Seeing our pets in pain is always overwhelming – it can leave us feeling hopeless and upset. After all, they are part of the family! And we want to do as much as we can to help them feel better and be more comfortable. But what dogs are more prone to arthritis? How do I prepare to possibly deal with my dog’s arthritis in the future?
Well let’s go over a few basics. Usually, arthritis is more common with middle-aged and elderly dogs. In addition, large breed dogs and obese dogs are more likely to develop arthritis. However, there are other types of arthritis, so let’s dig a little deeper.
Rheumatoid Arthritis in dogs
This type of arthritis is caused by the dog’s immune system attacking its joints. It is progressive, with the damage and inflammation worsening over time, causing pain and deformity. Rheumatoid Arthritis usually affects middle-aged dogs, but has a higher chance of affecting younger dogs than other types of arthritis. It is believed that RA has a major genetic component – about 1 in 100 dogs have RA. Here are a couple breeds more prone to Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Shetland Sheep Dog
Osteoarthritis in dogs
Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and it is a more common type of arthritis. It affects 1 in 5 dogs. The older your pup gets, the more likely they will develop arthritis due to normal wear and tear on their joints. However, dogs who are overweight or in large breed classes are more likely to get more serious cases at younger ages than normal. Active or working dogs will most likely develop osteoarthritis in the future as well. See the list below for breeds more prone to osteoarthritis:
- Labrador Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Alaskan Malamute
- Golden Retriever
- Old English Sheepdog
- Saint Bernard
- Bulldogs and Pit Bulls
- Catahoula Cur Dog
How CBD and Other Factors Can Help
Don’t lose hope! There are a few things we can do to help our pups with arthritis. First, there are some things we can do for our dogs around the house.
- Help your dog get up steps, onto a bed, or in/out of your car with a ramp or pet steps. Help ease the impact on their joints!
- Improve traction throughout the house so your pup isn’t slipping and sliding. Easy fix: get a few secure rugs to place around busy areas (top & bottom of stairs, in the living room, etc.)
- Get a comfy, supportive bed to help ease joints and bones. Heated beds are also a great option!
- Think about elevated dog bowls = less strain on their body (especially if they are a large breed)
Next, here are various ways we can help their bodies!
- Slim them down. Extra weight places extra strain on joints, worsening the pain of arthritis.
- Regular, gentle exercise. You might think your dog doesn’t need the exercise, but it is a must on your to-do list to keep your pup moving and from stiffening up. Try exercise that is controlled, gentle, low-impact, and short in duration.
- Canine massage. It eases sore muscles lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. Not to mention you’ll get a huge smile from your pup for the extra attention!
- Acupuncture – it stimulates the release of the body’s own pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory substances
- Purchase or DIY a heating pad – they relieve your dog’s aches
Last but not least, think about getting your dog on some natural supplements. A lot of the time, pharmaceutical pain meds are recommended for your dog, but these can have harmful side effects on your dog’s organs and body over time. Think about looking into natural alternatives! A few great supplements for supporting healthy joints are Glucosamine and Chondroitin. These two enhance the cartilage between the joints and can help halt the degeneration of the cartilage and help the body rebuild it.
In case you haven’t heard, CBD is also a great natural alternative to help your dog’s arthritis. CBD has been shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is also an antioxidant (destroying free-radicals and preventing disease).
Here at CannaBiDog, we have the best of both worlds in our Joint Formula chewable tablet. It contains CBD Rich Hemp Oil, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin, the perfect melody of joint supporting and pain-relieving supplements.
Even though it is hard to predict whether or not your furry friend will have arthritis, there are a few ways we can help them live a happier, healthier life.
Get them started on natural health supplements today! Regular exercise and weight management play huge roles in your dog’s life too! Down the road when your dog gets older and can develop arthritis, there are steps we can take to make their life less painful and more comfortable then as well. There is always hope!