
Darla Rewers, DVM, of the Ancient Arts Holistic Veterinary Team. Arthritis medication can cause damage to a dog’s internal organs, explains Dr. While your vet knows best, occasionally the pain medications prescribed to dogs suffering from arthritis may have negative effects. “The diagnosis of arthritis should always be made by a veterinarian.” Natural Treatments for Arthritis Pain in Dogs: Exploring Your Options “Even the most obvious signs of arthritis can also be the result of other medical conditions,” Luna-Repose points out. If pet parents think their dogs may have arthritis, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Pet parents may also notice a change in temperament in arthritic dogs-particularly when they are touched in sensitive areas. Some dogs may have different responses to their arthritis in hotter temperatures or cooler temperatures. These may include sleeping more than usual, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, depression, or poor appetite. Jennifer Luna-Repose of Alternatives For Animals in Lafayette, California, notes that other signs of arthritis in dogs are less obvious. Dogs with arthritis may no longer jump on or off furniture and they may be reluctant to climb the stairs or chase a ball in the backyard.ĭr. Clay Bernard, TCVM, of Even Flow Veterinary and Acupuncture in Austin, Texas tells petMD, the signs of arthritis can depend on “the dog's size, age, chronicity of the condition, tolerance for discomfort, his or her immune system, and the extent of his or her activity level.”īernard points out that dog parents may notice signs of arthritis including pets who limp or are slower to rise after lying down and less tolerant of long walks. How Can You Tell If Your Dog Has Arthritis?ĭr.

But if you’re searching for an alternative to prescription pain medications, there are natural treatments that may help pet owners manage arthritis pain in their dogs. Dogs suffering from arthritis may experience mild discomfort or severe pain but the condition gets worse over time, which makes treatment a priority for pet parents.Īs part of their treatment plan, veterinarians will often recommend certain pet prescription pain relief and arthritis management medications or, possibly, a change in diet to help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis in canines. This painful ailment is caused by abnormal changes in a dog’s joints and results in chronic inflammation. Arthritis (or more specifically, osteoarthritis) in dogs is a common condition that occurs in many canines as a result of injury, developmental disorders, or the wear and tear of aging.
