As dogs get older, arthritis becomes very common. Arthritis can prevent your dog from moving easily and can be difficult to watch, as they suffer from continual pain. The good news is you can try different natural remedies to help treat your dog’s arthritis and alleviate their pain.

Weight

Regardless of your dog’s age, maintaining a healthy weight is important. If they do become overweight, the extra pounds will put even more strain on their joints and make the problem worse. Your vet is a great resource if you feel the need to get your pup on a diet that will benefit their arthritis.

Ramps & Pet Steps 

Senior dogs with arthritis may find getting out of beds or cars is not only very difficult, but extremely painful. Be sure to make your home an environment that will benefit your pup. Consider getting pet stairs for your bed, couch or car to alleviate their pain, or install a small ramp. This way, their joints experience less stress while still allowing your pet their independence.

Massage

Massages are great for all. They not only help ease sore muscles, but can also help lower blood pressure and stress for both you and your dog. This is also a great way to check in with your dog and note any new lumps or sore spots. Many techniques for dog massages can be found online, but be sure to ease your pup into it, as massaging too hard can cause them pain or discomfort.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for dogs? Yes, it’s a thing! Acupuncture creates a healing response in dogs by boosting blood circulation, stimulating the body’s natural release of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory hormones. This technique is best used on calm dogs, as movement is limited during this procedure. Acupuncture is painless for your dog, and can actually help combat pain and discomfort.

The main goal is to bring comfort and peace to your dog’s arthritis symptoms. These natural remedies are a great start to help ease your dog’s pain, or to use in combination with other procedures and medications.