Arthritis doesn’t discriminate, it can affects not only people, but also afflicts our precious furry friends as well.  In fact, arthritis strikes one in every five adult dogs in the U.S. and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain that veterinarians treat.

Signs that your dog may possibly have arthritis:

• Favoring a limb
• Difficulty sitting or standing
• Sleeping more
• Seeming to have stiff or sore joints
• Hesitancy to jump, run or climb stairs
• Decreased activity or less interest in play
• Attitude or behavior changes
• Being less alert

If your dog seems to have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks take him to your veterinarian for an arthritis evaluation, and to get it started on a joint supplement like Natural Stride for Dogs as soon as possible. Treating canine arthritis is similar to that of human osteoarthritis.

Therapies may include:

• Healthy diet and exercise to help maintain proper weight.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): the most common form of pharmaceutical treatment for arthritis in dogs. But they can have side effects to look out for.
• Over-the-counter pet treatments, such as pills or food containing Cetyl Myristoleate, glucosamine, MSM and Omega fatty acids. They have shown to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis in dogs.

Note:

• Never give your dog human medication without checking first with your veterinarian. Certain medications can be toxic to dogs – particularly acetaminophen and ibuprofen – and a safe dose will differ between a greyhound and a dachshund.