Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints of people and animals alike. If your dog has recently been diagnosed with arthritis, you’re most likely wondering what you can do to keep your pet’s quality of life as high as possible.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. What Is Arthritis In Dogs?
2. Types of Arthritis In Dogs
3. What Causes Arthritis In Dogs?
4. Is It Hereditary?
5. How To Know If Your Dog Has Arthritis
6. Diagnosing Arthritis In Dogs
7. Treating Arthritis In Dogs
8. CBD For Dogs With Arthritis
9. Choosing The Right CBD Product For Your Dog
10. Other Natural Treatments For Arthritis In Dogs
11. Managing Weight Gain In Dogs With Arthritis
12. Recovery For Dogs With Arthritis
13. Conclusion
In this article, we’ll break down what arthritis actually is, what causes it, how to diagnose it, and provide alternative medications to harmful NSAIDS.
What Is Arthritis In Dogs?
Arthritis is a type of joint disease that happens after the joint cartilage and underlying bones begin to wear down and become weak. It can cause pain and inflammation in the affected joints, reducing your dog’s mobility and excitement levels. While it’s normal for dogs to slow down as they get older, arthritis leads to a significant reduction in your pet’s willingness to be active.
One in every five dogs develops arthritis at some point in their lives, making it a fairly common disease. In fact, it’s the most common cause of pain in aging dogs. Most of the time arthritis is just the result of wear and tear on your dog’s joints over the course of their life. As they play, run, and jump, they are putting stress on their joints, and slowly wearing them out.
By the time they get into their later canine years, the cartilage in the joints is thin and vulnerable. This cartilage serves as a cushion between their joints, and as it begins to wear down, your pet’s joints grind together, causing a good deal of discomfort. This has the potential to cause spurs, but it isn’t guaranteed. Any joint in your dog’s body can be affected by arthritis, but most commonly it will target their hips, elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders, ankles, and lower back.
Types of Arthritis In Dogs
There are five types of arthritis that dogs can develop. However, most of them are fairly uncommon. In general, your pet will develop one of two forms of arthritis:
