It is not unusual for older dogs to suffer from arthritic symptoms. As dogs, and people, become older, their joints often weaken and arthritis occurs. However, contrary to want most canine lovers believe, arthritis can also be diagnosed in younger dogs and puppies. Arthritis is often a very painful condition that causes much discomfort no matter what age of animal it affects. Thankfully, there are several things that dog owners can do at home to ease some of the pain caused by canine arthritis.

Control Arthritis by Diet

One option for helping your dog with arthritis is keeping a close watch on the food that it is fed. Overweight dogs often suffer more greatly than leaner dogs due to the added weight on their joints. Stay away from foods that are high in calories. If the dog is obese, choose a food specially designed for overweight animals. Refrain from giving your dog table foods and reduce the amount of treats that are fed to the pet. Once your dog's weight is under control, you will likely see a positive change in its activity level.

Give Your Arthritic Dog Better Sleep

Everyone can benefit from better sleep, even your dog. Lying on hard and cold surfaces often worsens arthritis. In order to ease the pain, consider purchasing an orthopedic bed for your pet. These beds are specifically designed to balance the animal's weight in order to relieve joints from pressure. During the colder months, allowing your dog to sleep indoors or on a heated bed will also offer a lot of relief.

Exercise Your Pet

Healthy joints are a lot less painful. Getting your dog into a regular exercise routine that strengthens muscles and cartilage will lead to healthier joints as well. Playing with your pet or walking on a daily basis will increase the blood flow through the joints. Be cautious about planning activities that are low impact and will not cause stress or additional pain to the animal. Dogs with less severe cases of arthritis can withstand heavier exercise while those with more server cases will need lighter activities.

Give Your Dog Extra TLC

In addition to the tasks listed above, all arthritic dogs will appreciate their owner giving them a little extra attention. Simply raising feed dishes off the floor so the animal is not required to bend down as far can be helpful in reducing joint pain. Consider providing steps to areas where your dog once jumped. Allow your pet to use a ramp when getting on the back of trucks or into vehicles.

Arthritis pain can be very stressful to dogs. Once the condition is diagnosed, pet owners can begin carrying out tasks to help ease the discomfort that their pets feel. In addition to treatments offered by the vet, there are many ways that canine owners can let their pet know that they care. Being conscious about the dog's diet, sleeping arrangements, and exercise routines are all ways to enhance its quality of life with arthritis.