by Felix + Fetch
Health
September is Animal Pain Awareness Month and joint pain and stiffness is something many dogs suffer from. It is hard to watch your pup be so uncomfortable, wishing you could take it away. Try these 5 tips to help soothe your dog's joint pain.
Your pup might enjoy a massage which stimulates blood flow to the muscles. There are certified dog massage therapists that could be a great option for soothing your pet's pain.
Your dog's joints could be worsened by their weight, which puts pressure on their joints. Losing weight takes the pressure off of your dog's joints and bones. Make sure your pet gets a well-balanced diet.
Stairs are often a struggle for pets that suffer from joint pain and stiffness. Provide your pet with a ramp to climb on and off the couch or bed, or even down stairs to get outside.
Make sure your pet's area is easily accessible and comfortable. Provide them with a well padded bedding and make sure the room is not super cold, as it can hurt their joints further. Having carpet is always better than wooden floors which are hard on your pet's joints and can allow for slipping accidents.
Keeping your pet mobile is super important. Non weight baring exercises like swimming are great options to help them get movement in pain free. Always make sure to let your pet go at their own pace. You can even search for a pet "rehab center" which could provide your pet with proper exercise to help their pain levels and keep them moving.
We highly recommend picking up some of our Joint Strength Chews to help your dog feel like their younger self again. They help with hip and joint aches and inflammation as well. Ingredients such as glucosamine, dried yucca schidigera extract and MSM possess many healing properties such as alleviating arthritis symptoms, speed up recovery after exercise, decrease joint pain and reduce inflammation. In addition always talk to your vet if you notice your dog is in pain.