Causes of Dog Arthritis

Dog arthritis is a very common disease. Your dog has a 65% chance of developing dog arthritis as it reaches 7 to 11 years of age. Knowing more about dog arthritis and what causes the problem is the first step towards treatment and prevention of this disease.

The common causes of arthritis in dogs are:

1. Age

Dog arthritis is highly observable in senior dogs. Apparently, it is impossible to stop the natural process of aging. However, there are things that a dog owner can do to possibly prevent the onset of arthritis in their pets. Proper exercise and maintaining your dog's weight is the best way to go about it. Then again, pet owners shouldn’t wrongly assume that older dogs are the only candidates for this disease. Younger dogs can also acquire arthritis.

2. Hip dysplasia and related diseases

Other than old age, dog arthritis can also be caused by certain diseases. One of such diseases is dog hip dysplasia. This disease is characterized by lameness and pain around the joints. The condition is believed to be genetic, although it can be caused by certain environmental factors as well. If your dog suffers from this condition, work closely with the veterinarian to possibly find the right treatment for the disease.

3. Improper nutrition

This is one of the most alarming causes of dog arthritis. If you fail to feed your dog right, chances are high that it will develop arthritis later on its life. An imbalanced diet in minerals or a diet that doesn’t contain the right type and amount of protein is the usual culprit. Make sure that you feed your dog with the right food. If you do, there’s no reason why you should worry about arthritis or any other diseases for that matter.

4. Poor breeding practices

Arthritis can be a genetic problem. Dog breeders should be very choosy as to which dogs they are to use when breeding. Dogs that have history of arthritis are not a good option because their offspring are more likely to inherit the disease.

5. Injuries

Injuries to the bones, joints, or ligaments can play a crucial role in the development of dog arthritis. If the ligaments of the joints get jagged due to certain physical injuries or accidents, chances are high that the dog will develop arthritis soon enough – especially if the disease is not treated accordingly. Therefore, you should never ignore problems like these, or try to just let the condition heal naturally. As much as possible, take your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis. Also, see to it that your dog gets the course of treatment it needs.

6. Obesity

Dogs can be overweight too. If your dog has weight problems, it may develop arthritis early on in its life. Try to keep your dog healthy and active. Let it play around the house or take it out for a regular walk. Dogs need exercise as much as you do.

These are the most common causes of arthritis in dogs.Now that you know them, there’s no reason why your pet should suffer from this disease any more than it has to.

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