Dogs often suffer from knee and ankle pain just like humans do. But it’s essential to understand that, unlike us, they can’t speak up about how they feel. They often find it difficult even to show physical signs of pain. That makes it essential for pet owners to be attentive to behavioral changes in their pets.
Knee pain in dogs is a particularly painful issue. In fact, 85% of all orthopedic injuries in dogs are some form of ACL injury. While there may not be an immediate solution, reducing your dog’s overall discomfort is always worth the effort.
Here are a few things you can do if you suspect your dog might be suffering from knee or ankle pain.
Provide Nutritional Supplement
Nutritional supplements can provide significant relief to dogs suffering from knee pain and ankle pain. Natural, plant-based supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, Glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate have been found to reduce inflammation and help rebuild damaged connective tissue.
Additionally, natural anti-inflammatory supplements such as turmeric and curcumin can help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Other nutritional supplements that may relieve knee and ankle discomfort in dogs are vitamins C and E and proteins such as whey, omega-6 fatty acids, zinc, and magnesium.
Click here if you’re looking to purchase a supplement to improve your dog’s joint health. And as with any supplement, always consult a veterinarian first before starting any nutritional regime on your dog.
Give Your Dog Massages
To help provide your pup with relief, massages are a great option. Dogs can suffer from recurring knee and joint pain, like humans. The act of massage helps to improve circulation, release stress, and relax muscles.
You can apply a relaxing massage using your fingers, circular strokes, or even a tennis ball. Start by massaging the area for a few minutes before progressing to more intense movements such as light stretching and kneading. Be careful when giving the massage so as not to cause any discomfort.
You may want to switch up the massage techniques and use ice or warm compresses to help soothe the area. By providing your pup with soothing massages, you can help ease their pain and provide them with much-needed knee injuries.
Provide Gentle Exercises
Gentle exercises can also be a brilliant solution for helping to treat knee and joint pain in dogs. Walking and avoiding uphill or downhill terrain can help reduce stress on the legs.
Simple exercises can also help loosen tight muscles. Short-distance swimming is also a great option as it can provide low-affected exercise, which is still a suitable form of exercise.
Ground-level skill methods can be a great way to improve your pup’s direction while also providing a gentle way to build strength in their legs. But, no matter which exercises you choose, it’s important to always talk to your vet first. Make sure your pup’s condition is suitable for exercising.
Offer Supportive Booties
Supportive booties can be an effective means of providing relief from knee and joint pain in dogs. The booties provide support and cushioning for the joints, reducing stress and inflammation on them while protecting them from further damage.
Additionally, the booties can provide enhanced traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. These provide extra stability when walking or running.
The booties are adjustable and come in a variety of sizes tailored to any breed of dog. Furthermore, the materials used to make the booties are lightweight, making them comfortable and unlikely to cause discomfort for the dog wearing them.
Ultimately, supportive booties are a great way to help reduce knee and ankle pain in dogs.
Have Regular Visits to the Vet
When caring for a dog, visiting the vet regularly for checkups is essential. Checkups help keep these issues under control.
The vet can assess your pup and recommend treatments, such as physical therapy or medications, to help alleviate the pain. Depending on the cause of the pain, the vet may also suggest lifestyle changes to help your pup be more comfortable.
The vet can also provide tips on preventing future issues with joint ankle pain in dogs. This makes regular visits to the vet an essential factor that can help your pup enjoy a long and happy life.
Keep Them At a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight should be at the top of your list when it comes to keeping your pup healthy and happy. Excess weight puts an extra strain on the joints, particularly those of knee injuries and ankle. This can lead to pain, decreased activity level, and difficulty walking.
To help ease your pup’s discomfort, you should closely monitor their weight and portion sizes. Feeding a balanced diet, composed of whole ingredients rich in vitamins and minerals, will help provide the body with the nutrients it needs.
You must also keep your dog hydrated. Ensuring your dog has access to a steady stream of fresh water is essential. This can somehow help your dog manage this painful situation.
If your pup is active, or if the weather is hot, you should encourage them to drink more water than usual. Increased activity levels and heat can lead to dehydration.
You can also encourage your dog to drink more water by adding wet food, broth or creating an incentive system with treats.
Provide Proper Rest
Proper rest is critical to helping ease knee and ankle pain in dogs. If a dog is constantly active and doesn’t get a chance to rest their joints, the pain symptoms may worsen.
To provide proper rest, it’s essential to have the dog limit their activity and take frequent, short breaks throughout the day. This gives their knees and ankles a break from the constant strain they experience when running and playing.
Establishing a proper and consistent sleeping routine is also essential to reduce pain. Sleeping helps the joints relax and heal.
Ease Your Dog’s Knee and Ankle Pain Today
Knee and ankle pain in dogs can be a debilitating ailment. However, with the proper support, care, and treatments, your pup can return to normal in no time.
So what are you waiting for? If you suspect your dog is experiencing knee or ankle pain, contact your vet immediately to discuss your options!
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