5 Home Remedies for Joint Pain in Dogs
It’s spring again in Oklahoma, which means joint pain for my senior dogs. Today we’re discussing 5 home remedies for joint pain in dogs. I’ll tell you what’s most widely suggested to bring relief, as well as what I find works for my dogs. My dogs, btw, are 15 year old Australian Shepherd/German Shepherd mixes. They’re each about 60 pounds and in good health outside of the joint pain.
First, how do I know their joints ache? Three things:
- They pace and pant in the evenings – during storm season they pant more frequently if I don’t stay on top of it (pacing and panting are symptoms of pain)
- The vet confirmed that yes, they’re arthritic
- Their age and size mean that they’re probably arthritic, whether we checked with the vet or not
This is just how I know that the dogs are in pain and that it’s their joints. Knowing your dog, talking to your vet, doing your homework (research and talking to other dog owners) all help.
Home Remedies
Let me start by saying home remedies for joint pain in dogs may not be the way to go for you. Our first Australian Shepherd had hips so bad that her back legs had difficulty working. For her we chose weekly injections from the vet, and after six weeks (at age 12), her legs worked beautifully and she was nearly pain free.
- Food – Joint pain in dogs is typically caused by inflammation. Shoot, a lot of pain, in people and critters alike, is caused by inflammation. I know, having an autoimmune disease, that what I eat effects my own joint pain. Staying away from nightshades (tomatoes, peppers and potatoes, primarily), and consuming small amounts of healthy fats helps. Try adding fish oil and turmeric to your dog’s diet (research the right amount for the size of your dog). Going grain free can also be beneficial. We’ve gone grain free and have seen a difference. Adding salmon oil to the food also seems to help. My friend Kimberly strongly recomends going raw, as it helped her dogs tremendously. You can read their story here.
- Supplements – We used Tomlyn’s Joint and Hip Chews for Senior Dogs for about a year. I noticed a difference in the dogs’ activity levels after about a week. They were more playful and would run instead of trudge. It worked well until it didn’t. The vet then recommended Synovi G4, which I find is cheapest via Amazon. During storm season the dogs get one in the morning and one at night, but the rest of the year they just get one at night. I always have it on hand. Always. I also now give my dogs a three inch Windee every morning. Windees are cow tracheas and one of nature’s highest sources of glucosamine and chondroitin, which helps reduce inflammation of joints. Duck and chicken feet contain the next highest amount and could be beneficial.
- Acupunture – Many dog owners swear by acupuncture as a means of reducing joint pain in dogs. I believe it. I know that my chiropractor helps me, and the two seem to be similar in how they reduce inflammation. There are also chiropractors for dogs. These holistic approaches to pain have been around for a very long time. I’m glad they’re finally being applied to man’s best friend.
- Weight – if your dog is overweight, it may be time for both portion control and more exercise. Added weight impacts the joints. If you have an overweight dog who’s limping, won’t go upstairs, struggles to get up and down, or otherwise shows signs of pain, do something about the weight. See a vet. Ask about methods to control the excess. Go for longer walks every day. Take up a sport, like agility, or fly ball.
- Comfort – If you’ve done everything to remedy the aches of arthritis or joint pain in your dog, go for comfort. Buy the cushy mattress for them to sleep on. Get a ramp to help them get on and off your bed or couch. Keep your dog warm, as cold aggravates joint pain. Your dog will smile.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
First and last, always talk to your veterinarian. Hopefully you’ve found one who knows and loves your dog. They’ll be aware of good practices for what ails your dog. They may even find that the issue isn’t joint pain or arthritis, but something else entirely. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your dog’s health.
Giveaway
I so wish we were giving away Windees right now, since that’s helped my own senior dogs so much. Don’t worry, though – you can find them at your local feed or pet store. If not there, order them from Natural Dog Treat Shop. I like the 3″ size for my dogs, but they come in one inch, six and twelve.
What we are giving away is the perfect training treat! Beefee Snapz and Chickee Snapz are flat and round, about the size of a silver dollar. They fit beautifully into a pocket, as well as into a dog’s mouth. Simply click this sentence, scroll down in the new page, leave a comment and click the box to enter. They’re Jones Natural Chews’ latest treats and I know your dog will love them!
Paws crossed that you find a solution for your own dog’s joint pain. Let me know, in the comments, what works for you.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea