Joint discomfort is a common concern for pet parents, affecting many canine companions at some point in their lives. Large breeds are particularly susceptible, but any pup can experience this issue. [1] The good news? There are ways to identify the signs early and support your dog’s well-being. Let’s take a deeper look.
Spotting the Signs of Joint Discomfort in Your Dog
Being attuned to your dog's behaviour is key to catching joint discomfort early. Here are some common signs to watch out for: [2,3,4]
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Reduced Mobility: Does your dog seem hesitant to climb stairs, jump on furniture, or engage in playtime like they used to? This reluctance to move could indicate joint discomfort or pain.
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Irritability and Grumpiness: As discomfort sets in, your dog's temperament might shift. They may become easily frustrated or growl when touched near sensitive areas.
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Changes in Sleep Patterns: Discomfort can make it difficult for your dog to find a comfortable resting position, leading to interrupted sleep or restlessness.
- Excessive Licking: If your dog focuses on licking a particular joint, it could be an indication of discomfort in that area.
Helping Your Dog Find Comfort and Relief
The best first step on your dog's journey to joint comfort is a visit to your trusted veterinarian. Don't hesitate to ask questions and voice any concerns you have. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above or any other unusual behaviours in your pup, schedule an appointment with your vet right away!
Joint discomfort doesn’t have to mean giving up playtime or slowing down your dog’s zoomies. By being proactive, you can help your dog stay active and comfortable. Here are some ways to easily support your beloved pup:
Preventing Joint Discomfort Before it Starts
The best approach to joint health is early intervention. Starting your dog on a high-quality joint supplement like PupGrade’s Joint Support Chews early in life may help maintain normal joint comfort and flexibility as they age. Plus, PupGrade’s delicious beef-flavoured chews are made with natural ingredients, ensuring they are healthy and wholesome for your pup!
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Keeping Your Pup Active and Happy
Don’t let joint discomfort slow down your furry best friend. Support your pup’s well-being with PupGrade Joint Support Chews!
- Made with natural ingredients
- Free from artificial colours and preservatives
- Vegetarian beef flavour that dogs love
- For all breeds, sizes, and ages
- No Soya protein or animal testing
Why keep your pup waiting? Give them the gift of support with PupGrade today!
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Resources:
- Lawrence, Zachary, Rusty, Rogers, Lavin Emily. January, 2022. Volume 2022, Winter. NSU Florida. Case Study: Degenerative Joint Disease in Canines. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/view
- Veterinary Specialist Center Tucson, 24/7 Emergency Care. How to spot the signs of joint pain in dogs. 2021. https://www.vscot.com/site/blog/2021/10/15/joint-pain-dog
- Boehringer Ingelheim, AAHA. Mobility Matters: A Practical Guide to Recognizing and Managing Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats. 2019. https://aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/mobilitymatters.pdf
- Anderson, K.L., O’Neill, D.G., Brodbelt, D.C. et al. Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care. Sci Rep 8, 5641 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23940-z
- Marshall WG, Hazewinkel HA, Mullen D, De Meyer G, Baert K, Carmichael S. The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis. Vet Res Commun. 2010 Mar;34(3):241-53. doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9348-7. Epub 2010 Mar 17. PMID: 20237844; PMCID: PMC2855019.
- da Silva LA, Thirupathi A, Colares MC, Haupenthal DPDS, Venturini LM, Corrêa MEAB, Silveira GB, Haupenthal A, do Bomfim FRC, de Andrade TAM, Gu Y, Silveira PCL. The effectiveness of treadmill and swimming exercise in an animal model of osteoarthritis. Front Physiol. 2023 Feb 21;14:1101159. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1101159. PMID: 36895628; PMCID: PMC9990173.
- Kampa N, Kaenkangploo D, Jitpean S, Srithunyarat T, Seesupa S, Hoisang S, Yongvanit K, Kamlangchai P, Tuchpramuk P, Lascelles BDX. Study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, marine-based fatty acid compounds (PCSO-524 and EAB-277), and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with hip osteoarthritis: A prospective, block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Vet Sci. 2023 Feb 1;10:1033188. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1033188. Erratum in: Front Vet Sci. 2023 Aug 02;10:1252778. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1252778. PMID: 36816197; PMCID: PMC9929184.
- Hielm-Björkman A, Roine J, Elo K, Lappalainen A, Junnila J, Laitinen-Vapaavuori O. An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA. BMC Vet Res. 2012 Sep 6;8:157. doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-157. PMID: 22950577; PMCID: PMC3514349.
