It is time to know the available home remedies of arthritis which can give your dog a better quality of life.
Arthritis is a very debilitating condition. It can affect both humans and dogs. In my previous post, I had discussed the symptoms of dog arthritis, the causes behind it, the treatment for the same as well as the do’s and don’ts of a dog guardian caring for an arthritic dog. In the current post, I’m going to discuss 17 brilliant home remedies available to treat your dog’s arthritis and make his or her life easier.
Arthritis causes swelling and inflammation which can make the simplest of the things like walking or getting up a painful experience. In order dogs, arthritis most often is a result of an active and happy life, but it can also be due to some kind of injury, obesity or diabetes. The most common form of arthritis which affects dogs is osteoarthritis. This debilitating disease affects at least one in five dogs.
Arthritis is caused by deterioration of the cartilage which surrounds the joints of dogs. Due to constant use, the cartilage degrades away, and leaves a gap. The body fulfills this gap with calcium deposits causing joint pain, discomfort as well as limited mobility which is observed in dogs suffering from arthritis.
Many holistic veterinarians recommend the use of supplements to reduce inflammation, improve the structure of the cartilage as well as provide joint pain relief.
Chondroitin sulfate is a natural medicine present in the body. It generally works to prevent enzymes from causing degradation of the joint cartilages. This is a natural component of the cartilage. It is generally used along with glucosamine sulfate for the treatment of dog arthritis. This supplement helps in repairing the cartilage and prevents it from breaking down.
It is naturally produced by the body. This is the safest and the most commonly used remedy for arthritis. Glucosamine sulfate can help rehabilitate the damaged cartilage by stimulating glycosaminoglycan’s as well chondoitin sulfate’s production. Chondroitin sulfate is the essential component of cartilage. Glucosamine administration has been observed to exhibit an anti-inflammatory activity which has roles in reducing the joint pain in dog arthritis.
The sulfur present In MSM can be used up by the body for the formation of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate like compounds. This supplement is often recommended by veterinarians for arthritic dogs. MSM has the added benefit that it also helps in the formation of the amino acids cysteine and methionine. Joints with arthritis mostly have low levels of both of these amino acids. Studies have shown that MSM helps in the maintenance of normal articular cartilage.
Green lipped mussel contains glucosamine, proteins, Eicosatetraenoic acids (ETAs), minerals etc. ETAs belong to the family of omega-3 fatty acids and are responsible for anti-inflammatory effects which reduce joint pain.
Other natural ingredients which can be used to reduce joint pain in arthritic dogs are:
Vitamin C is important in the production of collagen which is needed for the soft tissue support of the joints.
This is an anti-inflammatory compound. It helps in increasing the blood supply to the joints which promote repair.
Zinc, selenium and manganese
These minerals help the body produce antioxidants and promote repair.
Food items which can work as remedies for arthritic dogs:
Sweet potatoes are known to be high in the beta carotene compound which works as an anti-oxidant as well as promotes amino acid formation. The amino acids which help in building muscle which might have started to fade due to age as well as due to absence of exercise. Positive effects of the antioxidant activity is that it helps in fighting the cell damage due to arthritis.
Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory property and are responsible for increasing the joint mobility. Fish oils also have other benefits for your dog, e.g. it can keep your dog’s skin healthy, prevent allergies etc. However, fish oil can add calories to your dog, thus be careful to balance it out with other sources of calories to prevent harmful weight gain.
Turmeric contains curcumin as well as many other anti-inflammatory compounds which reduce stiffness as well as pain. Circumin is the yellow orange pigment present in turmeric. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Due to its antioxidant properties, curcumin can slow the cell damage which is caused by free radicals. Curcumin is also known to inhibit the enzymes which are responsible for swelling as well as pain.
Ginger belongs to the same family as turmeric and shares similar benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties and does it helps reduce pain. Junior contains a compound known as gingerol which has been shown to reduce inflammation and join destruction observed in arthritis.
Cellular damage contributes to joint destruction and arthritis. Alfalfa has anti-oxidative properties which helps in preventing cellular damage. It has also been observed to possess anti-inflammatory properties which reduce pain and swelling. Alfalfa is rich in nutrients, proteins as well as vitamins and provides a lot of health benefits to your dog along with help in reducing the arthritis.
Papaya contains the compound bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme which has been observed to reduce inflammation. It is also high in vitamin C which contributes to its antioxidant properties and prevents cell damage. Dog guardian have one added advantage. The content of citric acid in papaya is lower than other fruits making it more digestible by your dog.
They have the strongest antioxidant property. They are amazing in fighting inflammation as well as other inflammatory conditions such as cancer. They are also an amazing source of vitamin C. Blueberries also contain silicon which helps in strengthening of bones and joint connective tissues.
Coconut oil can work as an anti-inflammatory agent and help in lubrication of the joints. It contains valuable MCTs (medium chain triglyceride) which can fight bacterial, fungal as well as viral infections which are responsible for the beginning of arthritis. Coconut oil is also excellent for your dog’s skin, can prevent fleas, reduce allergies etc. To know the complete benefits of coconut oil for your dog click here. Administration of a little bit of coconut oil to the diet can provide your dog an energy boost which can greatly help with performing moderate level exercises to keep the muscles healthy and fight obesity.
Celery is another anti-inflammatory vegetable which has low calories. It also helps with keeping the weight in check and reduces the additional strain on the joints. It is high in fiber and antioxidants, both of which are important in fighting osteoporosis and obesity which can worsen the arthritic pain. The calcium, amino acids as well as vitamins present in celery keep the bones and joints strong. Celery can also help remove the uric acid from the body as uric acid can worsen the arthritic symptoms.
Bone broth
Bone broth is another alternative remedy which can be given at home. Homemade bone broth is full of natural glucosamine as well as healthy fatty acids along with vitamins and minerals. Bone broth can be added to your dog’s diet or can be separately given as a treat.
Other posts you might find useful:
- Is RAW DOG FOOD really the best dietary option for your dog?
- The 5 easiest HOMEMADE DOG TOYS for aggressive chewers every dog parent should know about
- Effects of administering NSAIDs to dogs (pain killers)
Conclusion
Yes, arthritis is a debilitating disease and it reduces the quality of life of your dog. However, with a little help, your dog can lead a full and healthy life with only minor problems. If care is taken from an early age, your dog may not even develop arthritis.
Do you know of any other supplements which can help an arthritic dog? If yes, please mention it in the comment section below. Do you have a dog who is suffering from arthritis? What do you do to ease his or her pain?
Thank you so much for reading.
Until next time
Shruti