5 Top Tips for Dogs with Arthritis

By far, the biggest veterinary diagnosis that I see in my office is pups with arthritis! While arthritis can seem like a heavy diagnosis in the fact that it is irreversible, there is so much that can be done to limit inflammation and preserve joint function! 💥

Here are my absolute favorite tips:

👉 regular chiropractic care! Duh, I’m a chiropractor! 😜 But really, chiropractic care is amazing for pups struggling with arthritis. So much of the chronic pain that comes along with these pups comes from the compensation patterns that come along with arthritis. Between keeping those joints moving properly and addressing compensation patterns- chiropractic can do wonders!

👉 hydrotherapy! Between the therapeutic warm water, increased cardiovascular output, and being able to stretch stiff joints while not weight bearing, hydrotherapy is awesome for pups with arthritis!

👉 cold laser and/or PEMF! Both are fantastic options for decreasing inflammation, stimulating mitochondria, and decreasing pain. Quite a few veterinarians offer this service, so make sure to ask if you think it might benefit your pup!

👉 at home exercises/stretches! If you’ve worked with me before with your pup, you know that I’m big on giving homework to help your pup hold their adjustment longer and maintain their new mobility.

👉 weight management! This one along with frequent nail trims are massive! With arthritis, why make the joints work any harder than they need to? Extra weight and long toe nails force the spine to work harder to stand up against gravity, leading to more wear and tear and degeneration long term. Talk to your vet to make sure your pet is the weight they should be.

These 5 tips are just scratching the surface in the way of managing arthritis in your pet. Arthritis doesn’t have to be a death sentence, there are endless ways to help manage it and the best approach is a multifaceted one! 🤗