Arthritis in canines is usually a disease that's age related and is known to be one of the most common diseases in dogs. No matter what the age of your pet it can be affected, especially if they are over weight. Arthritis is most common in dog breeds that grow to more than 60 pounds, like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Rottweilers and German Shepherds.

It is the breakdown of cartilage between the joints that causes your dog pain during movement. This is the is almost the same pain people feel when they have arthritis.

Using a preventive approach by giving your dog the appropriate natural supplements will help your dog be more prepared to fend off age related mobility issues. It's better to start your dog on these supplements when they are about 4 to five years of age. This preventive regimen should include Glucosamine and Chondroitin given on a daily basis. You should consult with your Vet on the dosages appropriate for your pet.

If your dog starts showing symptoms of arthritis you need to take steps to help relieve their pain quickly. Dogs are good at masking some of the symptoms of pain so when you see it's painful for them, believe me it's really bothering them.

The primary thing you need to do is identify any symptoms of pain in your dog. These signs can range from sleeping more, walking instead of running, not wanting to play, or showing stiffness when getting up. Anything that is abnormal can be a symptom of pain and stiffness and should be evaluated quickly by your Vet. Dogs don't usually show pain unless it's severe. If they are experiencing moderate pain they can mask it by moving slower, looking stiff and not moving as much. Be on the lookout.

If arthritis is the diagnosis of your Veterinarian then the usual means of treatment is with an NSAID, which is a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs are only available by prescription and can be pricey. Each individual NSAID may have different levels of effectiveness and side effects on individual animals. To find the right drug for your dog you may have to try several different individual medications to find the right level of relief and tolerance of the drug.

Many pet owners have worried about with the cost and side effects of the prescription medications and have looked for more tolerant and less costly alternative treatments. Many have found that natural supplements have shown to be an outstanding way to relieve the pain of their pets arthritis.

My Lab Brandy was eleven when she started taking an NSAID. Other than the extremely high cost it was an effective treatment and relieved her pain. Due to the dosage required for my 75 pound dog it was costing me over $100 a month to keep her medicated. This very costly treatment caused me to try and find an alternative treatment that was less expensive, but still provided pain relief with better mobility. I discovered that in a natural supplement that was both effective and affordable.

Everyone wants to do the right thing for their pet, however you also have to be able to afford the medication. There is a natural supplement that can relieve your dogs pain as well as being affordable. That type of treatment worked for my dog Brandy and I'm very sure that it would work for your pet as well.