How to Care for Your Dog's Joints

It’s an inevitable part of life that our bodies begin to lose mobility as we get older. As with humans, dog joint health deteriorates as they mature, although younger dogs can also be susceptible to inflammation of the joints. In this post, you'll learn how to spot dog joint problems, what causes these issues and how to care for your dog's joints to prevent and alleviate problems. 

Looking after your dog's joints is an important part of their daily healthcare, regardless of age. It can be easy to overlook joint care in young puppies and dogs as they're bouncing around, causing all sorts of mischief, but paying attention to their joints from the start can protect them in later years. Puppies also need their joints looked after so that they develop properly and are strong enough to support their growing muscles. This is especially true for large-breed puppies, as larger dogs are more prone to joint problems.

Although arthritis is common in older dogs and is just part of the ageing process, early awareness of joint care can slow the advancement of this degenerative disease and keep dogs active for longer. Joint care can also help alleviate any pain and inflammation, helping them stay active.

Joint care for dogs is usually about protecting the cartilage. Cartilage is a tissue found at the end of bones in the joint that provides cushioning, stops the moving parts of the joint from rubbing together, and acts as a shock absorber. It is made from chondrocytes (specialist cartilage cells) and proteins to create a sponge-like mass.

Over time, this cartilage naturally wears down, causing joint and mobility issues. Providing your dog with joint care throughout its life can help keep this cartilage healthy and help your dog produce enough to keep its joints cushioned and protected.

Dogs tend to hide if uncomfortable or in pain, so it's essential to watch out for any minor signs that might point to joint problems in dogs, such as:

• Licking or gnawing around joints
• Limping or slow movement after exercise or when getting up
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Muscle wastage due to less weight-bearing of the joint
• Cautious of you touching around the joint

If you notice any of the above signs, get your dog booked in with a vet. It's best to have them checked out, just in case.

Joint problems in dogs can flare up because of a variety of reasons, with some dogs being more susceptible than others. If your dog does get joint issues, often it's nothing you've done wrong, it's just their risk factor was high. Some common things that increase your dog's chance of joint and mobility issues are:

Just like humans, dogs' bodies naturally start to deteriorate with age. Unfortunately, this is all part of the natural ageing process and can lead to arthritis in some dogs. The older a dog gets, the more likely it is to develop joint problems.

Although you can do nothing about this natural process, you can help them stay active by caring for their joints throughout their life or by introducing a senior dog joint supplement, like the YuMOVE® Joint Care Supplement for Senior Dogs. 

Some dog breeds are much more likely to develop joint problems than others, such as arthritis or hip or elbow dysplasia. The most common breeds that are prone to joint issues tend to be large and giant breeds, such as:

• Mastiffs
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Great Danes
• Labradors

But it's not just large breeds that can be prone to joint issues. Smaller, active breeds can still easily damage their joints, causing issues in later years. 

Additional weight can put added pressure on bones and joints. This puts strain on the joints as the cartilage can't cushion the joints as well as it could if your dog was a healthy weight. Obesity can also cause additional health problems, so it's important that you keep your dog at their ideal weight.

If your dog had an accident or injury when they were younger, this could make them more susceptible to joint issues as they age. For instance, ligament damage or a broken bone can make the joint in question more susceptible to arthritic conditions. Too much exercise can also have the same effect on a dog's joints.

If your dog has recently suffered an injury or if you want to be prepared in case they do, you can shop our full range of dog recovery and first aid products here. 

It's never too early to start caring for your dog's joints, and even puppies can benefit from joint care. And starting early gives your dog added protection against joint issues as they age. Whatever your dog's age, here are some ways you can protect their joints:

Your dog's diet makes up the building blocks for their health, so ensuring your dog is getting the best food throughout their life is essential. Here are some of the ways you can alter your dog's diet to put their joints first: 

• Feed them right from the start—This means feeding suitable puppy food, depending on size, to aid their growing bodies, feeding high-quality adult food, and adjusting senior food to offer extra support during their golden years. 
• Size-specific dog foods—If you have a large or giant breed, choosing a food tailored to their size can help support their joints throughout life, as many are formulated with joint-supporting ingredients as standard.
• Maintaining a healthy weight—The more your dog weighs, the more strain it can put on their joints, leading to problems in later life. Always ensure your dog's food is suited to its age and size, and that you follow the feeding instructions to ensure your dog stays in optimal body condition. 

If your dog is pure-bred and predisposed to joint problems, then feeding a breed-specific diet may make a world of difference regarding their joints. These diets are formulated with predisposed conditions in mind and have tailored nutrient levels to meet your dog's breed standard. 

Exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Too little can lead to obesity, which can be a significant factor in causing joint issues, while too much can cause joint damage.

Also, ensure you provide suitable exercise for your dog, depending on their age, size, and breed. For instance, while puppies have lots of energy, they also require plenty of rest for their growth and development, so short and frequent exercise is better. When it comes to your dog's breed, consider what they were bred for initially, and tailor their exercise accordingly. For example, spaniels and labradors were bred for water retrieval, making swimming an excellent exercise choice that puts little strain on their joints. 

Here are some of our top tips for giving your dog the right amount of exercise:

• Adjust your dog's walk depending on their energy levels or age. Older dogs will benefit more from a slow, flat walk, while puppies do better with shorter walks multiple times a day. 
• Mixing up your dog's type of exercise can help them remain fit and healthy while not putting too much strain on their joints. Try to mix up walks with swimming, active play, and brain-stimulating games. 
• Stick to softer surfaces like grass to decrease the impact of walking or running on your dog.
• When playing games like fetch, aim to keep your throw low to the ground to prevent your dog from jumping, especially if they're very young or old. Their joints may not be able to take the impact of landing. 
• Play dates are a great way to exercise your dog while providing socialisation. Play dates also allow your dog to stop and rest when they need a break. 

You can learn more about finding the best exercise for your dog in our guide.

Most high-quality dog food should give your dog everything they need to stay healthy. However, if your dog is more susceptible to joint issues due to previous injuries, activity, weight, age or breed, giving them joint supplements for dogs can help protect their joints. If you have a large breed dog that is not being fed a large breed food, additional joint support through supplements is definitely a good idea. 

Synoquin Large Breed is a nutritional joint supplement specifically formulated to support joint mobility in large-breed dogs weighing over 25kg.

Common supplement ingredients that help with joints include:

• Glucosamine
• Chrondotin
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Anti-oxidants

Joint supplements aren't just for older dogs, either! Joint supplements like YuMOVE Active Dog and Flexadin Advanced Dog Chews can help protect your dog's joints regardless of age, especially if they are active. These supplements are packed with fatty acids to support the metabolism of osteoarthritic joints and keep them running, chasing and jumping to their heart's desire.

One main way to help older dogs with joint problems is simply making the home environment easier for them to get around. This will reduce any extra strain on the joints, preventing and reducing further damage. Like you'd try to make life easier for a senior relative, you can do the same for an older dog.

Simple changes, such as ensuring your dog has soft bedding that's low to the ground and using ramps to get in and out of the car, can help an older dog. You can also lay rugs on hard flooring in areas your dog often walks through.

Although these changes are mainly for making an older dog more comfortable, they can also help to protect a younger dog's joints. For instance, if you regularly take your pup on car journeys, jumping in and out of the car can cause damage in the long run, so a ramp can help protect them from this.

A regular examination from a vet can help diagnose any joint issues early. This will help you to make any changes needed to prevent joint issues from getting worse and help your dog to stay active. Ideally, you should be getting your dog fully checked every year when you take them for their jabs.

Although joint issues are a natural part of the ageing process, you can still help them to lead a healthy, active life even in their later years. Using the steps above, you can help to alleviate inflammation and pain and protect them from further damage. Starting joint care from an early age can also help to keep joint problems at bay for longer, in fact, you can never start joint care too early.

Browse our full range of dog joint supplements here, or get in touch with us for advice on the best support for your dog's joints. 

This article is intended as a guide only. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, get them checked by your vet. Also, speak to your vet before you make any change to their care or lifestyle.