[takeahike]

My dog had always been the life of the park, racing after frisbees and darting through fields with boundless enthusiasm. But one morning, I noticed something wasn’t quite right. She had always been so eager to jump up and chase, but I noticed she hesitated at the door, her tail lowered and her eyes less lively. Over the next few days, she became increasingly lethargic, refusing food and struggling to even climb the stairs. I rushed her to the vet, where they discovered that she had developed arthritis in her hips, which had made even simple movements a struggle. Now, we need to adjust to a slower pace, filled with more gentle walks and cozy naps. Those of you who have dogs with arthritis, what tips do you have for adjusting life to be more comfortable for them?

[Danielle DeGroot]

My sweet senior pup has had arthritis for a few years. One of the things I do is give her CBD chews and oil, which have helped her be more comfortable. We also live life at a slower pace. This means that she still gets her regular walks, but they are shorter and on an easier path. I also walk my younger dog separately. This helps my senior pup stay at a slower pace. High-impact stuff is off-limits. She loves fetch, so we have modified that game to be in a smaller area, with throws low to the ground, to avoid her jumping. I’ve increased her interactive toys to keep her entertained.

I have also started using a ramp for her when we get into the car to avoid extra stress on her joints. She can slowly walk up instead of jumping. My vet suggested adding joint supplements, such as fish oil. You can learn more about top joint supplements for dogs in this article and more about how to manage your pup’s arthritis here.

You may want to discuss diet with your vet. They can help you choose a food that offers extra support for your pup’s hips and joints. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA are very beneficial to support joint health, and your vet can help you choose supplements and anti-inflammatories. This guide shares some of the top picks for dog food to support arthritis and joint health.

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