A vet advises all dog owners to follow his five steps in a bid to prevent arthritis (stock) (Image: Justin Paget via Getty Images)
A vet has issued guidance to all dog owners whose pets have reached five years of age, insisting his step-by-step approach will help safeguard their pets’ wellbeing.
Amir Anwary explained that our four-legged companions frequently develop arthritis during the later stages of their lives. He outlined in a TikTok video: “Prevention is better than the cure.”
Indeed, according to Canine Arthritis Resources and Education (CARE), approximately one in five dogs develop arthritis, which cannot be cured.
The organisation states: “Unfortunately, most dogs aren’t diagnosed with arthritis until they are 8-10 years old, at which point it may actually be harder to control the symptoms of arthritis compared to recognising and treating it early.”
So here are five important rules you should follow if you have a senior pooch…
1. Be mindful about weight management
“The first step is to keep them lean,” Amir began. He clarified that even a marginally overweight dog faces heightened arthritis risk owing to additional joint pressure.
“This increases the rate in which the joints deteriorate so you want to make sure that their weight is correct,” he explained. “Put them on a diet if you have, calculate the food you are feeding them and make sure they are the correct weight.”
2. Schedule in plenty of exercise
Next on Amir’s list is exercise, which he maintains should be undertaken consistently.
“This means regular, controlled walks that are predictable,” he elaborated. “Don’t let your dog be a couch potato for the whole week and then take them for an intense hike on the week. That is absolutely terrible for their joints.”
Amir also stressed the significance of a secure home environment, noting that wet floors and slippery surfaces can prove genuinely harmful to your dog. “These are a common cause of joint stress,” he explained.
To address the issue, the vet recommended laying carpets or rugs over any wet floors to prevent slipping.
“If you have a dog that loves jumping on couches, use a ramp instead because any jump is going to put more stress on their joints,” Amir added.
The vet advocates feeding your dog joint-supporting nutrients. “I use a combination of an Omega-3 supplement and a joint-support supplement,” he said.
Amir combines the two to function as an anti-inflammatory, which may help slow joint degeneration and maintain joint health. “You want to start these before your dog shows any symptoms because this is more of a prevention rather than a cure,” he added.
Amir concluded his list by urging dog owners to “start early” with preventative measures, particularly regarding breeds that are more vulnerable to arthritis.
“Most owners will start treating their dogs when they are already showing symptoms – but at this point the joint degeneration has already been going on for maybe even up to a year,” he noted.
Consequently, if your dog is deemed at risk – particularly if they are large and energetic – it is highly advisable to begin joint-support treatment at the earliest opportunity, especially as they grow older.