Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘natural’

The most common cause of arthritis in dogs is hip dysplasia.  Let’s take a look at the condition of hip dysplasia and the process that leads to arthritis.

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint.  In a normally developed hip joint the ball on the top of the femur (thigh bone) fits very snuggly and smoothly in the socket of the hip bone.We may find two different problems in the dog with hip dysplasia.  One, the ball does not sit deep and snug in the socket and two, the ball and/or the socket are not smooth and normally shaped. 

So why does this lead to arthritis?  Hip dysplasia brings on a vicious cycle.Inflammation results from the cartilage rubbing together between the abnormally shaped bones.  Inflammation further degrades the cartilage.Cartilage regrowth can be slow, possibly too slow to manage the rate of loss of cartilage.  The losses outweigh the gains.   The more damaged the joint becomes the less able it is to protect itself so even more damage occurs.

There are two possibilities as to how your dog developed hip dysplasia.  It is  a genetic condition,  meaning a dog may be born with the problem.  There is also evidence that environmental conditions can play a role.  Injury or overexertion at a young age, while the joints are still developing.You should not make your four month old lab puppy your daily jogging partner.That repetitive force on a sensitive, developing joint is damaging.

Many of the symptoms of hip dysplasia indicate a reluctance to use the joint.  Your dog may stand up slowly or with difficulty, may be reluctant to jump up on things or go up stairs and may even bunnyhop with his back legs when running.  Over time the muscles in the hip and thigh area may atrophy or shrink causing the bones to appear to be sticking out.

Hip dysplasia has no cure.  The condition is controlled with weight control, proper exercise and arthritis medicine for dogs.  Medication can come in the form of nutritional supplements such as glucosamine for dogs or anti-inflammatory drugs obtained from your veterinarian.  In severe cases hip replacement surgery may be considered.

If you think your dog may have a problem speak with your veterinarian about taking x-rays so you can diagnose the problem and start treatment right away.  With the proper management it is possible to slow down the arthritis and control the pain.  Also keep in mind that arthritis has other causes.  You may notice symptoms of arthritis in your dog but it does not necessarily mean that it was caused by hip dysplasia.Old age and injuries also play a part in the development of arthritis.  In any event, your arthritic dog may benefit greatly from supplementation to support the joints.

It makes sense that as a dog lover, there is nothing wrong with focusing on trying to ensure that our dog receives all of the things required to lead a healthy and happy life. The best dog food will most likely vary depending on what you read, but as long as you are buying dog food that contains as many natural ingredients as possible, then you are certainly off to an excellent start. In this day and age, it’s important to remember that the best rated dog food is not always going to be the best dog food for your dog.

It’s important to remember that all dogs are different. One brand of dog food that works wonders for keeping one dog energetic and content may make another to not be able to stop itself from throwing up on the rug for more than fifteen minutes. Because of this, when you are looking for the best dog food around, be sure to be aware that it may end up being a trial and error process at the beginning until you finally do find the best one for your pampered pet.

Where To Buy The Best

If you are trying to find the most suitable dog food around you may realize that the local supermarket is not the best place to start. Sadly, this thought is very often true most of the time. The reason is because the local big box stores and department stores do not seem to stock the more costly and higher quality types of dog food. In the end, you may find yourself heading right to the pet supply shop. Should you really find the best pet food there, you may be shocked by the price. But this is to be expected since these are generally more expensive stores.

Saving Dough On The Best Dog Food

Everyone understands that top quality generally doesn’t come cheap. However, if you are careful though and keep an eye out, you will often stumble across a coupon or two that can shave off a few dollars. Even though it may not seem like a lot of money compared to the total cost of the best dog food, it is still better than paying full retail.

One great website is Dog Food Help (http://dogfoodhelp.com). This website discusses the best organic dog foods on the market, and also has an entire section discussing dog food coupons that can save you serious money at the register. There are also helpful information on what’s best to feed your dog including a list of 10 top dog food brands, as well as what to do if your dog is too picky about food.

Head over to Dog Food Help and help your dog stay healthy!