First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘natural’

Canine Hip dysplasia is the single most common cause of primary arthritis in dogs. Here we will examine the condition of hip dysplasia and the process leading to arthritis.

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint.Normal hip joints come together to make a smooth and snug fit between femur and pelvis.Dogs with hip dysplasia may have two different anatomical problems present.First, the ball and socket do not fit together snugly and second the ball or the socket are not shaped properly and smoothly. 

So why does this lead to arthritis?Hip dyplasia starts a cycle of destruction.The abnormal shape of the bones means that they will rub against each other, wear away the cartilage and produce inflammation.Inflammation causes further degradation of the cartilage.Cartilage regrowth may be too slow to stay ahead of cartilage damage.The rate of loss is faster than the rate of gain.The more damage caused to the protective cartilage the less able the joint is to protect itself therefore leading to even more damage.

How your dog developed  hip dysplasia has two possibilities.  It is  a genetic condition,  meaning a dog may be born with the problem.It is also possible that environmental conditions may contribute.  Injury or overexertion at a young age, while the joints are still developing.You wouldn’t want to take your three monthh old great dane on your daily jogs with you.  That repetitive motion on a young, forming joint is detrimental.

The symptoms of hip dysplasia all point to the reluctance to use the hip joint properly.Have you noticed that your dog is bunnyhopping instead of running or is reluctant to go up stairs or has even stopped jumping up to greet you.The unused muscles in the hip area may shrink or atrophy over time making the hip bones more prominent.

There is no cure for hip dysplasia.  The condition is controlled with weight control, proper exercise and arthritis medicine for dogs.  Medication can come in the form of nutritional supplements such as glucosamine for dogs or anti-inflammatory drugs obtained from your veterinarian.  In severe cases hip replacement surgery may be considered.

If you suspect arthritis you should talk to your vet right away so you can begin treatment as soon as possible.  With the proper management it is possible to slow down the arthritis and control the pain.Don’t forget arthritis can be caused by other factors.  You may notice symptoms of arthritis in your dog but it does not necessarily mean that it was caused by hip dysplasia.Arthritis may also be caused by an injury or even old age.  In any event, your arthritic dog may benefit greatly from supplementation to support the joints.

It makes sense that as a pet owner, there is nothing wrong with focusing on trying to make sure that our dog receives all of the things required to lead a healthy and happy life. The best dog food will certainly vary according to which dog food commercial is on TV, but as long as you are feeding them pet food that contains as many natural ingredients as possible, then you are certainly stepping in the right direction. In this day and age, don’t forget that the best rated dog food is not always going to be the best dog food for your dog.

Different kinds of dogs sometimes handle different dog food brands in strange ways. Something that keeps one dog energetic and healthy may make another to not be able to prevent itself from going to the bathroom for more than five minutes. It stands to reason that when you are shopping around for the best dog food available, always remember that it may turn into a trial and error scenario at the beginning until you finally do find the ideal food for your beloved dog.

How To Shop For The Best

When it comes to looking for the optimum dog food around you may feel that the local grocery store is not the logical place to begin your search. While this is something that is nothing more than opinion, it is one that several people have. The reason is because the local big box stores and warehouse clubs do not seem to have the more costly and higher quality kinds of dog food. Because of this, you may end up traveling right to the pet supply store. If you actually stumble across the best dog food there, you may be a little taken back by the price. But is par for the course since these are typically more expensive shops.

Saving Cash On Premium Dog Food

Everyone realizes that top quality generally doesn’t come cheap. But if you are vigilant in keeping an eye out, you will often find yourself a coupon or two that can knock off a few bucks. Now, it may not seem like a lot of dough compared to the total cost of the best dog food, it is still a lot better than paying full retail.

One fantastic website is Dog Food Help (http://dogfoodhelp.com). This online destination discusses the best natural dog foods on the market, and even has an entire catalog discussing dog food coupons that can save you serious money on your next pet food purchase. In addition, they have many helpful articles on what’s best to feed your dog including a list of 10 top dog food brands, as well as what to do if your dog is too picky about food.

Go to Dog Food Help and help your dog stay healthy!