Saucy Pet

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 the same as the shoulder joint, 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.  When a dog has hip dysplasia there are typically two different problems present.First, the ball and socket do not fit together snugly and second the ball or the socket are not shaped properly and smoothly. 

So why does this lead to arthritis?  Hip dysplasia brings on a vicious cycle.Cartilage wears away as the abnormally shaped bones rub together and cause inflammation.  Inflammation further degrades the cartilage.  Cartilage regrowth is a slow process, often times too slow to keep up with the loss of cartilage.The rate of loss is faster than the rate of gain.   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.The dog is born with the condition, it is genetic.  There is also evidence that environmental conditions can play a role.In developing joints of a puppy, an injury or overexertion.You wouldn’t want to take your three monthh old great dane on your daily jogs with you.That repetitive force on a sensitive, developing joint is damaging.

The symptoms of hip dysplasia all point to the reluctance to use the hip joint properly.Have you noticed that your dog is bunnyhopping instead of running or is reluctant to go up stairs or has even stopped jumping up to greet you.  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 cannot be cured.  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 you may be asked to consider hip replacement surgery.

If you suspect a problem talk with your veterinarian about the possibility of having x-rays done to diagnose the condition and begin treatment as soon as possible.  With the proper management it is possible to slow down the arthritis and control the pain.Don’t forget arthritis can be caused by other factors.Even if the symptoms of arthritis fit your dog hip dysplasia is not necessarily the cause of your dogs arthritis.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.

When it comes to taking care of our dog, there is nothing wrong with focusing on trying to ensure that our dog receives all of the things needed to be strong, healthy, and happy. The best dog food will in most cases be different depending on what you read, but as long as you are feeding them something that contains as many natural ingredients as possible, then you are certainly on the right track. With the amount of misinformation out there, also remember that the best rated dog food is not always going to be the best dog food for your dog.

Different kinds of dogs can handle different dog food brands in a strange way. What seems to make one dog energetic and healthy may cause another to not be able to hold itself from going to the bathroom for very long. So, when you are looking for the best dog food on the market, don’t forget to remember that it may very well be a trial and error situation for some time until you actually find the best one for your pampered pet.

Places To Find The Best

If you are shopping for the most suitable dog food around you may sense that the local big box store is not the best place to begin your search. While this is merely an opinion, it is one that several dog owners have. The reason is because the local supermarkets and warehouse clubs do not seem to have the more suitable and higher quality types of dog food. Because of this, you may head right to the pet supply shop. Should you happen to stumble across the best pet food there, you might be shocked by the cost. But this is quite normal since these are largely more expensive stores.

Saving Money On Organic Dog Food

Most of us know that good quality really doesn’t come cheap. However, if you are vigilant in keeping your eyes wide open, you will most likely score a coupon or two that can save you some money. Now, it may not seem like a lot of dough compared to the overall price of the best dog food, it is much better than paying full price.

One excellent resource is Dog Food Help (http://dogfoodhelp.com). This website introduces the best healthy dog foods around, and even has an entire category discussing dog food coupons that can save you substantial dough on your next pet food purchase. You’ll also find some helpful articles 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.

Go to Dog Food Help and keep your dog healthy and happy!