Does Cold Weather Affect Dogs with Arthritis?
Most people with arthritis will tell you they feel more pain during cold weather. The problem is doctors have not found a reason for why this occurs. We assume that a portion of the cause is a drop in air pressure. This can allow tissues to swell causing inflammation. Also, the effect cold has on muscles is a stiffening that can be uncomfortable even for those who do not have joint issues. The same holds true for our animal friends and pets that suffer from the effects of arthritis. We can see they suffer from more discomfort when the temperature is cold. Still - doctors can not tell us exactly why this happens.
As dogs age, many fall victim to the painful effects of arthritis. This joint disease is most often from natural wear and tear on the joints. This leads to degeneration of the cartilage that cushions the bones. As arthritis progresses, your dog may begin to experience worse discomfort and a decrease in mobility.
Cold winter weather often leads pet owners to stay inside more often. This shortens daily walks and may even eliminate trips to the park. Arthritic dogs need movement to warm up and stretch their muscles. These activities typically reduce stiffness in the joints. If your pet is less active during the winter months, its joints may become even stiffer than usual, causing greater discomfort and more difficulty moving around the home.
How You Can Help Your Pup During the Winter
Get Moving - One of the most important things for your dog to do when they are experiencing an arthritis flare-up is to exercise. Although they may not want to or might feel stiff at first, getting up and moving will warm up and strengthen your dog's muscles and reduce stiffness in the joints. Aim to go on a walk at least once (if not twice) a day, in spite of the cold temperature. If the weather is too harsh to be outside, get your dog up to play indoors and encourage or motivate them to move around the house.
Heating Pads and Blankets - Make the house as cozy as possible: When we're in pain, we want nothing more than to get comfy at home, and your dog wants the same. Make sure that their bed is accessible so that they don't have to travel too far to snuggle up in it, and consider layering some extra blankets or a heating pad for additional comfort.
Add a layer of insulation - Short-haired dogs may benefit from a warm sweater, even when indoors.
Hydrate - Staying hydrated by always having a water dish nearby has many health benefits. Maintaining access to fresh water so your pet can stay hydrated supports joint comfort by helping keep the cartilage soft and hydrated. Water also helps your pet maintain a sufficient blood volume. This will aid nutrients moving throughout your pet's blood and into the joints.
Massage - You could very well find massage therapists and/or acupuncturists in your area who are licensed to treat dogs. This can help your dog feel more comfortable on especially difficult days so that your dog isn't in nearly as much distress.
Joint Supplements - A quality joint care supplement is designed to support the cartilage in your pet's joints. Ingredients like glucosamine help support the cartilage-forming cells in your pet's body. Supplements take some time to begin making an obvious effect. They need to be given regularly and routinely. Another supplement ingredient that supports joint health in pets is MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is a sulfur compound that occurs naturally in plants and animals. It is needed by the body to form connective tissue, and it supports healthy connective tissue and joint comfort.
How FlexPet Helps
FlexPet contains the ingredients listed above - glucosamine and MSM. FlexPet is the only pet supplement that contains cetyl myristoleate (CM8). This is a naturally-occurring compound that has been studied for joint health. Research found that mammals like mice that naturally produce cetyl myristoleate are resistant to arthritis. CM8 is the key ingredient in FlexPet. It is what sets FlexPet apart from other pet supplements.
FlexPet is an all-natural way to help support your dog's joint function and quality of life. FlexPet has been on the market for 15 years and is recommended by veterinarians. FlexPet has over 100 reviews on Amazon from verified purchasers. And furthermore, FlexPet is made from all-natural human-grade ingredients in the USA.
FlexPet is available in two forms – as a delicious maximum-strength soft chew treat and as a chewable tablet. Both forms are tasty treats to our pets so they won't even know they're taking a supplement.
We strive to make it as easy as possible for new users to try FlexPet. If you don't feel like you saw results from FlexPet, you can return the empty bottles/pouches and we'll refund your full purchase price (minus shipping and handling). We also have a fantastic and knowledgeable customer care team available to answer all of your questions at 1-800-505-0575.
FlexPet comes in a maximum strength soft chew product for large dogs, as well as a regular strength chewable tablet (our standard formula). If your dog could use extra joint support, we encourage you to give FlexPet a try.
About FlexPet: FlexPet is a joint supplement for dogs built around CM8® (cetyl myristoleate) — made in the USA and trusted since 1999. See what makes CM8® different →