Natural Healing And Pain Relief For Your Arthritic Dog
By Maggie Good

Arthritis is a painful degenerative condition that can make your dog miserable and daily walks and games very painful which is sad for both of you. Because it hurts to move and walk your dog will be less mobile, which can result in muscle wastage and fat gain, the last thing her sore joints want. If the arthritis is in the spine it can contribute to constipation and that in turn can affect appetite.

If you've gone down the path of pharmaceutical treatment for your dog you need to know there are side effects that can be as bad as the arthritis. Ulcers and liver problems are two such nasties that can result from the use of anti-inflammatory medication.

As a caring, responsible pet guardian there's quite a few drug-free ways of treating canine arthritis.

The doggy arthritis sufferer's best friend is Glucosamine. It's available in Sulphate or Hydrochloride form. Controlled studies suggest that the Sulphate form is more effective. Glucosamine Sulphate not only slows down the progression of the disease by stimulating the production of synovial (joint) fluid, it can also reduce the inflammation in the joints as well as help rebuild damaged cartilage. It will reduce your dog's pain and give him better mobility. Glucosamine is sometimes sold in combination with Condroitin, there's some debate as to whether the Condroitin makes any difference. Dose at a rate of 120 mg per 10 lb of body weight once daily.

Increasing the essential omega 3 fatty acids in your dog's diet will not only ease the inflammation, but benefit her overall health with its antioxidant properties.

Flax Seed Meal (linseed meal) provides essential omega 3 fatty acids. Dose your dog at the rate of 1 teaspoon of flax seed meal per cup of food. Flax seed meal and oil are quickly damaged by oxygen, light and heat, so keep them well sealed, dark container in the fridge. I'd recommend you buy the freshest, organic seeds you can and make your own flax seed meal. You might like to consider Fish Oil and Evening Primrose Oil as other sources of drug free antioxidant, anti-inflammatory support.

Methylsulfonymethane (MSM) is another supplement that will reduce inflammation in the joints as well as acting as an antioxidant. The dosage for a dog is 50mg per 10 lbs of body weight daily.

These relatively inexpensive supplements can be found in any good health food store. They can make an enormous difference to the quality of life for your four pawed friend.

Learn ways of giving your dog a long, happy, healthy life. Discover little known secrets in my free report Seven Veterinary Secrets Revealed. http://www.dog-health-solution.com/index.html During my lifetime of caring for pets, I've done a lot of searching for ways to heal my sick animals. I too am a pet owner and I know the heartache, expense and frustration of seeing my pet get sicker as I hand over more and more money to the vet. http://www.dog-health-solution.com/index.html

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