how do I make my dog with arthritis feel more comfortable?

Question

I adopted a 13 year old dog from the pound (they were about to put her to sleep) and she has mild arthritis. I give her soft pillows to lie on and let her be on the couch but she still seems to move stiffly and lies around a lot. Is there any special food I can give her or anything? I have never had an old dog before.

Answer 1

There is a food with Glucosime (sorry about spelling) it really helped my old rotty!! And you can give her Bayer aspirin (1 pill 2 times a day) please check with the vet first. this will also help. The food that I know of that have it are Avodreme Active care and Nutro Senior formula.

You can only use Bayer or non-buffered aspirin like baby aspirin though!! Not regular ever!!!!

Hope this helps

Answer 2

That is so incredibly sweet of you to adopt an older dog that needs a good home. I have SO much respect for people like you! What a great heart you have!

I have a 16 year old Golden Retriever who is worsening very quickly. For the last few years we have had our dog on arthritis pain killers that were prescribed by the vet. They seemed to help for a few years, but after some time there isn't much you can do. I recommend asking your vetrinarian for some medication. Also just loving your dog and petting him and continuing the soft pillows and such will continue to help him! If he's wagging his tail and happy, then he shoudln't be in too much pain! Best of luck with the little fella!!

Answer 3

You're wonderful for not only adopting a dog from the pound, but adopting a senior dog.

Our male dog Dio has arthritis in his right front elbow from an injury he suffered when he was nine months old (he's 3 now).
I know how hard it is to see them suffer and want to do anything you can to take away the pain and discomfort.
Here are the things that our vet suggested for Dio:
A padded bed (you already have that) with a heating pad (specifically for pets) to keep the joints warm.
A sheep skin pad to go on top of the bed because it holds in the warmth.
One 81mg Bayer tablet once a day (Never give your dog acetaminophen or ibuprofin because it is toxic to them).
Our vet also suggested a 400mg combination glucosamine, chrondrotin HCL, MSM supplement.
Now, that dosage was recommended for our 88 pound Dio.
You should talk to your vet before you give your girl any over the counter supplement because your dog may be smaller and the dosage could be too much.
Although it sounds odd, our vet also suggested that I wrap an Icy/Hot sleeve around his elbow when he's really having difficulty moving his leg.

Congratulations on your new addition and I hope you find something that gives her some relief.

Answer 4

Providing a soft bed is good, it will be helpful.

There are indeed prescription diets available from your vet that can help with arthritis - well, j/d by Hills is the only one I know of but I'm sure there will be more. There are also vitamin supplements that can help, like glucosamine, but again get your vet to advise on suitable ones for dogs and the correct dosage. You don't necessarily have to get the actual vits from the vet, but you do need advice on the dosage

By far the best management for arthritis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatories - Rimadyl is popular (prescription from vets). PLT is also available. Oh, also find out if she's overweight at all, as extra weight puts extra strain on joints.

Hope this helps, and well done on saving the doggy!

Chalice

Answer 5

There are joint supplements that you can add to her food and there are also special senior formula foods. You can also call your vet to get her on an anti-inflammatory medication for her arthritis. Also, I wouldn't suggest just putting down pillows - I would get something maybe that is firm with a pillow layer - they make therapeutic beds...and also some that warm to the touch that can really help her sore joints. Also, just laying around all day won't help her. Take your dog for short walks several times a day so that she is up and moving! She'll start feeling better soon.

Thanks for rescuing a senior dog!

Good luck!

Answer 6

Giving her the human equivalent of her weight in glucosamine every day will preserve her joints in the stste they are in now...but just make sure she doesn't have to do anything too stressful, like running around.

DO NOT drug her all day, every day...it's not healthy for dogs or people. Natural remedies are less effective but are way healthier. Save the drugs for day trips.

Do you live by a lake? Swimming is alot of fun for dogs with arthritis because it's slightly less stressful.

Answer 7

There are medications to ease the pain - sort of like glucosamine for humans. I would really suggest however to do water therapy with her. I know people who do it with older dogs and they love it. It also helps to keep them active. Because gaining weight can cause more joint pain. Take her to a lake or pond and let her swim, water provides a weighless environment to move around in without pain.

I would talk to a vet about some form of supplement or pain reliever if she seems to be in a lot of pain.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 8

They do make a dog food for senior dogs. Also you can get a product called Cosequin, it is for older arthritic pets,It is a glucosamine chrondroitin tab.
There is also a vitamin with Glucosamine in it I think it was called Vita Pet .
Another one is Arthrisoothe. it is also a tablet to help with joint problems and regenerates cartilage.

There are quite a few products you can use. But it is best to check with your Vet to see what he thinks would be best for you pet.

Answer 9

Feed her half an aspirin, or one baby aspirin a day.
Also Walmart has snacks that have glucosomine chondritin in them. But don't give more than six a day.
They're called:
Ol' Roy Daily Smart Bites
get the one that says .......Hip & Joint

Good Luck

Answer 10

Check with your vet but you should be able to give one buffered aspirin per day, depending on the size of the dog. My dog (he's 10 now!) takes an aspirin a day and it really makes a big difference in his mobility and comfort ( =

Good luck!