8 Ways to Keep Your Dog's Joints Healthy

Dogs are known for their boundless energy and enthusiastic personalities. It's what we love about them! However, as your fur babies age, it's important to keep an eye on their joints. Joint health can decline as a dog gets older, which can lead to pain and mobility issues. In this blog post, we will discuss ways to keep your dog's joints healthy and strong throughout his life.

Prevent Slips

One of the easiest ways to help keep your dog's joints healthy is to replace any slippery rugs around the house with nonslip mats. This will help prevent your dog from slipping and injuring himself on hard floors. Although a dog's paws are textured, slippery surfaces such as laminate flooring can be difficult for dogs to navigate, especially if they are eager to get out a door or chow down on a tasty treat!

Make Sure Your Doggo is Cozy

Another way to protect your dog's joints is to provide him with a comfortable orthopedic bed. These beds are designed to support your dog's joints and help relieve pain. A heated bed might be a good idea if your dog's fur is thin. You can find orthopedic beds at most pet stores or online.

Get Your Doggo Moving

One way to keep your dog's joints healthy is to ensure that he is getting enough exercise. Exercise helps to keep the joints lubricated and can prevent stiffness.

Some dogs enjoy fetching balls or toys as part of their daily routine; others may prefer going on walks around the block with you. No matter what type of exercise you choose, make sure that it's something fun—your pup will be more likely to stick with it if he enjoys himself! 

However, it's important not to overdo it - too much exercise can actually be harmful to joint health. A moderate amount of daily exercise is ideal for most dogs.

Give Him a Balanced Diet

Another way to keep your dog's joints healthy is to give him a balanced diet. A diet that is rich in omega-three fatty acids has been shown to be beneficial for joint health. You can find these fatty acids in foods like fish, flaxseed, and chia seeds. Adding these ingredients to your dog's food will help keep his joints healthy into old age.

Weight control

Dogs that are overweight or obese can have joint problems, just like people do. They also have other health issues because of their weight, like heart disease and diabetes; these problems can also cause joint issues in dogs. As a dog parent, you should keep an eye on their dog's waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) to know how close they are to being overweight or obese. If a dog has a WHR higher than .8 for females and .9 for males, he would really need to lose some weight.

Keep a Closer Look

Examine your dog's joints regularly, especially if he has specific breeds that are more prone to joint problems like golden retrievers and labradors. If you notice any swelling, tenderness or pain when you pet your dog, take him to the vet.

Find the Right Supplement

You can also help your dog's joint health by using supplements specifically designed for dogs. These supplements often contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which have been shown to be helpful in maintaining joint health.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is a building block for cartilage. The body naturally produces glucosamine, but as dogs age, it's possible that their bodies produce less of this important compound.

For older dogs, adding glucosamine supplements to their diet can help reduce joint pain and swelling that comes from arthritis. F Glucosamine helps rebuild cartilage, which is what protects joints from rubbing together as it normally does when a dog moves.

Glucosamine can be found in many vitamins designed especially for senior dogs with joint issues, just like Dr. Shiba's Jolly Joints. This healthy-licious snack contains a combination of important chondroitin, glucosamine, calcium and vitamins. Combining these elements increases joint lubrication, strengthens connective tissue, and reduces the risk of joint inflammation, making an active dog lifestyle seamless. 

Learn more about the benefits of Jolly Joints here.

While Dr. Shiba's Jolly Joint is vet-approved, we recommend that you talk to your veterinarian about this functional snack or any other supplement.

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can help keep your dog's joints healthy and strong throughout his life. This will allow him to stay active and enjoy all the things he loves - like chasing balls and playing with his friends - for many years to come.