5 ways to ease your dog’s joint pain this winter
Dr Felicia Tam is the resident PAW by Blackmores veterinarian. She has a four-year old ex-racing greyhound, called Nala and a five-year old rescue cat Cooper.
Like older humans, older dogs are more susceptible to suffer from arthritis or achy joints with a change in season, particularly in the cooler months. Regardless of age, breed or size, arthritis is a painful inflammatory condition which can affect every pet. Here are some easy ways to alleviate and ease joint pain for your furry friend over the winter.
1. Keep your pooch toasty
If your pooch has sore muscles, or a history of arthritis or reoccurring pains, it’s best to keep them as warm as possible (as some dogs do not tend to complain or show symptoms until the pain is quite severe). By letting your pet experience colder environments, it may trigger an existing condition to flare up, which can be an avoidable painful experience for your dog. Invest in a woolly winter coat and waterproof gear to keep your pet comfortable, warm and dry in the cold and wet weather.
2. Get the body moving
Similar to humans, it’s not uncommon that in the winter months your pooch may lack motivation to leave the warm house for time outside, however it is important for their joints to encourage them to keep up with regular exercise. Get their bodies moving by taking your furry friend on gentle walks, which is great for dog’s cardiovascular fitness, as well for retaining supple joints without too much pressure.
3. Invest in a pet bed
Make sure your pooch has a cosy corner to cuddle up in as the temperature starts to drop. Dogs can endure the temperature drop, however the warmth of your dog can depend on their size, coat, breed and even age. To help hinder the winter chill, invest in a pet bed, an extra fleece blanket or elevate their bed to conserve heat, which may relieve achy joints and swelling – it will also make it easier for your pet to get moving after their rest.
4. Show off your dog’s waist Line
To help make sure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life it is essential to ensure they are at optimal weight. Make sure you’re doing your part by monitoring their food intake and ensuring they’re receiving correct nutritional requirements for dogs their size, age and breed. By being vigilant with their diet, it will allow your dog to be active with comfort, prevent early onset of age-related arthritis and to suffer less painful symptoms. A great way to monitor this is by splitting your dog’s meal into two meals with smaller portions, at both morning and night.
5. Natural joint health
There are a multitude of natural pain relief treatments available which can really make a huge difference to your pooch’s joint inflammation and arthritis pain. Try canine physiotherapy which will help to develop strength and mobility, to improve your pet’s quality of life.
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