Notes

An Arthritic Dog's Walk
Can You Walk Your Dog with Arthritis?

By the age of eight, 80% of dogs suffer from arthritis, and 20% as young as one.

The statistics indicate that many dog parents will have to manage arthritis at some point in their dog's life. puritypreferred.com doesn't mean your dog can't be active because of a diagnosis. Changing up the routine is all it takes.

This article explores what arthritis is in dogs, whether you can walk an arthritic dog, and how you can help your arthritic dog.

Causes of Arthritis in Dogs

An arthritis attack results in stiff joints and painful inflammation. The disease is often found in older dogs, but also occurs in puppies after joint and bone issues.

You pet's joints have a thin layer of cartilage covering the bony surfaces. The two surfaces are lubricated with joint fluid, making it easier for them to slide over one another. Dogs with arthritis experience damage to their cartilage. The bone surfaces are less smooth and rub together.

Your dog's discomfort and further cartilage damage result from this condition. Increasing friction causes new bone to form around joints, which results in rigidity and limitations in movement. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Despite its prevalence in nearly all joints, arthritis is more likely to affect the spine, hips, and knees.

The Signs of Arthritis Pain in Dogs
Even though dogs can mask their pain, there are certain signs to watch for. These include:

Reluctant to walk
Yelping when touched
Lameness
Feeling pain when getting up
Licking affected joints
Loss of muscle mass (atrophy)
Limping, especially at night and after exercise
A hunched posture
Visit your veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may be suffering from arthritis.


Should I Walk My Arthritic Dog?

Yes.

Walking your arthritic dog has its benefits. By preventing weakening and discomfort of muscles, your pet's lean muscle mass and muscle mass are maintained. Sedentary lifestyles cause stiff joints. Regular exercise relieves these symptoms.

If your dog is arthritic, you need to take special care when walking him.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Weight gain puts more stress on joints. For overweight dogs, consider a weight loss plan that includes vegetables that are suitable for dogs.

If the dog weighs 50 pounds and is just five pounds overweight, it is putting 10 percent more stress on already damaged joints. In turn, this leads to an increasing number of activities, less exercise, weight gain, and even more pain.

Consider the Temperature
It is important to keep your walks short during rainy, wintry days when your arthritis dog is in more pain.

Massage your dog's joints and muscles using topicals containing CBD. This will help loosen stiff joints and increase blood flow in the muscles. It is also important to avoid extreme heat, which can lead to heat exhaustion no matter how healthy the dog is.

A cool but not freezing day is the best time to walk your dog around the neighborhood. If the walk becomes too strenuous and you need a ride, have a bottle of water and a cellphone available.

Take Things Slow
Walk at your dogs pace. Start with shorter walks during cooler times of the day. You don't have to race, so take it slow. Taking your dog on several short walks a day will help strengthen their muscles if they can't run far.

Don't force your dog to keep going if he or she is showing signs of fatigue. Keep in mind, this is not your time, it's the dogs. Showing love and patience can go a long way during these times.

Get a Mobility Device
Mobility aids can be helpful for dogs with arthritis. Support is provided for better walks by a sling, dog wheelchair, harness, or a beach towel draped under a dog's body.

When handling arthritic pets, do not use a collar because they put stress on the neck. A retractable leash provides little control over speed, so you should avoid it.

Warm-Up
It takes only a minute or two for a dog with arthritis to move easier after gentle play. Also, it helps reduce muscle injuries, cramps, and sprains, and gradually speeds up their heart rate.

Try offering dogs some tasty and healthy CBD chews as a little incentive. Positive warm-up exercise experiences make people happy. Glucosamine, noni, and chondroitin are among the ingredients in Hip & Joint Chews for dogs that help support healthy joints.

Put warm towels from the dryer on the dog's legs or moist and warm towels around its legs. If you wish, you can use heating pads on their lowest setting with a towel between the dog and the pad. When using a heat source, make sure it is cool enough to touch comfortably.

Consider Other Physical Activities
As well as walks, you can still enjoy plenty of low-impact activities together, such as:

Swimming is a non-weight-bearing exercise that can be used to increase a dog's range of motion and build muscle. Look for swimming pools, canine-friendly hydrotherapy centers, public beaches, or dog parks with water features in your area.
Finding a level trail is the key to a short hike. Make sure the dog is comfortable with a few short hikes to start.
You can keep your dog active and entertained indoors with basic nose work activities such as finding treats, hide and seek, or interactive toys, even when the weather isn't the best.
Keeping your arthritic pet active and having fun is possible

Be careful not to dwell on what your dog cannot do. Imagine all the fun things you can still do together. Keeping your arthritic dog active keeps them healthy and happy!

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