Your pet’s joint health may be the last thing on your mind when you adopt one. However, joint pains in pet dogs are a common condition that can affect them at some point in their lives, and larger breeds are often the most susceptible. Through joint pet care practices, thankfully, you can prevent a life limited by stiffness and discomfort to your pet and improve their general well-being.

So let us discuss a couple of simple guidelines on maintaining your pet’s joint health so they can continue doing the activities they love with you.

Ways to Maintain Your Pet’s Joint Health

Pet parents might assume everything is okay as long as their dogs aren’t whining in pain. However, pets exhibit pain differently than people, and they are experts at hiding it. This is why we must proactively prevent joint problems, so our companions won’t suffer serious conditions like arthritis.

Here are five tips to keep your dog’s bones and joints in the best and optimal condition:

1. Prevent Injuries

Dog arthritis often develops due to injuries, even when your pet is just a puppy. Jumping too high, overexercising, and running too hard before a puppy’s bones and muscles can develop may only hurt their joints, so it’s necessary to monitor your pet’s exercise routine. Always observe moderation, exercise properly, and don’t overwork your pet to prevent injuries that might lead to serious joint conditions.

2. Weigh Them Regularly

When you take your companion to facilities like Ace Animal Hospital for routine vaccinations and parasite prevention, don’t forget to weigh them. Always record their weight to know if they’re gaining too much. The veterinarian can recommend the best weight for your pet’s size and breed to keep them in the healthy weight range.

3. Introduce Supplements to Their Regular Diet

In addition to maintaining your pet’s healthy diet, ask your vet about incorporating joint supplements into their regular food. When your dog is a year old, start giving them fish oil, and when they’re two years old, feed them joint supplements. This is essential even if you do not see indications of arthritis yet.

If your dog experiences an upset stomach or reacts adversely to whatever joint supplements you’re giving them, have them examined by a veterinary internist in Fermont, CA. Some joint supplements contain excessive amounts of glucosamine sulfate, which usually leads to toxicity. This is why it is always best to consult your veterinarian before starting joint supplements to ensure your pet’s safety if they have health issues that may conflict with it.

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet

Good joint health in canines starts with a healthy and nutritious diet. Canine weight gain and obesity are among the most common culprits of joint-related problems in pets. Overweight dogs carry extra weight, which puts additional pressure on their joints, spine, and supporting tissues. Top-quality canine foods, fruits, and vegetables free of harmful additives and added sugar can help maintain their weight, promote general health, and support healthy joints.

To keep your pet’s chompers and weight healthy, their dental health is one thing you should maintain. Regularly take them to a vet dentist to prevent any dental health issues that may affect their well-being.

5. Treat Injuries Immediately

Vets recommend immediate treatment of suspected dog injuries to prevent joint problems as they age. Pets that suffer fractures from car accidents might need special treatment, surgical repair, or forced rest to recover properly. Neglecting any injury may only intensify in the future and cause many more undesirable situations.

To End

Taking simple proactive procedures throughout your dog’s life can help minimize discomfort and even prevent arthritis. By observing routine vet checkups, proper weight and diet management, and giving them joint vitamins and supplements, your pet can live a healthy, happy life with strong limbs that can take them anywhere.