Best Dog Food For Arthritis And Joint Mobility Issues
As loving fur parents, it brings us joy to walk or run with our dogs. Spending time with them during playtime can make for some good memories.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for dogs with arthritis and other joint mobility issues. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite the health conditions, your dog can still live an active and wonderful life. Furthermore, it is possible to help your pet manage their conditions better.
But this is only possible if you take good care of it and feed the best dog food for arthritis.
Joint Mobility Issues in Dogs
If a dog reaches six years old, it is most likely considered old. This is when you usually see some signs of loss of mobility.
Moreover, getting to know the causes of these issues is one of the first steps to improving the challenges your dog faces.
Signs
The following are the signs of joint mobility issues in dogs:
- Struggling to stand or sit;
- Limping or walking slower;
- Exhibiting stiffness or pain;
- Favoring a limb;
- Showing trouble climbing and jumping;
- Shifting weight onto the back or front legs;
- Slipping when walking around or getting up;
- Hesitating to engage in everyday activities.
Common Causes
Below are some of the common causes of decreased mobility in dogs, especially senior dogs:
Arthritis
This is one of the most common mobility issues in all kinds of dog breeds. It is considered a degenerative joint disease. Not only that, but it also causes discomfort and inflammation.
Lack of joint lubrication is mostly the cause of arthritis. It also slowly wears down your dog’s cartilages. Moreover, it might lead to severe pain and bone friction over time.
Hip Dysplasia
This type of condition can affect your dog’s mobility. It can also cause joint and bone pain. Moreover, this is mostly related to genetics. Hence, it is best to ask breeders or the vet if your dog has hip dysplasia in its history.
Degenerative Myelopathy
This condition is considered a disease in the spinal cord. Senior dogs most likely experience it. Moreover, degenerative myelopathy is caused by spinal cord and nerve degeneration (this affects limb strength and coordination).
Cruciate Ligament
This condition occurs when the cruciate ligament is either entirely ripped or partially torn. The damage caused by this condition will impact your dog’s knees and can also be crippling.
Furthermore, although this condition is not always permanent, the range of mobility and ease are limited, especially during the healing process.
Muscle Atrophy
This condition pertains to your dog’s loss of muscle mass. Most of the time, it is related to the onset of reduced exercise or disease in the dog’s later years. Moreover, it tends to happen in the dog’s hind legs.
Best Dog Foods Safe For Arthritis and Joint Mobility Issues
When it comes to your dog’s health, the food they eat is one of the biggest factors. It’s always a good idea to check out reviews regarding the best dog food for arthritis and joint mobility issues.
The following are some of the best dogs foods especially made for dogs with arthritis and joint mobility issues you should know about:
Hill’s Science Diet
Variant: Chicken Meal, Brown Rice And Barley Recipe For Adults
Top Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Brewer’s Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Brown Rice
This type of dog food brand is one of the most trusted by pet parents (please also read my article about Canidae vs Orijen pet food brands). It contains many fish oil in its ingredients. Moreover, it also has other sources of chondroitin and glucosamine. This helps your furbaby with having strong bones and healthy joints.
Dogswell Happy Hips Canned Dog Food
Variant: Grain-Free Lamb And Sweet Potato Stew Recipe
Tops Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Duck, Fried Egg Product, Chicken Liver
This type of dog food brand contains a delicious cage-free duck ingredient. It is also a great way to help your dog move without making it challenging. Moreover, the ingredients have ample chondroitin and glucosamine, which are great for joint health.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets
Variant: JM Joint Mobility Dry Dog Food
Top Ingredients: Corn Gluten Meal, Brewer’s Rice, Dried Egg Product, Poultry By-Product Meal, and Trout, Salmon Meal
This type of dog food brand is a prescription food. It is most likely offered to senior dogs and adult dogs with arthritis. However, it might also be prescribed to puppies with similar conditions.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet
Variant: W+M Weight Management And Mobility Support. Top Ingredients: Pea Protein, Peas, Deboned Salmon, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken Meal
This type of dog food brand is made of natural and safe ingredients. It is great for dogs with weight issues and a not-so-active lifestyle. Moreover, this variant helps your dog lose some weight. Hence, it will be easier to have strong bones and joints.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet
Variant: Mobility Support Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Top Ingredients: Corn Gluten Meal, Brewer’s Rice, Natural Flavors, Chicken Meal, and Corn, Brown Rice
This type of dog food brand is also a prescription food. However, this dog food is made for large and giant breeds such as St. Bernards and Great Danes. Moreover, the recipe can help your dog with inflammation and joint pain, which hinders mobility.
VICTOR
Variant: Performance Formula Dry Dog Food
Top Ingredients: Blood Meal, Beef Meal, Whole Grain Millet, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat
This type of dog food brand contains more meat protein, making it a great choice for dogs that are currently struggling to stay lean. This includes large breed dogs. However, in some cases, smaller breeds can also take advantage of a protein-rich diet, especially when they have signs and symptoms of arthritis and joint mobility issues. please read here Can Dogs Eat Spoiled Meat? Here’s Why They Shouldn’t
Diamond Naturals
Variant: Lamb Meal And Rice Formula Dry Dog Food For Large Breed Adult
Top Ingredients: Grain Sorghum, Cracked Pearled Barley, Lamb Meal, Oatmeal, Whole Grain Brown Rice
This type of dog food brand helps prevent degenerative diseases and common joint-related problems in dogs. It also contains ingredients that help reduce inflammation. Moreover, the recipe has a proprietary probiotic blend that is responsible for your dog’s happy tummy.
Conclusion
Having a dog with arthritis and mobility issues is quite challenging for a pet parent. However, it is more challenging for the dog who directly experiences this type of health issue. Hence, the best thing you can do as your dog’s loved one is to make them feel better by feeding them the best dog food for arthritis and mobility issues and taking care of them correctly. That way, your dog can still live a happy life despite the mentioned condition.
I hope this article will help you take better care of your lovely dog.
Thank you for reading!
