Dog Osteoarthritis: Nutrition, Prevention, and Care Guide

Like us humans, most dogs will experience some wear and tear of the joints throughout their lives. However, in dogs with osteoarthritis, the joints progressively and painfully deteriorate. Treatment for dog osteoarthritis usually involves a combination of approaches, including tailored nutrition. Read on to learn how the right food can help to keep your dog’s joints healthy.

What Is Dog Osteoarthritis?

Dog osteoarthritis affects a dog’s joints – the areas where two or more bones meet. Healthy joints are protected by cartilage, a tissue that acts as a cushion to absorb shock and reduce friction between the bones. However, in a dog with arthritis, that cartilage deteriorates, causing pain, inflammation, loss of movement in the joint, and bone spurs (bony growths).

Osteoarthritis can affect any dog, but it’s more common in senior dogs and larger breeds. Other risk factors include:

• Obesity.
• Poor nutrition.
• Repetitive or intense exercise.
• Joint injuries or infections.
• Joint conditions like hip dysplasia.
• Genetic predisposition.

Dog osteoarthritis is unfortunately progressive with no cure. It can’t always be prevented, but you can give your dog the best chance of avoiding arthritis by focusing on risk factors you can control, such as nutrition, weight, and regular veterinary care.

Preventing Dog Osteoarthritis With Nutrition

A complete and balanced food contains all the nutrients your dog needs for good health, in the right amounts and ratios. When choosing the best dog food for joint health, look for a food that also contains high-quality proteins and joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and that contains a balanced omega 6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio. You can also ask your vet about giving these nutrients to your dog in the form of supplements.

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for avoiding excessive stress on the joints. A complete and balanced food will help with this, as will regular exercise. However, be sure to tailor your dog’s physical activity to their age and size. For example, repetitive or high-impact exercises like running may not be suitable for older dogs or larger breeds, who are more prone to osteoarthritis.

Dog Arthritis Symptoms

Many dogs with arthritis won’t show obvious signs of being in pain until the damage to their joints is already severe. For that reason, it’s important to be vigilant for subtle signs of pain or inflammation, especially in higher-risk dogs. Dog arthritis symptoms might include:

• Limping or “skipping” steps.
• Walking with a raised leg.
• Reluctance to exercise or play.
• Difficulty standing, jumping, or climbing, e.g., getting into the car.
• Weight changes.
• Irritability.
• Lethargy.
• Muscle loss.
• Flinching or yelping when touched.
• Swelling and heat around the joints.
• Difficulty urinating or defecating.

If your dog is showing signs of osteoarthritis, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. The vet will perform a physical examination and may take x-rays of your dog’s joints. This can help to rule out other possible causes and assess the severity of joint damage.

Choosing a Dog Food for Arthritis

When choosing any dog food, the most important thing to look for is a complete and balanced food. For a dog with arthritis, you’ll also want to look for a food like Virbac’s VETERINARY HPM Dog Food,which contains ingredients that protect their joint and muscle health. These include:

• High-quality protein from animal sources to preserve muscle mass.
• Chondroitin sulfate. Another naturally occurring substance that declines with age, chondroitin helps to maintain the structure of the cartilage and the thickness of the synovial fluid around the joints.
• Chitosan. Mainly derived from the shells of crustaceans, chitosan optimizes the breakdown and absorption of chondroitin.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Found in fish oil, specific omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA fight joint inflammation, boost synovial fluid, and improve mobility.
• Eggshell membrane. This ingredient is rich in elastin, the protein that gives flexibility to the connective tissues around the joints. Elastin can help to keep the joints mobile but stable, reducing the risk of injuries.

Because obesity puts significant strain on the joints,Virbac’s VETERINARY HPM Dog Food is formulated with healthy weight maintenance in mind. The high-protein/low-carbohydrate/moderate fat / fiber enriched formula is designed to meet the energy needs of dogs with arthritis, whose activity levels often decline as their condition progresses. It’s also free from unnecessary fillers or additives, which can aggravate inflammation and make joint discomfort worse.

Complementary Care for Dogs With Arthritis

Dog osteoarthritis can’t be cured, so treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease, keeping the joints functional, and reducing inflammation and pain. Your vet will help you to create a care plan that achieves these goals with quality nutrition and a number of other possible treatment options, such as:

• Joint care supplements. Chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids are also available in supplement form. Green-lipped mussel is another potentially helpful supplement packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are very effective at reducing pain and inflammation associated with dog osteoarthritis. However, they may not be suitable for dogs with kidney, liver, or stomach problems.
• Physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can help to improve joint function, preserve muscle strength, and reduce pain in dogs with arthritis.
• Physical activity. Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping the joints mobile. It must be done carefully to avoid worsening joint pain, though, so ask your vet or physiotherapist for help creating a suitable exercise plan.
• Home adaptations. Elevate food and water bowls so your dog doesn’t have to hunch over them. You can also use ramps to help them get onto the bed or sofa, or in and out of the car. And if you have hard floors, rugs and mats can help prevent slips and falls.
• Alternative therapies such as chiropractic and acupuncture. Always choose an accredited provider and ask your vet for a recommendation if you’re unsure.
• Surgery. For advanced dog osteoarthritis, your vet may recommend operating on damaged joint tissue or replacing the joint entirely.

A Better Quality of Life for Your Dog

Nobody likes to see their dog suffering with osteoarthritis and pain. While you can’t cure this condition, you can work closely with your vet to develop a personalised treatment plan. High-quality nutrition and careful weight management are at the heart of good osteoarthritis care, so ask your vet today about the best physical activities and dog food for joint health.