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Dog Hip and Joint Pain   By Dr. John Brooks DVM   |Published December 19, 2019

When it comes to hip and joint pain treatment for our beloved dogs, the first thing we want to know, “How can I make life easier and more comfortable for my dogs as they are heavily suffering?” It is arduous to see our favorite legged companion suffering from any pain or discomfort.  

There are many reasons why your dog may be going through hip and joint pain. Whether it may be because of their age, gaining excess weight, or it is just a common health issue for their breed. Whatever the reason is, you will surely feel this pain inside your heart.  

Here I am focusing on some comfortable, safe, and affordable treatments of your dog’s hip and joint pains. You can also use special supplements for dog’s hip & joint pain. 

Causes of Hip and Joint Pain in Your Dog 

If you have noticed your dog displaying signs of hip pain,
there are one or two reasons behind this: hip dysplasia or chronic
inflammation. It is mainly normal in older dogs, but younger puppies are not
immune to getting chronic hip pain.  

Joint pain in your dog is, unfortunately, an all-too-common
problem. Large breed dogs are mostly affected by joint pain problems. But
research shows that 20% of all dogs will suffer from joint pain in their
lifetimes. Either developmental or degenerative issues can cause it.

Developmental problems are the outcome of a genetic
predisposition, two of the standard being elbow and hip dysplasia. Degenerative
difficulties are those that have developed over time, mainly due to age.

Aged
dogs can suffer from osteoarthritis as a result of damage and tear on their
joints and ligaments. Several dogs are inclined to joint pain genetically.
Large breeds bearing a lot of weight on their joints usually suffer from
developmental or degenerative problems.

Common Signs of Dog Hip and Joint Pain 

You might have already understood if your dog is suffering from hip and joint pain. But if you are still not sure whether your dog is in pain or not, here I am listing some common signs of hip and joint pain to check it out: 

• Constant limp, stumbling walk, or swaying motion 
• Loss of hunger 
• Touch sensitivity near its hip and joints  
• Lack of activity suddenly 
• Getting tired sooner than usual 
• Trouble in getting up, lying down, sitting, or climbing stairs. 
• Joint stiffness or sore  
• Hesitation to jump or run 

If you find the above symptoms in your dog, it is probably suffering from hip and joint pain. 

If these signs do not go away within one or two weeks, you must visit the veterinarian of your dog regarding this issue. Your vet will conduct some physical examination and take some x-ray if needed. The sooner you start treatment for the dog hip and joint pain, the sooner it will feel better and get relieved from pain. 

Breeds More Susceptible to Hip and Joint Pain 

As said earlier, any dog of any breed or age can suffer from hip and joint problems. But some breeds more susceptible to this problem are:

• Newfoundland
• Rottweiler
• Saint Bernard
• Old English Sheepdog
• German Shepherd
• Dachshund 
• Golden Retriever
• Alaskan Malamute
• Labrador Retriever
• Mastiffs
• Samoyed
• Great Dane 

Safe and Affordable Treatments for Dog Hip and Joint Pain 

Here I am listing some affordable treatments for your dog in
hip and joint pain. Dozens of supplements are available in the market that you
can try to treat your dog’s hip and joint pain. But be sure to consult your vet
before you add something new to the dog’s prescribed regimen.

MSM 

MSM, known as ‘methylsulfonylmethane,” is an essential sulfur-based compound. It is well-reputed for its ability to restore your dog’s joint health. MSM reduces chronic pain, improves the health of individual cells, and improves the energy of your dog. 

Glucosamine 

Dogs produce some glucosamine in their body by itself, but
over time, the natural glucosamine decreases that leads to the hip and joint
pain of your dog. Due to lack of this natural nutrient, the joints of the dog’s
tend to break-down.

Supplementing your dog with good-quality glucosamine is an
excellent way to help your dog build a more powerful hip and joint. It can
reduce dog hip and joint pain and improve your dog’s movement.

Omega-3 

Omega-3 is a preferred fatty acid that significantly improves the hip and joint health of dogs. You can use fish oil that is high in omega-3 for over three months and develop bone and joint pain, lameness, and joint diseases in your dog. You can also find omega-3 supplements that can aid your dog in hip and joint pain. 

Weight Management

Many dog hip and joint pain problems are the outcomes
of excessive weight. So, reducing the extra weight so your dog can get to a
healthy weight can reduce strain on its joints. By doing so, you can also reduce
joint inflammation caused by excessive fat.

Nutritious Food

Not all diets are equal in the sense of nutrition. Some food is entirely devoid of the nutrition your dog needs to sustain healthy joints. Most dogs need a diet abundant in meat and vegetables, combining some fruits. Some dogs can take grains, where some just cannot. So, you can experiment with a diet free of grains and see if your dog is walking more efficiently. 

But as said earlier, do not forget to consult your veterinarian before adding anything to the diet. The most important fact is to feed your dog a high-quality, nutritious food that does not contain any additive, or chemical, causing joint issues. 

Physical Therapy

To improve the mobility of your dog, you can try some proven stretches and hydrotherapy. 

But, keep in mind that every dog and the conditions related to it is different. So you better consult your vet before giving any physical therapy to your dog in hip and joint pain. 

Provide Your Dog a Friendly Evironment

Besides easing your dog improving mobility by providing physical aids, you can give some additional area in your living, so that it can go around smoothly. You can also use inclinations to help your dog steer heights.

It will help your dogs avoid increasing the hip and joint pain and irritating their joint and inflammation more. A heated dog bed in the time of cold months can help your dog relieve some of the stiffness in its joints.

Exercise

If your vet allows, you can give your dog some physical
activities. It will improve the hip and joint health of your dog and reduce its
hip and joint pain. But keep your dog away from running and jumping on the
pavement.

One more thing, Agility competition is right for your dog, but it can
cause serious harm if it lacks proper instructions. In competition or excessive
running and jumping, your dog can get severe injuries in joints and hip. These injuries
can cause further pain in later years. 

Antioxidants in Your Dog’s Diet 

Antioxidants are molecules that help to prevent damage to the cells caused by free radicals. 

It has anti-aging agents and helps prevent cancer, heart disease, immune issues, and eye problems. Antioxidants clear the “rust” out of the body of your dog. It is a perfect pick to fight joint pain. Here are some food loaded with antioxidants you can add in your dog’s diet: 

Turmeric:

Turmeric is famous for its ability to reduce inflammation throughout your dog’s body. It can be an essential part of hip and joint pain relief for your dog. 

Herbs:

Herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, cinnamon, ginger, cumin are rich in antioxidants to reduce the hip and joint pain of your dog. 

Green-Lipped Mussels 

Green-Lipped mussels are a specific species of mussels, very useful for dogs in joint pain. 

They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are an effective aid in hip and joint pain. This particular kind of mussels also contains glycosaminoglycans, substances having the properties of protecting the joints of your dog.   

Conclusions

These are some of the safe and affordable ways and treatments you can endure to cure and reduce dog hip and joint pain of your beloved companion. 

Author Bio ( Dog Hip and Joint Paint)

Additional Resources

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals  

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs (American Kennel Club)