When you adopt your canine young, you might not think of the possibility of them contracting arthritis. For people and pets, we might associate arthritis with the senior ones. However, that’s not true, as all canine breeds of any age can experience arthritis. Therefore, slowing down the effects or preventing arthritis should be done even when they’re young and don’t seem susceptible to it yet.
Comparable to how humans endure arthritis, it can also be very agonizing for your pet and even impair their quality of life. The fact that arthritis does not have a cure is already a scary thought for pet owners. Fortunately, there are easy ways to protect your pet from this joint illness.
Top Five Ways to Protect Your Dog From Arthritis
While arthritis is a usual issue in pets, this doesn’t indicate your pet needs to experience a life of discomfort and pain. There are routines pet parents can do earlier to prevent or prolong the onset of the stated condition. We have listed five reliable tips below to help prevent arthritis and save your pet before becoming a victim of this joint problem.
1. Keep them fit
Obesity can strain dogs’ joints excessively, resulting in faster wear and tear. Weight loss can help prevent arthritis and ease the severity of signs in pets diagnosed with arthritis. Maintaining your dog’s healthy weight and body condition their whole life puts them in a healthy and balanced state and can help keep arthritis at bay.
2. Feed nutritionally sound diets early
Pet parents that feed way too much food or too rich a diet can cause a dog to put on weight faster, which can also be too much for their bones to handle. This results in orthopedic problems that can trigger arthritis when neglected. Feeding dog foods designed for your pet’s breed can help maintain their correct development and prevent joint problems.
In addition, do not forget your pet’s preventive medications and puppy vaccinations to maintain their general health and protect them from diseases and life-threatening parasites.
3. Exercise the right way
Pets need exercise, but the right amount and type of exercise can guarantee proper development of bone growth. Running too much on hard surfaces can affect your dog’s bone growth, primarily in their hip joints. Consider exposing your pet dog to swimming while young, as this is an easy activity for their joints. Familiarizing them with swimming will make their workouts easier, especially when they become seniors or get identified with arthritis.
Always consider your pet’s physique before involving them in an exercise program. Take your pet to professionals that specialize in surgery for dogs if you notice fractures or strange motions in their joints after doing an activity or exercise to avoid more injuries.
4. Visit the vet regularly
Regular visits to a veterinarian, including their annual or routine examinations, must be observed frequently. This ensures early medical diagnosis and treatment planning for signs of arthritis or other issues that may result in arthritis. Also, you may take this chance to get a wellness plan for your pet so you can get discounts whenever you take your pet in for regular vet care. You may browse the web for more information on pet wellness plans.
5. Avoid activities that include leaping into the air
This sets them up for injury and makes irregular weight loads in their joints and muscles. According to a study, canines who regularly go after fetch toys from ages 12 to 24 risk developing hip dysplasia. Furthermore, when dogs of any age and type leap into the air, this can cause injury to their joints or spine. Of course, this doesn’t forbid your fur baby from playing, but always observe moderation to avoid injuries and unanticipated accidents.
