6 Herbal Remedies for Arthritis in Dogs
Can I use Natural Remedies For Arthritis in Dogs? Of course!
One of the many health conditions a dog is likely to experience in its lifetime is Arthritis. It is an illness that causes bone and joint pain and can be very uncomfortable. The condition may be mild or severe, depending on the areas involved. And a dog that suffers from this condition would show signs of depression, anxiety, fatigue, immobility or sluggish movement, and weight gain.
Amidst all these signs and symptoms, the first step you'd probably want to make is to visit a vet.
But what happens if you want another option for your dog?
6 Herbal Remedies for Arthritis in Dogs
Below are six effective homemade solutions you should consider:
Note - we recommend consulting your vet before using a herbal remedy for your dog.
#1. Comfrey
Comfrey is a herb used for its pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is helpful in treating dog arthritis when administered in half to one teaspoonful every day. This herb is available in stores in dry form.
#2. Tumeric
Tumeric is another health herb and it can be added to a dog's diet. This herb is rich in antioxidants which helps relieve pain and fight diseases. It is available in powder form and can be administered half to one teaspoonful per day.
#3. Alfafa
A popular herb used to alleviate pain is Alfafa. It is a genetically modified herb that can be added to dogs' food to help treat arthritis and any bodily pain. They are mostly available in capsules and can be administered once per day.
#4. Yucca
One popular herb consumed by humans for pain management is Yucca. It is an effective medication that also works on animals, especially dogs. The herb is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and minerals like Calcium, Potassium, and Phosphorus. It is available in capsules or dried herbs and given as ¼ teaspoon daily dose.
#5. Frankincense
One herbal remedy tested and proven effective for many years is Frankincense. It contains essential oils which contain natural antioxidants for pain management and inflammation. It can also be added to dog's food.
#6. CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil is another medically approved substance useful against dog arthritis because of its pain-alleviating potential. It is a compound found in marijuana and helps treat anxiety, depression, cancer, seizures.
Other recommended natural remedies to manage pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in pets (dogs) are:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment is one of the oldest pain alleviation methods in the books. It mainly involves placing needles at strategic locations of the body to improve blood flow and aid muscle relaxation.
This treatment can be deployed as a natural remedy for arthritis in dogs. However, you might need the help of a vet doctor who is skilled in acupuncture treatment to help out. By regularly placing needles at specific points of your pet's body, pain can be managed efficiently.
Physical Therapy/Exercises
Another natural remedy that might actually work to help with pain management is physical rehabilitation through exercises or therapy. Like humans, dogs also need a little bit of exercise, especially if they suffer from degenerative joint diseases (e.g., arthritis), affecting their life quality.
You can introduce some effective physical exercises to strengthen your pet's muscles, improve mobility at the joint, and reduce pain. You can also do various hands-on therapy such as massaging and stretching to improve the areas affected.
Improving Diet
One more thing you should consider doing is improving your dog's diet. There is so much a healthy diet can do to the body – including alleviating joint pain. If you feed your dog a healthy diet, it should contain lots of meats (protein) a decent balance of fats and carbohydrates. It would help if you also considered adding broth and fresh vegetables. They are all helpful in controlling arthritis pain.
Find out more about Pet Life - the supplement we use to help our dog with her arthritis.