If a dog suffers from joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia or spondylosis, fall is the time of year when joints often hurt and every step is difficult.
While you usually can’t “fix” and cure joint problems, there are many ways you can give your dog relief in wet and cold weather.
In the fall, the temperatures drop and the rainy days increase. Wind is often added to the mix. This is simply very unpleasant for dogs with joint problems. As the adverse weather conditions usually last for many months, you can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life with the tips I’ll share with you in this article.
How you can help your dog with osteoarthritis – pain-free through the fall
Heat
Heat helps your dog very well when he suffers from joint pain. They can therefore be used very well if a dog suffers from non-inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system. I like to apply heat to osteoarthritis, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and spondylosis – always outside of an acute episode. But heat is also an excellent remedy for chronic rheumatic and chronic inflammatory diseases. In addition, the heat also promotes joint mobility.
You can easily use heat therapy with the help of red light, cherry stone cushions and hot packs. You can find detailed instructions on how it works here: Heat therapy – how to use it correctly for joint diseases.
Curd wrap
Not only heat helps very well with joint pain, but also cold. I particularly like to recommend curd compresses here. They are quickly made, you actually always have everything for it in the house and they work quickly.
I love these time-honored “home remedies” that have been tried and tested for their effectiveness and passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, today I would like to recommend you the curd wrap. The curd wrap is a cold wrap and can be used for acute pain therapy in inflammation and swelling. It works most efficiently in the first 24 to 72 hours of inflammation/irritation. How you can best use it and what you need for it, I have summarized here: Quark compress – so it helps your dog with pain.
Dog coat
The decisive factor in determining whether a dog needs a dog coat is neither its size nor the length of its coat. Sure, for many short-furred and greyhound breeds, it’s indispensable either way. But that’s not the only place where it makes sense.
Especially for older dogs and quadrupeds with joint diseases, a dog coat is very useful, because it protects the back and joints from adverse weather conditions. It provides comprehensive protection against cold and moisture creeping into the joints. You can learn all the important facts in my article on the most important facts when choosing a dog coat.
Warm berth
Dogs sleep much more than we usually realize. 17-20 hours is quite normal. And even when they’re not sleeping, they’re often in their crib resting and snoozing. Therefore, you should always – but especially if a dog has joint problems or is older – make sure that it lies on a high-quality dog bed that has a good mattress. This not only ensures good positioning of the joints and spine and good blood circulation, but can also help to relieve pain.
Adapted movement – but do not spare completely
When the weather gets really grubby, even the walks get shorter some times. That is also legitimate. Still, it’s important to keep your dog mobile. Otherwise, the arthritis in the joint will continue to progress and your dog’s muscles will deteriorate. Targeted, regular exercise training with active exercises is a great way to balance out shorter walks.
Extra tip: If your dog has joint problems, it makes sense for him to take several shorter walks throughout the day. This significantly shortens the regeneration time. important here for your dog as a supplement to daily walks.
Pain relief with dietary supplements
There are many little helpers from nature that you can use to support your dog with joint problems. Depending on the case, they have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. Many also nourish the joint and support the cartilage. Frankincense, devil’s claw, ginger, rosehip and sea buckthorn berry are just a few examples. Overall, our nature holds a great variety of natural means to offer support to the joints of the dog.
As you can see, there are many ways to actively support your dog in the fall and winter if he suffers from joint disease. Would you like to learn more about it? Then take a look at our AGIL online courses!
All the love, your Tina
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