Arthritis is an unfortunate health condition that plagues many of our beloved pets. Many people associate the condition with elderly dogs, but that’s not always the case. In fact, 80% of dogs show signs of arthritis by the time they’re eight and 20% of dogs will show signs as young as one year old.
Dogs who suffer from arthritis can have difficulty sleeping due to the pain they experience. However, this issue can be alleviated by choosing specially made dog beds for arthritis. The beds are tailored to joint conditions and will offer your furry friend a better night’s sleep.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to best help dogs that have arthritis and the different types of beds you can choose from to give your pup a comforting night’s sleep.
What is Dog Arthritis?
If you start noticing that your dog seems stiff, tires easily, or has problems getting up, arthritis could be the problem. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of canine arthritis. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, don’t hesitate before contacting your veterinarian to have them evaluated.
When the cartilage that protects the bones of a dog’s joint is destroyed, that causes osteoarthritis. The cushion surrounding the joint is gone, resulting in:
- Pain
- Decreased mobility
- Friction between the bones
- Spurs (bony growths) formation
Cartilage doesn’t have any nerve supply, meaning damage can occur in your dog’s joints with no outward symptoms. They’ll only begin showing signs of discomfort once the lubricating fluid isn’t able to protect the surface of the bone anymore. At this point, the joint is also severely damaged.
Inflammatory joint disease is a less common form of arthritis in dogs. The cause of it is usually a fungal or bacterial infection or tick-borne disease. Inflammatory joint disease is also caused by an underlying issue in your pet’s immune system, which is often hereditary.
