Is your dog starting to show early signs of mild joint pain and stiffness? Are they a little less active and mobile than they used to be? Perhaps it’s more noticeable in the evenings after a day of activity, or first thing in the morning when they are waking up. Joint pain and stiffness are fairly common issues with dogs as they age, especially medium to large breed dogs who are carrying more weight on their bodies. But is there anything you can do to help ease their discomfort?
Here we’ll look at five tips that can help to ease your dog’s mild joint pain and stiffness and help them to feel more comfortable.
Invest in a Good Quality Supportive Dog Bed
When you think about how many hours a day your dog spends napping, it makes perfect sense to invest in a high-quality supportive dog bed for them. Today you can find a wide variety of memory foam style beds for dogs, which do an excellent job at relieving pressure points in their joints. It makes for a more comfortable and restful nap.
When shopping for these styles of bed, you want to be mindful of the durability (how long the memory foam will last). You also need to ensure that it’s big enough for your dog, and that the cover is removable so you can easily clean it.
Supplements for Dogs Can Help to Ease Stiffness
Just like with humans, dogs too can take supplements that can aid in a variety of things. One option you may want to look into is how joint chews for dogs could offer some benefits. YuMove is a company that makes a variety of supplements for dogs and this range of chews for dogs can help to ease some of that pain and stiffness they are feeling in their joints. These are a natural supplement which is quick and easy to give your dog; in fact, they will think it’s a treat they are eating since they are a soft chew.
Encourage Them to Stay Active
It might sound counterproductive to make your dog get up and move if they have joint pain and stiffness, but staying active and limber will actually help to keep some of that pain in check. This doesn’t mean they need to go for a high-energy jog with you or a long hike in the woods; it’s just about ensuring they stay reasonably active on a day-to-day basis.
Do They Need to Lose Some Weight?
It could be well worth a visit to the vet to have your dog weighed and ensure they aren’t carrying a few extra pounds. Even just a couple of extra pounds will heighten their level of joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort.
Medication May be Necessary
If your dog has more than just mild joint pain, of you’ve tried the above mentioned tips and not seen results, then it could be time to speak to your vet about medication that will help relieve inflammation and pain.
Typically, it’s not a matter of just one of these tips working, rather it is a combination of tips and techniques that garners results.
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