Treating Dog Arthritis Naturally

There is a growing market for herbal and natural medications. Although herbal medicine has yet to gain mainstream acceptance, it does not mean that they are ineffective. 

Whilst I don’t use herbal remedies that commonly, I am very open to the option and commonly use other natural treatments such as glucosamine and chondroitin. If my clients prefer a more natural approach in the treatment of their dog’s ailments then I would suggest a combination of western and alternative approaches that I know will help improve their dog’s condition.

Dog Arthritis Treatment Using Natural Products

Using the right kind of natural medication depends on the stage of your pet’s dog arthritis.

Early Dog Arthritis. Having an early diagnosis means the disease has caused only a small amount of damage to the joints. Here, the best thing you can do is to manage your dog’s weight. Proper diet and exercise is important. Dog massage and physical therapy will help in the improvement of blood circulation around the joints and muscles. For medications, I recommend using glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.

Moderate Dog Arthritis. A shrinking in muscle mass on the arthritic leg means that your dog’s arthritis has done considerable damage to the joint cartilage. Your dog becomes reluctant to move and will show lameness after physical activity. To deal with the pain and inflammation, vitamin E and Selenium supplements can be given. I also recommend an Omega-3 supplement paired with anti-oxidant supplements such as Wobenzym. In addition, you can opt for dog acupuncture and Chinese herb tonics. Alfalfa or meadowsweet could be used.

Advanced Dog Arthritis. This is when your dog is experiencing intense pain, making him very reluctant to move. Defecating and urinating will also be difficult. Moreover, behavioral changes like social withdrawal and defensive aggression will be observed. Here, herbal medications may no longer be effective; however, you can still use them in conjunction with other treatments.

In this severe dog arthritis stage, to alleviate the pain and inflammation, pain killers such as Tramadol or Amantadine, and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Metacam or Rimadyl should be administered. Physical therapy is needed to prevent further muscle shrinking and to promote blood circulation in the affected areas. Alongside these treatments, a strong tonic made of analgesic herbs (1/3 devils claw, 1/3 corydalis and 1/3 ginger) might help.

There are some people who claim that herbal medicine has greatly improved the life of their dog. However, as mentioned earlier herbal medicine is not an exact science. If you are considering using them for your pet’s dog arthritis, make sure that you are properly informed and consider it an adjunct to normal treatments rather than a treatment in itself. Most vets are not against natural treatments but it would be careless to place all your trust on herbal medicine.

Dog Arthritis Treatment (PDF)