian before giving them to your dog.
It can be as painful for the owners as for the dog, to see their pet hurting. Fortunately, though arthritis in canines cannot be entirely cured, your dog’s arthritis treated, allowing your dog to lead a long and happy life.
Turmeric
It’s what gives curry its beautiful, rusty yellow color, and it may help to reduce your dog’s inflammation, too. Often referred to as its scientific name, curcumin, the attractive orange spice has been the subject of extensive studies in both human and animal populations. How it works remains under scrutiny, but scientists know that it inhibits all of the following inflammation or pain-inducing chemicals in the body:
- Phospholipase
- Lipoxygenase
- Cyclooxygenase 2
- Leukotrienes
- Thromboxane
- Prostaglandins
- Collagenase
- Elastase
- Tumor necrosis factor
Of these, the inhibition of prostaglandins and collagenase are perhaps the most important. Prostaglandins are directly responsible for signaling pain to the brain, and collagenase is a major component found in connective tissue – including skin, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
If you’re curious about the best way to give turmeric, there doesn’t seem to be one discrete answer. Some pet owners simply sprinkle it into raw or wet food diets, while others take the easy route and give capsules or turmeric-loaded dog treats instead.
Whether you choose to take the route of simple diet and exercise adjustments, or you go with prescription medication, the most important thing you can do for your arthritic dog is to address the issue early and often. Proper maintenance can significantly slow destruction of the joints, adding what could be many years to your best friend’s life – years he’ll enjoy and look forward to with exuberance each and every morning.