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Strengthening dog joints – how to help your furry friend
Aug
Your dog's joints are truly all-rounders. They are what make every movement possible, from boisterous romping to long walks to joyful tail wagging. To ensure your four-legged friend goes through life pain-free, it is especially important to Strengthen dog jointsThis, in turn, is only possible when strong bones, healthy joints, and functioning muscles work together.
Especially in larger dogs, it's clear how even minor disturbances in the complex system of muscles, bones, joints, and tendons can lead to problems. Rapid growth, weight gain, or excessive demands often lead to musculoskeletal problems, especially in large dog breeds like Labradors and Newfoundlands.
In this article, you will learn how to recognize joint problems, what typical joint diseases there are, and how you can prevent them.
How to recognize possible joint pain and strengthen your dog's joints
Dogs are truly masters at hiding their discomfort. As dog owners, we often remain unaware for a long time of how much they and their joints actually endure every day. Nevertheless, there are some typical signs that indicate something is wrong with their musculoskeletal system.
These include:
- Walks stiffly and awkwardly after exercise or rest periods.
- Visibly drops a foot or limps when walking.
- Has difficulty getting up after lying down.
- Avoid jumping onto the sofa or bed and climbing stairs.
- Shows less joy on walks and no longer walks as usual.
- Neglects grooming in hard-to-reach areas of the body.
- Flinches or withdraws when sensitive areas are touched.
- Loses motivation for shared activities and avoids closeness.
- Eats noticeably little or refuses food.
- Place only careful strain on the affected legs or do not put any strain at all.
- Increased licking, chewing, or biting of painful joints.
- Shows thickening, warmth, or redness in the joints.
- Appears generally restless or unusually apathetic.
- Develops a fever or appears weak.
Not only external injuries such as bone fractures, muscle strains, or ligament sprains can trigger such warning signs. Common joint diseases, including osteoarthritis, elbow dysplasia, or hip dysplasia, can also be the cause.
Typical joint diseases in dogs
If you've noticed one or more of the symptoms listed above in your furry friend, you shouldn't hesitate to have them examined by a veterinarian. To reduce the risk of joint problems like those we'll look at below, it's especially worthwhile to strengthen dog joints naturally. We'll show you how best to do this below.
Shoulder: Growth problems and injuries
Developmental disorders can often occur in your dog's shoulder, especially at a young age. A classic example is osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). In this condition, the cartilage fails to mature as intended, resulting in painful inflammation in the shoulder joint. Fast-growing large breeds are particularly affected. The risk can be reduced by strengthening your dog's joints overall from the beginning.
However, if a dislocation occurs, it is usually caused by external influences, such as impacts or accidents. The result is instability, sudden lameness, and lasting restriction of movement.
Elbow: From malformation to wear and tear
It's not uncommon for a dog's elbow to become unbalanced. This is often caused by elbow dysplasia. The affected bones are not optimally aligned from birth, which promotes the development of painful arthritis. Large, powerful dog breeds such as Labradors and German Shepherds are often particularly susceptible to this condition. Furthermore, in some dogs, the cartilage wears away with age, resulting in classic arthritis symptoms and limited mobility. Here, too, specifically strengthening a dog's joints is an effective approach.
Wrist: Overstretching after exercise
The wrists (carpal joints) of your very active dog are predisposed to overstretching. When carpal hyperextension occurs, the ligaments have been strained beyond normal limits, perhaps due to an awkward landing after a jump or sudden overload. The result: pain, instability in the paw joint, and visible difficulty walking.
Hip: Dysplasia as a classic
The dreaded hip dysplasia is widespread in the hip area. It is caused by an incorrectly formed hip socket that doesn't properly enclose the femoral head. This results in instability, increasing pain during movement, and growing limitations in daily life. Affected dogs often develop osteoarthritis over the course of their lives, which can be treated with comprehensive joint strengthening.
Knee: The cruciate ligament as a weak point
The knee is a particularly vulnerable area for mobility problems. Many active dogs experience partial or complete tears of the anterior cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). This ligament tear causes the knee to lose its necessary stability, resulting in acute pain, significant lameness, and, in the long term, osteoarthritis. Athletic or heavy dogs are particularly susceptible.
Ankle: Running at the limit
In the lower limbs, the hock absorbs most of the impact during rapid runs or jumps. If a dislocation or sprain occurs, your dog can barely bear weight on the paw. Mobility is painfully restricted, and swelling is often present.
Other possible causes of joint problems
Many chronic or acute joint problems also develop in dogs as a result of other causes. Obesity, for example, significantly increases any strain on already strained joints. Osteochondrosis can also affect the hips, knees, elbows, or ankles, and age-related wear and tear processes such as osteoarthritis often occur in multiple joints, rather than just one.
How is joint pain treated in dogs?
The treatment of joint pain and discomfort always depends on the specific cause. If your dog suffers from osteoarthritis, arguably the most common joint disease in older dogs, this primarily means that daily routine must be adjusted. In addition to weight, stress, exercise, and possible nutrient deficiencies play a significant role. In this case, you especially need to strengthen your dog's joints. A critical look at feeding is just as important at this point as avoiding excess weight and overly demanding activities.
Veterinarians often resort to pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications for severe pain. These medications provide quick relief, but cannot address the underlying cause of the problem. Furthermore, if pain is consistently eliminated, your dog can easily become overworked because warning signals are missed, and further damage can result. Furthermore, some pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications place a long-term strain on the sensitive mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. In these cases, additional gastric protection medications are often used, which quickly lengthens the medication list.
The therapeutic options for joint pain in detail:
- Pain-relieving medications for acute relief of symptoms
- Massages and targeted exercise therapies to relieve and strengthen the musculoskeletal system
- Physiotherapy
- Surgical interventions for osteoarthritis or other degenerative joint diseases
- Surgical correction of patellar luxation, depending on the severity of the instability
Your goal should always be to provide long-term relief to joints, gently alleviate pain, maintain mobility, and enable your companion to live a pain-free daily life. It's best to discuss any changes with your veterinarian. Together, you can find the right strategy for your four-legged friend's specific needs.
How to strengthen your dog's joints with home remedies
Dog joints can be strengthened naturally. Several tried-and-tested home remedies have proven effective. We've summarized them for you below.
glucosamine
The body's own component of cartilage is often used as a food supplement for dogs. Animal lovers, in particular, swear by it because glucosamine contributes to cartilage formation and ensures that joint surfaces remain lubricated. It is originally often found in the shells of crabs, shrimp, and mussels.
Chondroitin
Another popular home remedy is chondroitin. It comes from animal cartilage structures and is often used in conjunction with glucosamine. Chondroitin is said to keep cartilage flexible and slow its deterioration, especially in older dogs whose joint cartilage is already showing signs of wear.
Omega fatty acids 3
Oils from fish, algae or linseed often end up in the bowl when the dog's joints need to be strengthened. Omega fatty acids 3 They score points for their natural anti-inflammatory effect. When fed regularly, they can help reduce inflammation in the joints and promote general mobility.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethan)
MSM is a sulfur compound that occurs naturally in many animal and plant foods. It is often used to support collagen production in the musculoskeletal system. Those who supplement with MSM hope to improve joint flexibility and accelerate recovery after exercise.
Turmeric
The well-known turmeric root is a true classic among natural anti-inflammatories. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which can counteract inflammatory processes. Therefore, people, and increasingly dog owners, turn to turmeric powder or capsules, especially at the first signs of joint pain or as part of general prevention of joint problems in dogs.
Green-lipped mussel extract
Green-lipped mussel from New Zealand has proven particularly effective. Its extract boasts a unique combination of glycosaminoglycans and natural omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are known to naturally support mobility and increase the enjoyment of activity.
If you want to support your furry friend in a targeted and holistic way, IN MOTION 365Our high-quality supplementary feed specifically designed for everyday mobility is the perfect choice for your four-legged friend. The fine composition of green-lipped mussel, willow bark, and devil's claw, along with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and L-carnitine, comprehensively supports the musculoskeletal system and is able to specifically strengthen the dog's joints.
This provides your four-legged friend with important building blocks for cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, helping them stay vital, active, and full of life for longer. Whether on a walk, participating in dog sports, or simply playing, IN MOTION 365 is essential support for all dogs who are active.
Do you already have the other posts in ours? Blog read? Here you will find detailed articles on the following topics:
Probiotics for dogs – what you should know!
Nutrition for older dogs – how to keep your dog fit!
Nutritional supplements for puppies
You will also find out why dietary supplements for dogs could make sense and what you can do with it Arthrose can do for your furry friend!
