Owners of dogs with osteoarthritis have usually come a long way: Watching your own pet suffer is a bad sight. Buzzsharer, therefore, recommends the best home remedies that you can use to make life easier for your osteoarthritis four-legged friend in the future.
Canine Osteoarthritis: A Brief Definition
Osteoarthritis is also known as osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis. It is a rheumatic disease and degenerative joint disease that occurs in both humans and animals. It starts when the joints and cartilage in the dog’s body wear out. This happens when the affected joint is heavily stressed.
The main problem with this disease is that it develops insidiously. As a result, it is often only noticeable years after the outbreak. For dog owners, it is clear at the latest when the four-legged friend no longer gets up or only with great effort. Walks are stressful and the joy of movement is usually completely absent.
Home remedies for osteoarthritis and the right diet
In addition to anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs, proper nutrition is of great importance for sick animals. Because overweight can often be a trigger for wear and tear on the joints. Below we present some home remedies for osteoarthritis in dogs.
Cold and warmth against osteoarthritis
Anyone wondering whether warmth or cold helps with osteoarthritis in dogs should be told that both work. Warmth ensures a comfortable body feeling so that the four-legged friend feels better. One possibility is the classic grain pillow, which is often available in the household. Others prefer cold to relieve the pain, which is why you have to check here individually what your four-legged friend prefers.
Zeel for dogs with osteoarthritis
A dog with suspected osteoarthritis can be treated with homeopathic remedies. The so-called Zeel is often used. The homeopathic remedy supports the animal’s musculoskeletal system in rheumatic diseases. It is important that it is used in long-term therapy. It helps in the renewal of tissues and cartilage.
Aloe Vera for Dogs
To support joint health, you can treat the dog with aloe vera. The healing abilities of the plant are no secret. However, it is advisable to consult with the veterinarian, as aloe vera can also be administered incorrectly.
Ginger for dogs with osteoarthritis
In Indian and Chinese medicine, a certain herb has had a firm place for a long time: No wonder, because ginger has a calming effect on pain as well as inhibiting inflammation. In the long term, it is possible that the four-legged friend becomes more agile again. In addition, ginger strengthens the immune system, which is always important for good health.
Note: Painkillers for dogs with osteoarthritis must always be coordinated with the veterinarian. Self-therapy with aspirin, paracetamol, or ibuprofen is not advisable!
Food supplement for dogs with osteoarthritis
Through the food, you can provide your dog with nutrients that the joint lacks, support the joint metabolism, and relieve pain. They are not known for their quick effects and have to be given long-term or in a short-term manner in order for an improvement to occur.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit inflammation and support metabolic processes, including in the joint. These are found in good oils, such as hemp and fish oils. The ability of the blood to flow is also supported. This in turn leads to a faster removal and breakdown of pollutants and waste, from which the diseased joints benefit.
Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are multiple sugars that occur in every joint. They store fluid, are responsible for the elasticity and the formation of synovial fluid. There are different glycosaminoglycans. Chondroitin sulfate is the most common GAG found in articular cartilage.
MSM
MSM is organic sulfur and is required for the formation of collagen. If a dog suffers from osteoarthritis, there is usually always a lack of MSM in the joint, so that supplementary feeding makes sense. In addition, MSM affects metabolism. Many dogs show a better general condition after a while.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a natural component of the joint, stimulates the formation of new articular cartilage, and at the same time has a mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. For severe osteoarthritis, a triple complex consisting of glucosamine, MSM, and chondroitin sulfate is often given.
New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract
The green-lipped mussel is a New Zealand relative of the blue mussel. Your mussel meat is ground, freeze-dried, and given in powder or tablet form for osteoarthritis. The green-lipped mussel extract contains glycosaminoglycans and omega-3 fatty acids as well as other valuable ingredients.
African devil’s claw
The devil’s claw is a millennia-old remedy for painful joint diseases. The bitter substance harpagoside is proven to be anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Make life easier for dogs with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis in dogs is not a fatal disease. However, it restricts the dog’s movements and causes pain. Therefore, you do not have to euthanize your osteoarthritis dog. In addition to home remedies, there are other ways to improve the quality and life expectancy of your dog with osteoarthritis.
Proper nutrition
A dog with osteoarthritis needs a diet that is adapted to its living situation. This is due to the restricted movement. As a result, metabolism and the like also suffer, which is why the diet should be adjusted to these changes by a veterinarian.
Physiotherapy as a countermeasure
However, your dog with osteoarthritis should not completely miss out on exercise. With special physiotherapy it is possible, for example, to maintain the animal’s range of motion or to expand it again. Carrying and walking aids also make daily movement easier.
The right dog bed
A soft surface that the dog can use to rest and relax is very important for your own four walls. There are now also special orthopedic dog beds that are specially adapted to the needs of sick four-legged friends.
Take care of the dog
Also, make sure that the dog is not constantly confronted with severe stress. This means, for example, stairs. He can do this less well or not at all. Jumping out of the car also puts a lot of strain on the joints.
