Dog arthritis
Humans are not the only one suffering from arthritis; our canine friends can also be plagued by this ailment. Just as in humans, dog arthritis is most common in older dogs and young dogs are almost never affected. Arthritis is a painful disease that destroys the joints and causes constant inflammations. If your dog seems to suffer from pain in its hips, neck, shoulders, elbows and/or back, it may be dog arthritis. Do not attempt do self diagnose this because arthritis symptoms can be confused with a series of other health problems that require different treatments. Always consult a veterinarian to obtain a proper diagnosis.

If you know that your dog has dog arthritis, there are several things that you can do to improve his or her health. Some of the suggestions below have not been scientifically studied, they are home remedies passed on from one satisfied dog owner to another.

Dog arthritis tip # 1 – Check your dog’s diet
Try to keep your dog’s diet as ”clean” as possible without a myriad of different preservatives, colour additives, artificial taste products and so on. A dog does not need a lot of fat and carbohydrates. It is true that dogs are omnivore, but low-fat meat should make up most of their diet. Many dog owners have noticed how dry dog food with a high grain content seems to increase joint pain in dogs suffering from dog arthritis. If you cannot find commercial dog food that fulfils your the requirements of your dog, you may have to prepare your own dog food at home.

Dog arthritis tip # 2 – Add the right vegetables
Some dogs with dog arthritis react well to certain vegetables. Celery and carrots are for instance known to have a beneficial effect on some dogs with arthritis. If your dog does not like the taste of vegetables, you can mix them with meat using a food processor. Onions should always be avoided.

Dog arthritis tip # 3 – Supplements
Many humans with arthritis experience a definite alleviation of joint pain when they consume sufficient amounts of glucosamine supplements on a daily basis. It is therefore not hard to understand why dog owners who noticed the same joint pain in their dogs began to feed their canine companions glucosamine supplements as well. As far as we know, glucosamine supplements are perfectly safe for dogs. When a dog develops dog arthritis, the cartilage structures in the body are gradually destroyed and inflammation sets in. Glucosamine is needed for cartilage formation, maintenance and repair, and that is why glucosamine supplements may be beneficial for dogs with dog arthritis.