Do you have a dog who suffers from chronic pain? If so, you understand just how difficult it can be to watch your dog in pain. There are many dogs out there who suffer from arthritis. If your dog suffers from arthritis, it is important to take him or her to the veterinarian regularly. That way, you make sure that your dog receives the medical attention that he or she deserves. At the same time, there are a lot of things you can do at home to take care of your dog as well. What are a few examples of things you could do at home to improve your dog’s ability to live with joint pain such as arthritis?
Think About Your Dog’s Diet
First, you need to think about your dog’s diet. This is going to play a major role in your dog’s ability to live with arthritis. For example, you should be looking for dog food that has supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Both of these additions can protect your dog’s joints, keeping arthritis from getting worse. Even though this dog food may be a bit more expensive, it can make a significant difference in your dog’s overall health. You may want to see if your local veterinarian has any coupons you can use to save money on joint food for your dog.
Make Sure Your Dog Remains Active
Next time you need to make sure your dog remains active. Even though your dog may not look like he or she wants to move very much because of joint pain, you do need to make sure your dog remains active. If you do not take your dog for a walk regularly, your dog’s joints make it stiff. As a result, joint pain can get worse. Of course, you do not want to push your dog too hard; however, you do need to make sure that your dog is active every day. Even a short walk around the block and make a significant difference in your dog’s overall health.
Ensure Your Dog has a Place to Take a Break
Finally, you need to make sure your dog has a place to take a break. For example, you may even look for a large dog bed for car. When your dog is tired, you need to make sure he or she has a spot to lay down. Ideally, they should not be on a hard floor, as this could make your dog’s joint pain worse. You may even want to go with a dog bed that is a bit larger than normal. That way, your dog has plenty of places to spread out. You should also make sure your dog can get to this location easily. That way, he or she does not have to stress on the way there.
Take Care of Your Dog’s Medical Needs
These are just a few of the biggest changes you can make in your home that could make your dog more comfortable. If your dog suffers from joint pain, this can be a serious quality-of-life issue. At the same time, this is not something that you need to face on your own. Remember to take your dog to the vet regularly. A trained veterinarian may have a few other ideas of things you can do to make your dog more comfortable. If you keep your dog mobile, focus on his or her diet, and give your dog a place to take a break, your dog may be able to manage joint pain a bit better.