Having an older, arthritic dog or one with mobility issues can be a daunting prospect but there are some simple things that can be done to help them at home.
Non Slip Matts can be placed on any hard floors to prevent a trip or slip hazard. Some dogs do not like hard, slippery floors as they have reduced grip and fear they will hurt themselves.
Using Ramps to get in and out of the car and house can be used to hep dogs who struggle with steps, and those who have been diagnosed with mobility issues. They are less traumatic on the joints then steps and can help prevent tripping up. If you have a young large breed dog (for example a Labrador), or a dog prone to mobility issues (for example Dachshund), ramp training at a young age is good preparation for the future.
Keeping Their Nails Short will help prevent toe curving. Having long nails will alter the position of the toes, adjusting their posture. This can lead to arthritis and compensatory pain elsewhere.
Keeping Hair Between Pads Short. This helps prevent any slipping as the hair between the toes can make for a slippery foot. By keeping the hair the same length (or slightly shorter) than the pads your dog will be able to grip the floor easier, helping with their confidence and reducing the change of slipping, especially in the winter or when on hard surfaces. I routinely trim dogs foot hair if needed at no extra cost, or you can ask your vets and groomers!
Raising Food Bowls can help reduce shoulder and elbow pain and promote equal weight distribution throughout the body. Dogs hold up to 70% of their body weight in their front end and sometimes more if they have sore hips. By raising their bowls and placing them on a non-slip matt reduces the pressure on their front end and encourages equal use of their legs, in turn helping to maintain good posture and muscle use.
Joint Supplements should be given to any senior dog to help protect their joints. They can also be given to growing puppies to help protect their joints in growth. This is especially good for large breed dogs.
Exercise Little and Often – but most importantly keep it constant! This keeps the joint lubricated and reduces the chance of getting stiff between walks. “Weekend warriors” will suffer more after a restful week and a busy weekend as their body isn’t used to the sudden change in activity. If they get stiff they will not want to move, making the muscles tire and causing a reluctance to move even more.
Keeping Your Dog Warm will help keep the joints in good condition. If tolerated, using a coat on cold, wet days that covers the joints will help their mobility
Correct Diet will make sure your pet is getting all the right nutrients they need at the appropriate life stage. (See my blog about weight management, More on the Importance of Weight Management (dogapy.co.uk))
By changing just a few things in the home can make a big difference to your pets’ wellbeing and happiness. Although pain management is not a one size fits all, and the options can seem quite daunting, there are many things you can do to help. Speak to your vet about appropriate pain relief and other modalities of care that can be used. By using a multi-disciplinary approach your pet will have the best management of their condition, leading to a happy and pain free life. See my blog on Why Pain Killers are Not Enough, Pain Killers are NOT ENOUGH – Why a Multimodal Approach to Pain Management is Essential (dogapy.co.uk), for more information on complimentary therapies.
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