Signs of Arthritis and Joint Pain in Dogs

The basic difference between canine and human arthritis is that if your pet suffers from canine arthritis, they will not whimper in pain. So if you’re not watching for the subtle signs and changes in your dog, it may be too late to cure him.

Let’s take a look at some of the vital signs that could lead to possible arthritis in dogs:

* Inactivity: Your dog is not as active as before. Spend more hours in bed.
* Licking: You find your dog licking the legs more often than not.
* Slow: Your dog takes time to climb or get up.
* Lazy: Your dog feels lazy to go for a walk regularly.
* Jump: Your dog keeps both hind legs together while jumping. This could be due to dysplasia, which can then lead to arthritis in the dog.
* Weight shift on the front legs: Your dog keeps the back legs close to each other while standing. He does this to shift his body weight to his front legs in an attempt to relieve pain.
* Elbows: Normally, the dog’s elbows are below the body. If the elbows stick out, it could be an early sign of canine arthritis.
* Weight loss: If you feel that your dog has lost weight, despite eating properly, it may be due to muscle atrophy.

Unfortunately, your dog cannot communicate his discomfort to you. Therefore, he must be attentive to his health. Approximately 20% of dogs suffer from arthritis. So, if you see any of the subtle signs mentioned above in your dog, don’t dismiss them as signs of aging or feel like your dog is being lazy. See your vet immediately and get an x-ray.

Maintain a healthy routine for your dog and give him joint supplements before it gets too late.