Keeping your dog mobile
Traveling with your dog can be one of life’s greatest pleasures, so it’s vital to keep your pooch in prime condition for all the adventures that lie ahead.
A healthy dog is a happy dog but sometimes, even with the best of care, problems can arise. Just like their owners, many dogs can develop joint problems as they age. Thankfully, it is possible to manage conditions like osteoarthritis to make sure those special trips with your pooch don’t become distant memories.
You remember the song Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus? No one wants their dog to suffer with achy breaky joints.
Help prevent joint pain
Prevention is always better than cure so tackling possible joint problems before they start is the best strategy. If your dog is overweight. it is more likely to be affected by osteoarthritis or similar complaints as excess weight can put stress on joints.
Cutting back on food and treats, and making sure regular exercise is part of your dog’s lifestyle, is the first step to keeping your pet in top travel condition. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for dogs because it puts very little strain on their joints. Games which involve lots of running and jumping can have the opposite effect and while fun, could eventually do more harm than good.
Even though joint problems are usually associated with older dogs, you may wish to consider adding joint protective supplements to your dog’s diet before achy and painful joints set in. Strengthening and protecting the cartilage inside the joints can help maintain your dog’s mobility and enable them to get the most out of life.
Signs of poor joint health
If your dog begins to develop joint problems, you may notice they have slowed down and prefer shorter periods of exercise. Other signs to watch for are limping, difficulty in climbing stairs and taking more time than usual to get up from a sitting or sleeping position.
Glucosamine-chondroitin is one of the best-known supplements for dogs as well as humans. Glucosamine has been found to help build cartilage, the spongy material which works as a shock absorber inside joints, while chondroitin helps fight the enzymes that cause cartilage to break down.
Giving your dog glucosamine supplements can not only help ease pain, it could also help prevent the problem from getting worse.
Top tips for joint care
Utilize these top tips for good joint care while traveling and joint problems need not mean the end of the journey:
If you’re taking long drives and traveling long journeys, take regular stops to allow your dog to stretch her legs.
Provide soft cushioning for your dog to travel on, even if you are just going to your favorite local walking area.
Don’t forget to pack your dog’s glucosamine supplement to take while on holiday.
Ensure your holiday accommodation is dog friendly without too many stairs for your dog to climb.
Make sure your dog is at a comfortable temperature while travelling. Cold temperatures, even from a car’s air conditioning, can cause joints to become achy and painful.
Dogs on the road and swimming
