Top 5 Tips for Maintaining Your Dog’s Joint Health

Joint health is a crucial aspect of your dog's overall well-being. From running and jumping to simply enjoying a leisurely walk or getting around the house, healthy joints enable your dog to lead an active and fulfilling life. However, various joint issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) can affect dogs, leading to pain, behavioural issues and reduced motility and weight gain. In this article, we’ll discuss the top five things you can do to keep your dog's joints in excellent condition and help prevent these common joint problems.

1. Maintain a Balanced Diet for Optimal Joint Health

A well-balanced diet is the cornerstone of your dog's health, including their joints. Feeding your dog a diet that is suitable for their life stage, weight and any health concerns can help keep their joints strong and healthy. Essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin are particularly beneficial for joint health.

Impact of an Unbalanced Diet
An unbalanced diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies or excesses, both of which can negatively impact joint health. For instance, a lack of calcium or an improper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio can weaken bones and joints, making them more susceptible to conditions like dysplasia. This is especially important for growing puppies (even more so giant breeds) On the other hand, too much calcium can lead to skeletal abnormalities in growing puppies, increasing the risk of joint issues later in life.

2. Keep Your Dog at a Healthy Weight

Obesity is one of the leading causes of joint problems in dogs. Extra weight puts additional stress on your dog's joints, increasing the risk of developing conditions like arthritis and exacerbating existing joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Preventing Obesity
To prevent obesity, ensure your dog is fed a diet appropriate for their, age, sex and activity level. Regular exercise is also essential, but it should be balanced and not overly strenuous to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the joints. Remember exercise is only 10% (if not less) of weight loss. Understanding calories on food and how to calculate them can also stop over feeding. Keep treats to a minimum and if training try and utilse lower calorie treats or use your dog’s food. The Canine Code has lots of low fat treat options on the recipe page

3. Provide Impactful, Yet Controlled Exercise

Exercise is vital for keeping your dog’s joints flexible and muscles strong, which supports joint health. However, it’s important to strike a balance, as too much high-impact exercise can damage joints, especially in breeds prone to joint issues. Letting your dog repeatedly chase a ball up and down, encouraging your puppy to jump on and off the sofa are all impactful on joints

Recommended Exercises
Opt for low-impact activities such as swimming or walking on soft surfaces, which are gentle on the joints. Avoid exercises that involve repetitive jumping or abrupt turns, especially in puppies and older dogs. Look at your floors at home and if wooden, tiled or slippery surface consider adding in rugs where possible.

4. Avoid Overfeeding, Especially in Puppies

Feeding your puppy too much can lead to rapid growth, which can strain developing joints and contribute to conditions like hip dysplasia. Puppies need a carefully balanced diet tailored to their breed and size to ensure healthy growth without overwhelming their joints. A lot of mistakes that puppy owners make is feeding a raw food or homecooked diet that is too high in fat and can lead to rapid growth putting pressure on the joints.

Puppy Feeding Tips
Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of food for your puppy's specific needs. Consider feeding them a specially formulated puppy food that supports slow healthy growth and joint development until at least 10-12 months old (older if giant breed) Check out our Puppy Nutrition Guide on The Canine Code

5. Regular Veterinary Check-Ups and Joint Supplements

Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect early signs of joint problems, allowing for timely intervention. Your vet may recommend joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health, especially in breeds prone to joint issues.

Supplements and Early Detection

Joint supplements can be particularly beneficial for older dogs or breeds with a predisposition to joint issues. Early detection of joint problems through regular check-ups can significantly improve the outcome and quality of life for your dog. Joint Supplements are not a cure for joint problems and should not substitute a balanced diet, optimal energy levels and good levels of exercise.

Symptoms of Common Joint Issues in Dogs

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD):

• Sudden pain

• Reluctance to move or walk

• Weakness in the limbs

• Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs

• Loss of bladder or bowel control in severe cases

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia:

• Limping or lameness

• Decreased activity or reluctance to exercise

• Difficulty standing up or lying down

• "Bunny hopping" gait (especially in hip dysplasia)

• Joint stiffness, especially after rest

Arthritis:

• Stiffness or limping, especially after rest

• Swelling or heat around the joints

• Licking or chewing at joints

• Difficulty in rising, jumping, or climbing stairs

• Reduced interest in play or exercise

Conclusion

Taking proactive steps to maintain your dog’s joint health can significantly reduce the risk of developing debilitating conditions like IVDD, hip dysplasia, and arthritis. A balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, controlled exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups are crucial elements in preserving your dog's joint health. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your dog enjoys an active and pain-free life for years to come.

References

1.     AVMA. (2021). Obesity in Pets. American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved from AVMA

2.      Johnston, S.A., & Tobias, K.M. (2018). Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. Elsevier Health Sciences.

3.     Sutton, D., & Coles, M. (2020). Joint Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis and Management. Journal of Small Animal Practice.

4.     PetMD. (2022). Hip Dysplasia in Dogs. Retrieved from PetMD

5.      Brown, D.C., & Michel, K.E. (2017). Obesity and Joint Disease in Dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.

6.     AVMA. (2020). Nutrition and Joint Health in Dogs. American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved from AVMA