Dog Joint Pain Relief
As our pet dogs get older, things that were once second nature become more of an effort. And, thanks to the advances made in veterinary medicine and animal care, many dogs are living to a much older age. However, longer lives also increase the odds that they will suffer from degenerative joint disease or arthritis.
As dogs age, the cartilage in their joints begins to deteriorate. Cartilage cells begin to die off. When this happens, they release enzymes that cause inflammation or swelling of the joints. With severe cartilage thinning, the normal joint space narrows, and the bone beneath the cartilage also deteriorates. All of these aging processes set in motion further changes in the normal functioning of your pet's joints. An ongoing spiral of discomfort, lameness, inactivity, and muscle atrophy takes place. Here are some strategies to help support your dog's joint comfort.
Comfort Around the Home
Provide your pet with comfortable and padded bedding. Also, keep your dog's bed away from cold or damp drafty areas of the house. Carpet and rugs on tile floors can also provide relief for them as they walk around the house. Offer padded steps or a ramp to get on and off the bed or couch if they are allowed to rest there. Consider nonskid flooring wherever there are slippery surfaces can also help keep them comfortable.
Massage and Acupressure
Most dogs with arthritis enjoy a gentle muscle massage. Massaging joints and muscles help stimulate blood flow to muscles that are atrophying. There are certified dog massage therapists available in most areas of the country. Also, there are Youtube videos that demonstrate massage techniques to pet owners.
Exercise
Increasing mobility through moderate exercise is vitally important regardless of the age of your dog. A daily walk around the block will do wonders to help keep your pooch limber. A dog with early arthritis should get more exercise than an elderly pet with severe joint disease. Non-weight bearing exercises like swimming is an excellent exercise. Talk to your vet about starting an exercise regiment for your pet if they have been inactive for a while.
Other Natural Approaches
Beyond supplements, several other natural approaches may support a comfortable, mobile dog — all best discussed with your veterinarian before you begin. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the most important, since extra pounds add load to already-stressed joints. Some owners also use omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oil) and turmeric to support a healthy inflammatory response, along with hands-on therapies like acupuncture, professional massage, and hydrotherapy (water-based exercise) to support circulation, comfort, and mobility.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications (NSAIDs)
As humans, we often take NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling. If your dog has arthritis, your veterinarian may prescribe NSAIDs. They can give temporary relief. Also, a lot of pet owners are concerned with the potential adverse effects of NSAIDs, which can include gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney issues. Talk with your veterinarian about what is right for your pet. Our guide to what you can give a dog for pain covers the medication options in more detail.
Supplements
When the natural aging process causes your pet to slow down, there are dog joint supplements to help support joint comfort in your pet. However, there are seemingly countless joint supplements available to promote healthy cartilage and joint health. These contain varying combinations of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and other ingredients. Not all joint supplements are the same. Do your diligence and research the best joint supplement available for your pet. There are plenty of inexpensive supplements with cheap ingredients that really do little good. Read the label carefully before buying, or show the ingredients to your veterinarian.
Furthermore, starting a supplement before age-related changes set in is a proactive way to support your pet's ongoing joint health. A high-quality supplement like Flexpet can help support joint health and mobility as your pet ages.
Flexpet for Your Dog's Joint Comfort
Flexpet joint supplements are the only supplements to contain Cetyl Myristoleate (CM8). This is a natural compound that was discovered by a National Institute of Health researcher (Dr. Harry Diehl). He was researching arthritis. He found that certain mice were resistant to arthritis, and the compound cetyl myristoleate was responsible. Dr. Diehl created a way to recreate the compound. CM8 has been studied for joint health and supports joint lubrication and comfort.
Flexpet also contains glucosamine sulfate potassium. This is an amino sugar that helps support the structure and function of joints. It occurs naturally in the body, and it plays a key role in cartilage construction.
MSM is included, too. this is a sulfur compound that occurs naturally in plants and animals. Pets need MSM to form connective tissue. It supports healthy connective tissue and joint comfort. MSM is also an antioxidant. MSM increases the absorption rate of larger compounds like glucosamine. This allows the body to better process both compounds and increases effectiveness.
In addition to these ingredients, Flexpet also contains hydrolyzed collagen type II. As a key building block of cartilage, it helps support and cushion the joints. Flexpet also has bromelain. This is found naturally in pineapple stems. It supports a healthy inflammatory response and comfortable movement. Flexpet includes a dose of vitamin C that supports tissue health. Also, it supports the maintenance of cartilage. We also include an enzyme blend to aid in digestion, avoid stomach problems, and allow your pet's body to properly absorb the larger molecules like CM8.
At Flexpet, we care about you and your pets. We want to help you keep them as healthy as possible. We have a fantastic and knowledgeable customer care team available to answer any of your questions about our joint supplement products and how they may help your dog or cat. Flexpet comes with a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, or by phone at 1-800-505-0575.