If you are a dog owner, you'll want to make sure that your special pal stays as healthy and comfortable as possible. However, if you're not careful, your pooch may begin to suffer from arthritis without you even knowing about it.

The reason I tell you this is that you might not be aware of how common arthritis is for dogs and how much this disease can make your pooch suffer needlessly. Did you know that it is as common for dogs to develop arthritis as it is for people? It's not just old dogs that get arthritis either because younger dogs can also have it. Your pet may have been born with a congenital defect of his hip or elbow. Your dog also might get injured because of an accident and this could bring on arthritis as well.

There's a lot you can do to ease the discomfort of your pal's arthritis suffering, but you need to know what to do.

There are some things to be on the lookout for to make sure your dog is not suffering needlessly:

Is your pet showing discomfort when moving around, such as when getting up or laying down?

Does your dog spend more ane more time sleeping instead of playing?

Does your pet appear to be stiff with a lack of mobility in his limbs?

Is your dog too fat?

Is your dog displaying unusual changes in behavior -- such as becoming irritable and snappy when before he was easygoing?

Do you notice symptoms of swelling around his joints?

If you suspect that your dog has arthritis, you need to take him to a veterinarian and have this condition professionally diagnosed.

If your beloved pet is in pain because of arthritis, there are a number of things that you can do to help this aggressive disease progress more slowly. There are also a number of things you can do to help your pet not suffer as much even though he does have arthritis.

Here's a short list of ways you can help your arthritic dog feel better.

1. If your pet sleeps in your bed or travels in the family car, provide a ramp for him or pick your dog up, while being careful to support his seat to prevent back injuries.

2. Elevate your pet's water bowl so it's easier for your pet to drink.

3. You'll probably want to give your dog glucosamine supplements since they have been found to be effective in fighting off the ravages of arthritis. Another helpful supplement is chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin both help protect cartilage tissues. Studies have shown that each of these supplements are safe to use.

4. Be sure to take your pet to a veterinarian for his or her professional advice.

5. Make sure your pet has healthy food to eat instead of the cheapest brand you can find.

If you are a dog owner, you want your pet to live a long and healthy life, so keep your eyes open for symptoms of arthritis that can be so painful for both dogs and people as well.