When a dog gets older they have a tendency to form arthritis. Arthritis occurs when you have inflammation of the joints.Some of the things that can cause this problem are earlier injuries such as torn ligaments. You will know if your dog has arthritis as they have trouble getting up from lying down, are not as willing to jump or even go for walks.

Here are some ways in which you can manage your dogs arthritis:

Controlling their weight:- As the owner you have control over what you feed your dog. Good quality food appropriate for your dog's size, breed and activity level and keep treats to a minimum. If you have doubts on what you feed your dog contact your veterinarian.

Exercise: Make sure that your dog does get regular exercise in shorter sessions this is always better than long work-outs on weekends. Warming the muscles prior to exercise and following exercise with a "warm-down" period are beneficial. Daily exercise will ensure that they maintain their correct weight.

By exercising it provides a good range of motion to the joints which in turn will limit the wear and tear on the joints. Exercises such as leashed walks, swimming or slow jogging are ideal for your dog. The programs should be catered to your dog and its needs depending on the severity of the arthritis, his weight, age, and physical condition.

Bedding: Damp and cold weather will aggravate the arthritis so keep your dog warm by providing them with a pet sweater and ensuring where they are sleeping is kept warm. There are a variety of dog beds that can help such as beds with dome-shaped, orthopedic foam distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure on joints. These help the dog by making it easier to get in and out.

Massaging: Massage your dog to help relax the muscles and provide a range of motion to the joints. Begin slowly as your dog will be in pain. Start gently kneading the muscles around the joint with your fingertips using small, circular motions. Gradually work your way out to the surrounding muscles.

Daily routine: Climbing stairs becomes difficult for arthritic dogs; it can make going outside to urinate and defecate extremely hard. Dog owners will tend to build or buy ramps, especially on stairs leading to their yard, to make it easier for their dogs to go outside.

Don't let your beloved dog suffer from arthritis there are many things that you can do as a caring owner to help them manage their pain

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Written by Gloria Gangi using tags: arthritis in dogs, dog ailments, dog arthritis, Dogs, Home, Pets, recreation