Dog Arthiritis Diet
Dogs and Arthritis: How Diet Makes a Difference
How you feed your arthritic dog can make a tremendous difference when he gets arthritis, the rate at which his arthritis progresses, and how comfortable his life remains.
Dogs with arthritis suffer needlessly if they’re consuming too many calories, or if their food is short on the nutrients they need for maximum joint health. A few simple dietary changes may transform your pet from slow and sore to nearly as energetic and agile as he used to be.
The Best Canine Arthritis Diet
A 14-year study of 48 Labrador retrievers done at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine found that the of 24 dogs fed 25% less of the same food as the dogs in the control group, only 12 developed arthritis by the age of 14. Twenty of the control group dogs did. The dogs getting less food also lived an average of 22 months longer than the control group
The best way you can use diet to control your pet’s chances of living a long and arthritis-free life, it seems, is to keep him thin from puppyhood on. (Reference 1)
Arthritis Diet for Obese Dogs
While none of the dogs in the University of Pennsylvania study were allowed to become obese, the majority of them still developed some degree of arthritis.
If your dog is obese, she is at far greater risk for getting arthritis than those dogs were. Overweight dogs put extra stress on their joints when they are active. Some of them can’t exercise at all.
If she already has arthritis, holistic veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier, DVM, advises a weight loss regimen of reduced calorie intake and controlled exercise. He says, however, that commercial diets labeled “lite” are really formulated for weight maintenance, and may have by-products, fillers, or other ingredients which offer your dog little in the way of nutrition.
Your vet can suggest quality commercial weight loss diets with complete nutrition. Ask about the ones made specifically for arthritic dogs, because they contain Omega-3 fatty acids and other supplements which can relieve your dog’s pain.
Arthritis Diet for Normal Weight Dogs
Once your arthritic dog has reached a normal weight, or if she’s already there, focus your dietary efforts on keeping her thin and eliminating what can contribute to arthritis.
Dr. Susan Wynn, DVM, recommends putting your dog on a homemade diet. If that’s not an option, go for the best commercial diet you can find, with quality protein sources (not by-products) and a minimum of fillers or additives.
If your dog has been taking drugs for his arthritis, ask your vet to test him for leaky gut. Prescription anti-inflammatories can irritate your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.
When that happens, your dog may have food and compounds from his GI tract entering his blood stream while he’s simultaneously failing to absorb nutrients. You could end up with an arthritic, malnourished pet suffering from food allergies.
Prevent this by feeding him hypoallergenic food and switching his prescription pain medicine for natural anti-inflammatories. Omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine and chondroitin are excellent choices. Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM, suggests easing your dog’s discomfort by giving him between 1 tsp. and 3 tbsp. of alfalfa daily, depending on his weight.
