Relieving pain in dogs is a big topic. But sometimes you can also prevent the administration of painkillers – and if so, how?! Absolutely! With heat, for example, you can help your dog very well when he suffers from pain. It is good for your dog if he suffers from muscle tension, for example. It also helps with diseases of the musculoskeletal system that are not acutely inflammatory. These include hip dysplasia, spondylosis, or osteoarthritis outside of an acute episode. Heat is also an excellent remedy for chronic rheumatic and chronic inflammatory diseases. You can also do something good for your older dog with heat. It not only relieves pain, heat also helps to become more mobile.
Heat is also good for the healthy dog
You can use heat treatments both alone but also accompanying the massage . Also as a preparation for active exercises, after sports, before or after a walk, you can do something good for your dog with heat and make him feel good.
When is it off limits with your dog?
You should not use heat on your dog for acute inflammation, fever and infectious diseases. Heat is also taboo for edema, hematomas and bleeding. In addition, you should refrain from heat therapy if your dog suffers from heart failure, tumors and also pregnancy, as it can promote labor.
Relieve pain in dogs – Why does heat help against pain?
Depending on the type of application, the heat goes about 1-2 cm deep. If you look at the front leg of the dog here, for example, this is already quite deep. It has various effects. Blood circulation is stimulated because the heat causes the vessels to dilate and the blood to flow faster. The positive effect is that inflammatory substances are removed and the oxygen supply is increased (thus increasing the metabolism in the tissue). Thus, in chronic inflammatory diseases, it leads to inhibition of inflammation, since the heat removes the inflammatory substances. At the same time, the muscles relax and pain is relieved. Joint mobility is increased because the heat makes the joint fluid less viscous, and connective tissue structures such as ligaments and tendons become more elastic. The stiffness of the joints becomes less and your dog becomes more mobile and agile.
Relieve pain in dogs with heat:
Forms of heat therapy include red light, hot packs, various core and grain pillows, hot water bottle, hot roll, and steam bath, e.g., for bronchial infections.
Red light
Red light is very good to treat larger areas. The red light lamp should be about 30-40 cm away from the dog. It is optimal if the infrared rays hit your dog at a 90 degree angle. Since the heat can be very intense, you should adjust the duration and intensity individually. Your dog can stay under the red light for 15-30 minutes depending on how he likes it.
Hot Packs
They are very easy to handle and are particularly suitable for local application. Heat them in the microwave or in a water bath. They hold the temperature for about 1 hour. After you have warmed up the hot pack, wrap it in a towel so that the heat does not become too intense and place it on the body area you want to treat. The Hot Pack cools over time and can be left on your dog for 15-30 minutes.
Grain / core pillow
Grain or cherry pit pillows are also very good for local treatment. Heat them in the oven or microwave and then place them on the body area you are treating for about 15-30 minutes. By the way, grain pillows also provide relief from abdominal pain.
How often can you treat your dog with heat?
You can treat your dog daily – even several times – if necessary.
But attention:
Do not leave your dog alone during heat therapy so that you protect him from overheating and overreacting. You should also never attach a hot pack, cherry pit pillow or hot water bottle to your verbeiner. He must be able to avoid the heat and stop the treatment at any time. Relieve pain in dog Relieve pain in dog Relieve pain in dog Relieve pain in dog Relieve pain in dog
Would you like to learn more about pain in dogs and how to reliably recognize signs of pain? Then sign up for my free mini course “Recognizing signs of pain in dogs – incl. Checklist” on!
All the love, your Tina
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