Natural Remedies for Dogs With Joint Pain

Diet can be an important influence on inflammatory processes that cause joint pain in dogs such as osteoarthritis. Certain nutrients can help improve joint and bone condition, but the wrong food can exacerbate them. For example, it is important to ensure a dog with arthritis maintains an optimal weight, otherwise it puts more pressure on their joints.

Calcium is of particular importance to dogs with joint pain. It helps to strengthen bones, but it is also necessary for various bodily functions such as blood clotting, cardiac activity and nervous system regulation. Calcium may be recommended in supplements or in reinforced feed, but we must discuss this with our veterinarian first. Too much calcium can be problematic and lead to other problems such as kidney stones.

There are some foods rich in calcium that dogs can eat. They include:

• Eggshell: you can pulverize the eggshell in a food processor or purchase eggshell powder. Add it to their normal feed two or three times a week.
• Fish: salmon, sardines and trout are also great natural sources of calcium. Some pieces can be given as an additional treat or they can be part of a homemade diet for dogs with joint pain. This will need to be part of a balanced diet to avoid unnecessary weight gain.
• Plain yogurt: natural Greek yogurt is best, ideally the low-fat variety. It should contain as little lactose as possible, have no additives such as sugar and be given in small amounts.
• Chard and spinach: some vegetables also contain calcium, in addition to other essential vitamins for your dog.

The dosage of calcium for adult dogs is 120 mg per kilo of their weight and for puppies 320 mg per kilo of their weight. It is recommended to always consult with a professional beforehand: Depending on the age and physiology of the dog, they will indicate the exact dose and the steps to follow to help your dog's individual situation.

As stated above, diet is important to prevent complications for joint disorders such as obesity. What you don't feed a dog can be just as important as what you do feed them. Ensuring a balanced diet is a natural treatment for joint pain in dogs that also acts as a preventive.

It is also necessary for you to adapt the dog's diet to their specific needs. Factors such as age, energy levels and overall health will need to be taken into consideration, as well as their joint pain. If your dog is already overweight or obese, we will need to ensure they have the nutrients they need to manage joint pain, but also reduce the calories so they can lose weight.

Take a look at our guide to homemade recipes for overweight dogs to learn more.

If your dog suffers from joint pain, heat may help temporarily reduce their discomfort. Especially in the mornings or on colder days, we should apply this home remedy for joint pain in dogs on the affected joints. Heat can help to reduce stiffness in the dog's legs before and /or after a walk. This will help them to ensure they still get the exercise they need, despite their joint problems. Ensure the heat pads are not too hot as this can cause more harm than good.

Vitamins are essential nutrients for any dog, but it is important they are provided in the right balance. Dogs with joint pain will have a need for some combination of the following vitamins:

• Vitamin A: intervenes in the growth and formation of bones. It can also help reduce inflammation, prevent and/or improve loss of mobility in the dog's joints.
• Vitamin C: is involved in collagen synthesis and is an excellent choice to help reduce bone pain in a dog.
• Vitamin D: helps absorb calcium, contributing to bone strengthening and preventing joint wear in the process. It is an essential vitamin since its deficiency could greatly affect the dog's bones, causing skeletal problems and pain. Be careful with the dose to administer to your dog since the excess of this vitamin is not eliminated through urine and could accumulate in the liver, causing poisoning.
• Vitamin E: a powerful antioxidant. It prevents cartilage from becoming thinner over time and may slow the onset of arthritis. Combining this vitamin with omega-3 fatty acids can help absorption.
• Vitamin K: contributes to the maintenance of healthy and strong bones, although it is not its main function.

Learn more about providing these vitamins as natural remedies with our articles on vitamin D for dogs and vitamin K for dogs.

If your dog has any condition that causes joint pain, it is necessary to continue providing opportunities for exercise. This will most commonly be in the form of walking, but moderate exercise in other forms can be beneficial. It will need to be carried out in a controlled manner as putting too much strain on their joints can exacerbate their problem.

Exercising also prevents obesity. Don't hesitate to take walks and exercise with your dog to stimulate its mobility and reduce bone pain. Swimming is also a good option if your dog enjoys water.

Learn more about how exercise can be a natural remedy for dogs with joint pain in our guide to physical therapy for dogs with arthritis.

It is necessary that if your dog's bones and joints hurt, they have a warm and comfortable place to relax. This means they will need a soft and padded bed which will conform to their body. It will also need to be somewhere warm since cold air and drafts can exacerbate joint pain. The bed should be padded, but not so soft that it does not support the dog's joints. It should also be free of foot traffic and general noise.

The efficacy of many natural anti-inflammatory substances lack conclusive scientific support. There are some preliminary studies which suggest potential benefits, but these have not been proven via clinical studies. The natural remedies may be used as dietary supplements, but only under the guidance of a veterinary professional. They will be able to determine the dosage and inform us of any contraindications for our particular dog.

With this in mind, the following natural treatments for joint pain in dogs have been suggested:

• Turmeric: contains the ingredient curcumin which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. It can have adverse side effects if used in high amounts.
• Devil's claw: has some promising studies which suggest it may help with osteoarthritis in dogs, although research is currently inconclusive.
• Arnica: too much can be toxic so always use dosage recommended by veterinarian.
• Green-lipped mussel: a bivalve mollusk from New Zealand, there are some promising studies which suggest benefits when incorporated into a diet for dogs with joint pain^[1].
• Fish oil: contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which are helpful in joint conditioning.

Learn what are the best foods for dogs with omega-3 fatty acids in our related article.

One of the most enjoyable natural treatments for joint pain in dogs is massaging the animal. Especially before and after exercise, massaging the dog can help to ensure they have better reticulation when exercising. Massaging can help to mitigate the pain of joint disease, helping to stimulate blood circulation and relax muscles. It also helps to improve the bond you have with the dog and better ensure their overall well-being.

Take a look at our article on exercises to help dogs with hip dysplasia as they can also assist dogs with other joint pain problems.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Natural Remedies for Dogs With Joint Pain, we recommend you visit our Home Remedies category.