The special bed serves to relieve pressure on your dog’s painful joints and achy muscles. There are cooling beds for your hot natured friends, or warming beds to help with arthritic dogs. Many use memory foam and also have odor-neutralizing benefits.

The primary considerations for choosing a dog orthopedic bed are size, comfort, and cost. Obviously the bed has to be big enough to fit your larger dog. Some even resemble a small sofa, which might appeal to your dog even more if he is accustomed to getting comfortable on your favorite couch!

While fitting into your every day decor, orthopedic dog beds serve a greater function - keeping your ailing pet more comfortable.

Aside from hereditary conditions, most causes of arthritis can be controlled. Help keep your pet’s bones and joints healthy by giving him a good nutritional diet and moderate exercise. Although if your dog is currently suffering from the symptoms of arthritis, keep the exercise mild and provide plenty of rest time afterward.

Some pet owners give their dogs and over the counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen, or other NSAID medications. This is not advisable except under the care of a veterinarian.

A glucosamine supplement can be helpful to your arthritic dog. Glucosamine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body which helps produce and maintain cartilage in the joints. A lacking or improper growth of the cartilage is what causes arthritis, so a good supplemental does of glucosamine, along with other treatment measures, can keep your dog health, mobile and pain free.

Canine Hip Dysplasia is a painful disease that results in a weakened hip joint in dogs, which can cause painful inflammation and decreased mobility. In the past, dogs under a vets care have been given NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) medicines, but many vets are now recommending Glucosamine for this condition instead.

The word “dysplasia” means irregular growth.

Canine Hip Dysplasia is a malformation, or improper growth, of your dog’s hip. The growth makes the hip loose and wobbly and it lacks needed structure to keep your dog balanced. Over time, this could lead to your dog being lame if it is not treated.

Hip dysplasia in your dog is progressive, meaning it will get worse with time. But take heart, the disease is manageable. Larger dogs are more prone to develop canine dysplasia, but smaller breeds can be affected as well. Even cats are not immune, they risk a similar condition: Feline Hip Dysplasia.

Symptoms and Signs

You will likely notice a difference in your dog’s behavior and patterns:

• difficulty climbing and descending stairs
• slowness in standing, sitting, or laying down
• increased fatigue after exercise
• persistent pain may make your dog act differently

There is a predisposition for the disorder among larger breeds. Genetics, diet, and puppy care can all be a factor in whether or not your dog might develop canine hip dysplasia.

Dog arthritis is degenerative - meaning that the cartilage that protects and cushions the joint slowly wears away. When this happens, the bones actually rub against each other - this us what causes the symptoms of arthritis in dogs.

Arthritis primarily affects older dogs, but it can also dogs that are overweight or inactive dogs.

Arthritis is a very complex disorder that affects different dogs in different ways. In addition to Hip Dysplasia and Degenerative Joint Disease, the most common type of arthritis dogs experience is osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Dog Arthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that progresses over time. Over a period of years, there is a gradual loss of cartilage in the joints.

While it is believed that canine arthritis is genetic, osteoarthritis is caused by normal wear and tear on the joints as your dog ages.

However, it can also be caused by another condition that affects the joints such as elbow or hip dysplasia. If this is the case, the condition is diagnosed as a secondary degenerative joint disease.

Symptoms of Dog Arthritis

The symptoms you’ll see in your dog depends on the severity of the disease.

At first you might notice an altered gait, perhaps even some limping as you dog attempts to put his weight on his healthier limbs.

Other symptoms include

• stiffness
• difficulty getting up or lying
• difficulty sitting down
• inability to jump
• difficult climbing stairs
• changes in appetite
• behavioral changes

Treatments

Dog arthritis is treated in different ways depending on which symptoms your dog has. You should consult with your veterinarian for a diagnoses and suggested treatment plans.

In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) medicines may be effective - although there is some disagreement among experts as to whether these drugs are safe for your dog. On a long-term basis, most agree that this is not the route to go - which is why you need to talk to your vet.

In more severe cases, surgery for arthritis related conditions is becoming more common - and effective.

Glucosoamine is an effective natural supplement that you can give your dog to help with mild to moderate arthritis symptoms. It plays a role in the production, maintenance, and repair of cartilage

In most cases, the joints produce sufficient glucosamine on their own to keep cartilage in good shape. But if they don’t, the joint dries out, degenerates, cracks, and could even completely wear away.

If this goes untreated, the joints then become swollen, stiff, tender, and painful. This is what’s known as osteoarthritis.

How To Prevent Arthritis in Dogs

To promote healthy functioning joints, there are a few natural supplements that are proven to be useful.

These include:

• glucosamine
• chondroitin
• and Omega 3 supplements (or fish oil)

You should try to avoid dog food uses ingredients such as animal by-products and preservatives. Look for 100% natural and nutritious human-grade ingredients.

Allow your dog to get optimum rest, especially after exercise, as this is the time your dog’s body needs to recover. An osteopathic bed may also help your dog rest better and experience less discomfort from arthritis disease.

Some symptoms of arthritis you might see in your pet are stiffness when your dog wakes from sleeping, hesitancy to walk, limping, and difficulty rising. If these or other symptoms persist for more than a day or two, you should visit your veterinarian.

While there is no cure for arthritis, there are different methods of treatment. Once a vet diagnoses arthritis, there are a number of things you can do to help manage arthritis pain for your dogs.

Consider exercise. Staying active is good for your pet and for you!

Walking and swimming are very good for treating arthritis as they help improve muscles and joints. If your dog is overweight, a weight loss plan is critical - exercise being a part of that. Your veterinarian really should recommend a supervised weight loss plan.

Arthritis treatment for dogs will likely involve a combination of medication and increase in physical activity. While some dog owners feel it is safe to give NSAID drugs (such as Ibuprofen and similar over-the-counter medications safe for humans), there is debate as to whether these medications are safe for dogs when they are consumed on a regular basis - such as for the treatment of joint pain.

Many in the veterinary profession have turned to a natural supplement called glucosamine to treat arthritis symptoms in dogs. Glucosamine comes in many different forms and dosages, so check to make sure you know what dose to give your dog.

With a little extra knowledge and change of habits you can easily care for your dog’s arthritis, make their pain a bit more manageable, and make a “dog’s life” a little better. That’s the least we can do for such loyal loving creatures.