How to Extend Joint Care for Dogs
Stiff, achy joints are an inevitable part of life for most dogs. In fact, one in five senior dogs has osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis found in canines. While wear and tear is inevitable as a dog ages, there are certain things that pet owners can do to extend joint care for dogs, which will be discussed here.
Why is it Important to Extend Joint Care for Dogs?
When pet owners prolong joint health in their dogs, they in turn prolong the quality of life of their best friends. A dog with arthritis or other degenerative joint disease will be unable to participate in the activities that he or she once loved. Instead, an arthritic dog will become withdrawn, lethargic, and potentially aggressive. For these reasons, extending and improving the health of a dog’s joints is important for a long and healthy life for your pet.
Signs and Symptoms of Unhealthy Joints in Dogs
The following are signs that your dog may be experiencing arthritis or other pain in his or her joints:
Limp/Gimp
Dogs are hard-wired to hide pain as much as possible. If your dog is limping or favoring a leg – particularly after long periods of rest – your dog is likely suffering from joint pain or injury.
Lethargy
If your dog is sleeping and lounging more than normal it may be due to painful and swollen joints.
Refusal to Jump or Exercise
If your dog used to jump on the bed or couch but no longer attempts to do so, a likely cause is joint pain. Similarly, if your dog is suddenly refusing forms of exercise he or she used to enjoy, such as running or walking, arthritis may be to blame.
Licking and Chewing
A dog’s natural reaction to pain is to lick or chew the area. If your dog is free of fleas or other allergens but is excessively licking or chewing an area near a joint, this behavior may be due to pain.
Aggression
A common reaction to pain is to growl, snap, or snarl. If your dog reacts aggressively to being pet or touched, consider whether arthritis is to blame.
Weight Gain
Weight gain, either due to inflammation or lack of activity, is another sign that your dog’s joint health is deteriorating.
Increased Accidents
Dogs that are suffering from arthritis struggle to position themselves properly to urinate and/or defecate, leading to increased accidents in the house.
Muscle Atrophy
Finally, lack of exercise and movement will result in muscle atrophy in dogs that are experiencing arthritis and joint pain, leading to the appearance of significantly smaller muscles.
Tips to Extend Joint Care for Dogs
Fortunately, pet owners can extend joint care for dogs by following these useful tips:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
One of the top ways to extend joint care for your dog is to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Every additional pound of weight your dog carries applies unnecessary stress to his or her joints. Dogs that maintain a healthy weight throughout their lifetime are less likely to prematurely experience the effects of arthritis.
Provide Daily Exercise
Exercise has many important functions for maintaining healthy joints in dogs. First, exercise is useful in sustaining a healthy weight in pets. Second, regular exercise increases blood flow which helps to maintain good joint health and reduce swelling or loss of mobility. Finally, daily exercise strengthens the surrounding muscles and ligaments to extend joint health for dogs.
Avoid Unnecessary Joint Stress
Examples of unnecessary joint stress include jumping out of high vehicles and onto concrete surfaces, or vigorous exercise on back to back days without rest. Instead, teach your dog to use steps (or lift your pet out of your car) and be mindful of your dog's recovery needs.
Take Injuries Seriously
One of the main causes of arthritis in young dogs is a joint injury, such as a sprain or strain. If your dog sustains an injury to a joint, visit your veterinarian to make sure proper steps are taken to heal and protect the area.
Provide Appropriate Bedding
Finally, to extend joint care for dogs always provide soft bedding for your pet. Dogs that sleep on hard floors such as wood or concrete are more likely to suffer from arthritis than those with soft beds or kennel mats.
How WINPRO Mobility Can Help Extend Joint Care for Dogs
If your dog’s joint health is a concern, WINPRO Mobility is formulated specifically to address mobility issues in dogs such as flexibility, loss of lateral motion, stiffness, soreness, and joint comfort. Like all WINPRO products, Mobility contains animal blood proteins that work quickly to reduce inflammation at the source. The additional active ingredient of balanced collagen supports the long-term health of your dog’s joints.
Since joint pain, swelling, and loss of mobility are all symptoms of inflammation, pet owners are guaranteed to see improvement in the joint conditions of their dogs or their money back. WINPRO Mobility is perfect for the aging dog who is beginning to show signs of arthritis as well as the young dog whose proactive owner simply wants to ensure a long, pain-free life. Dog owners across the country are seeing amazing results with WINPROMobility, so don’t delay in providing your dog with guaranteed joint relief!
WINPRO MOBILITY contains a blend of animal blood proteins and other key ingredients to support canine joint function and help dogs maintain joint mobility so they avoid “limp & gimp”, especially during times of increased activity. This product promotes joint comfort and movability and helps reduce stiffness & soreness from exercise or natural aging. A great product covering your dog's entire life cycle.