Canine Arthritis And Overweight Dogs

Unfortunately, almost all canines will develop arthritis to some extent as they age. Just as with humans, osteoarthritis in dogs is a disease that attacks the joints of the animal. To be specific, their arthritis causes a thinning of the cartilage tissues that the body uses to protect the movable parts within the joint. As this tissue thins, the moving bones are allowed to touch and this causes great pain to the person or animal afflicted with the disease, since the living bone tissue contains countless thousands of nerve endings.

Although there is no cure for arthritis in either humans or canines, there are things to consider that can in fact decrease the symptoms and suffering associated with the disease. Besides providing glucosamine, one of these factors has to do with the size of the animal. It's a fact that large breed dogs usually suffer from the disease more than small breed dogs. This is because larger dogs have more weight and so their joints suffer more stress due to the increased burden.

Likewise, overweight dogs will suffer from the joint disease more so than those who are at their correct weight, or are even perhaps thinner. Although there is nothing that can be done to decrease the normal weight of large breed dogs, pet owners must ensure that no matter what the size of the dog is, that the animal is not carrying any extra weight.

Also, just as with humans, older dogs tend to gain weight. This is an unfortunate fact because it is in their older years that arthritis usually sets in. With the onset of arthritis and the common increase in body weight, the dog has an increased chance of suffering more.

As dogs age, their metabolism usually decreases along with their exercise level. If pet owners continue to feed the animal the same amount of food as when they were young, which many pet owners are in the habit of doing, it is not uncommon for the animal to gain significant weight in their later years.

Dog owners must be aware of this increasing weight and take measures to ensure the animal maintains the correct weight. Weighing their animal on a regular basis ensures the pet owner stays on top of this issue and doesn't let the weight get out of control. Increasing weight in a canine is simply a matter of either too many calories ingested and/or not enough exercise. Usually, it is advised to decrease the amount of food the older dog ingests daily in order to maintain the correct body weight.

It may be difficult for pet owners to do this because the dog with arthritis will still act hungry after the decrease in his or her daily allotment. It's simply a matter of knowing what is best for the animal and that this step must be taken in order to ensure the quality of life for the animal. If decreasing the calorie intake over a significant amount of time has not decreased the dogs weight, it is important to consult a veterinarian about this fact. There could be other issues, such as thyroid problems, that are preventing the dog from losing weight.

We have more information on our website pet owners can use to help their dogs deal with osteoarthritis joint disease. We offer Synflex liquid glucosamine, which is a safe and all-natural supplement product for treating joint disease in dogs. Also, we have Flexicose for pets which is completey safe and without side effects.