Joint health is a topic often discussed because of it’s prevalence in many breeds. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis affects one in five dogs.1 This disease is progressive, and can cause significant pain and limit your dog’s mobility. The condition is most common in senior dogs, but dogs can be affected at any age, especially if they have a joint issue that predisposes them to arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis diagnosed in dogs. This inflammatory condition causes an affected dog’s cartilage to degenerate, resulting in friction between the joint bones. As a concerned and conscientious dog parent, you want to prevent your furry family member from suffering joint pain. Keep reading to learn if your pup is predisposed to arthritis, and how to help manage this condition and to keep your dog’s joints healthy.
Puppy Joint Health:
Puppies are basically little bags of bones until their joints have fully grown and fused. If you over-exercise a growing puppy, or allow big jumps and a lot of stair climbing, you can damage their developing joints/bones and cause early arthritis or even hip/elbow dysplasia. When the joint is constantly over-extended, the cartilage doesn’t form properly – and the result can be hip/joint issues.
This is an x-ray showing how much growing and developing a puppy’s bone/joint structure requires. It’s a great visual & I think it really helps families to understand the importance of monitoring activity in a young dogs’ life. Each joint fuses/matures at a different age; the hips/pelvis is actually mature at 18 months! Below is a graphic showing the age at which each different joint is fused, which is the biggest reason why we recommend spay/neuter at 1.5-2 years old. The dog is still growing until that time frame, and there is a lot of research indicating hormones aid in joint development.
At what age should I start my dog on a joint supplement?
Joint supplements should be started as early as possible in dogs predisposed to arthritis. You can safely give joint supplements to puppies as young as 8 weeks of age. Talk to your veterinarian to determine whether your dog is a good candidate for joint supplements, and they will recommend the best product for your furry companion. Is my dog at risk for arthritis?
All dogs are susceptible to arthritis. However, certain factors can predispose your dog to the condition, such as:
- Breed — Certain breeds, such as miniature poodles, German shepherd dogs, Labrador retrievers, Great Danes, and golden retrievers, are predisposed to joint developmental issues, giving them a greater arthritis risk than other dog breeds.
- Weight — Overweight and obese dogs have a higher arthritis risk than those who maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight strains dogs’ joints, and fat cells create a chronic low level inflammation throughout their body.
- Nutritional history — Dogs fed inappropriately for their breed and life stage have a higher joint issue risk that can lead to arthritis.
- Abnormal joint development — Dogs affected by conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patella’s, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are predisposed to arthritis.
- Injury — Dogs who have suffered a joint, ligament, tendon, or bony injury have an increased arthritis risk.
How do I know if my dog has arthritis?
Dogs are extremely good at telling you when they are hungry, when they need to go for a walk, and when they want to play, but they aren’t so adept at telling you when they have joint pain. Signs of arthritis can be subtle, making detection difficult. You may believe your dog will limp if they have joint pain, but this isn’t always the case. Keep an eye out for these arthritis signs:
- Reduced mobility — Joint pain can cause your dog to have mobility issues. If your dog is experiencing arthritis pain, they may demonstrate these signs:
- Reluctance or refusal to jump on or off surfaces
- Difficulty navigating stairs
- Moving stiffly, especially after resting
- Difficulty rising from a resting position
- Reduced activity — Joint issues can cause your dog to be less active. If your dog is experiencing arthritis pain, they may demonstrate these signs:
- Slower pace when on outings
- Increased time spent resting or sleeping
- Reduced interest in interacting with people and other dogs
- Temperament changes — Joint pain can cause your dog to exhibit behavioral changes. If your dog is experiencing arthritis pain, they may demonstrate these signs:
- Irritability around people and other dogs
- Uncharacteristic aggression
- Irritability when handled
What can I give my dog for joint pain?
Numerous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meds and pain-relieving medications are available from your veterinarian to help relieve dogs’ joint pain. Some veterinarians may also recommend beneficial joint supplements such as2:
Glucosamine — Glucosamine is a cartilage matrix building block, which stimulates cartilage cell growth. This supplement also provides anti-inflammatory effects, and studies have demonstrated that the results were similar to drug therapy.
- Chondroitin — Chondroitin inhibits cartilage-destroying enzymes and may inhibit joint-targeting inflammatory mediators. This supplement is commonly used in conjunction with glucosamine. Triacta Joint Supplement is one we use often.
- Turmeric — Turmeric inhibits the proliferation of certain inflammatory mediators to decrease joint inflammation and is especially helpful when used in conjunction with other treatment modalities.
- Omega-3 fatty acids — Omega-3 fatty acids support joint health and have significant anti-inflammatory effects. Our favorite is Grizzly’s Liquid Joint Aid.
What else can I do to help my dog with arthritis?
Arthritis treatment is typically more effective when managed in a multi-pronged manner. In addition to medications and supplements, other treatment strategies include:
- Weight management — Maintaining a lean body conformation is crucial to manage a dog’s arthritis effectively. If your dog is overweight, consult your veterinarian to devise a safe weight-loss program.
- Physical therapy — Regular, controlled exercise is important for arthritis management. Passive stretching, range-of-motion exercises, controlled obstacle navigation, swimming, and underwater treadmill walking can decrease an arthritic dog’s pain and improve mobility. These exercises can also help overweight dogs lose weight.
How can I help my arthritic dog at home?
If your dog has arthritis, modifications to your home environment can help improve their quality of life. Tips include:
- Making sleeping surfaces as comfortable as possible by providing an orthopedic or memory foam bed
- Raising your dog’s water and food bowls to prevent them from crouching uncomfortably to access meals
- Providing ramps to help your dog access elevated surfaces and vehicles
- Placing nonskid rugs on slick floors to prevent your dog from slipping
- Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed short to reduce strain on their joints and increase traction
Feeding your dog a healthy diet is critical to help keep their joints healthy and pain-free.
Sources:
1.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dealing-with-canine-arthritis/. 2.https://www.dvm360.com/view/joint-supplements-dogs-helpful-vs-hype.