Owning a dog can mean having a true and faithful friend who loves you unconditionally. They say that money can't buy love, but it can buy a tail-wagging brown-eyed dog that will be there for you until the end of his life. You'll want to take care of your pal by protecting him from needless suffering. However, without you even being aware of it, arthritis can bring tremendous pain to your pooch.



You need to be aware that dogs are as likely to develop arthritis as people are. Dogs hurt too when they have this aggressive disease! Older dogs often have arthritis and even younger dogs can get it too. Since accidents can bring on arthritis, any age dog can suffer from this disease. Some dogs are born with congenital defects that become targets for arthritis.

The news is not all gloom and doom because there are ways you can relieve your pet's suffering.

To keep your dog from unnecessary pain, there are symptoms to watch out for. Here are a few of them.

Does your pet appear to be uncomfortable when getting up from the floor or sitting down?

With the passage of time has your dog changed from being active to becoming a couch potato? It could be that arthritis is beginning to set in.

Is your dog a shadow of his former self since he's no longer agile but instead appears to be stiff and slow?

Is your dog getting too fat? It's unhealthy for your dog to be overweight.

Is your dog tense and nervous now when he used to be happy and easy going? That could be a warning sign too.

Check around the joints of your pet. Is there swelling there? That's a sign of arthritis.

After considering the above symptoms that could be related to arthritis, you may think that your dog may have this disease. However, it's imperative that you see a vet for a professional diagnosis as well as health care for your beloved pet.

If a vet hands down a diagnosis of arthritis for your pal, it's not the end because there's a lot of things you can do to help your pet feel better.

Here are some helpful arthritis tips for you.

1. If your dog is having trouble getting up on your bed or on the sofa, put a dog ramp in those places. You can also lift your dog if he isn't too heavy. Just be sure when you lift him that you support his seat so you don't cause damage to his spinal column.

2. Elevate your pet's water and food bowls so he doesn't have to reach down so far to eat and drink since that may be uncomfortable for dogs with arthritis.

3. Consider purchasing glucosamine supplements which have been found to help fight arthritis. Condroitin supplements also can be helpful. Cartilage receives extra protection from both condroitin and glucosamine supplements. These supplements have been found to be safe for your pet to take.

4. Be sure to visit your veterinarian on a regular basis so your dog can be kept as healthy as medical science can provide.

5. Be sure to give your dog healthy food instead of the cheapest brand of dog food possible. You might even want to make your own dog food.

Being a dog owner brings many benefits, but it also brings responsibilities. One of your jobs is to make your pet as comfortable as possible even if he does have arthritis. Help your pet avoid needless pain by following the suggestions in this article.