If your older dog isn't jumping up onto furniture the way he once did or if he seems less interested in running and playing don't assume that it is just because he is old and tired. It could well be that your dog is living with joint pain, like arthritis, that makes moving about downright painful.
In fact, if you have a large breed dog, he may have been in pain for a number of years without you ever knowing it. These dogs have a high pain threshold and don't let on that moving is difficult until it becomes truly unbearable. What you may have observed is that your dog seems slow and stiff in the mornings and more agile toward evening. Again, this is not something to just be expected with old age, it can be a sign that his joints are inflamed.
Dog owners who suspect that their companion is suffering should visit their vet for an X-ray. This picture will give the best insight into what causes joint pain for your dog. From the X-ray the vet can determine if the bones are too loose (dysplasia), damaged through injury or if they were malformed from birth. However, regardless of what causes joint pain for your animal, the steps toward relieving that pain will look very similar.
• If your dog is overweight, the first thing to do is alleviate some of the pressure on painful joints by getting his weight down to a healthy level.
• Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is another way to give your dog some pain relief. Walking on overgrown nails keeps your dog walking with an unnatural and painful gait.
• Believe it or not, daily walking is good for a dog with joint pain. Gentle, not vigorous, regular exercise can prevent a dog's arthritis from quickly advancing. Be aware that if your dog is panting during or just after exercise, this could be his way of telling you that his joints are aching.
• Warming pads or swimming in warm water can also make your dog feel more comfortable. A heating pad or pig-warmer placed under the dog's bed can give hours of relief. Just be careful that the pad doesn't get overly hot.
• Put your dog's food and water bowls at a higher and more comfortable level. It may be giving him pain in his spine to bend down for meals.
Knowing what causes joint pain and making adjustments to help ease joint pain are part of good pet care. Adding a high quality joint care supplement to your dog's diet can also help retard joint degeneration and ease inflammation. Look for joint health supplements from reputable suppliers like ProLabs.
Visit Prolabs Pets at http://www.prolabspets.com for all your pet care needs.
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