Dog arthritis is one of the most common reason pet owners see a veterinarian. Unfortunately the only option many owners are given is to treat their dog with potentially toxic anti-inflammatory medication. This article will give you my top 5 natural dog arthritis solutions that you can use on your dog at home.

Supplements which contain Glucosamine Hydrochloride and Chondroitin are most important; they both have veterinary studies showing their effectiveness. The big point here is to ensure that they are in high enough doses, and the correct form to be helpful for your dog. As a guideline you can use a dose of 500mg of Glucosamine per 50lbs of body weight daily, and 250mg of Chondroitin per 50lbs of body weight daily.

Omega 3 fatty acids are critical for every arthritic pet; they decrease the inflammatory processes that further damage the cartilage in the joints. There are a few potential sources: flax oil, fish oil, or even evening primrose oil. I personally have found flax oil to be very effective, especially when given at the dose of 1 tablespoon per 50lbs of body weight daily.  Flax oil’s other big benefit is it is cost effective – it costs a fraction of fish oil.

Acupressure is an ancient form of Chinese healing that every pet owner can start using for their arthritic pet. The easiest way to start is to locate a point called ‘The Aspirin Joint’. It is found on the outside webbing of your dog’s hock joint- this is the joint just up from their back feet.  Place your index finger on the outside of this web of skin and with moderate pressure, hold for 60 seconds. I suggest performing this 3 times a day for 7 days, and assessing if it is helping your dog.

There are a surprising number of herbs that can be helpful to relieve the pain in arthritis, but with all the conflicting information, it is often difficult to know what to choose. Willow contains the active ingredient found in aspirin, (salicylate) and was a traditional First Nation’s remedy for arthritis. The Willow dose I have used is 100 mg or 10 drops per 10 lbs of body weight. Salicylates are toxic to cats, so never give Willow to your cat.

Many dog owners have reported relief of arthritic pain by the use of homeopathy, and I have seen certain dogs respond well, so it may help your arthritic dog. There are 2 in particular that you should consider using, Traumeel, and Rhus Tox. Traumeel actually contains a combination of a number of homeopathic remedies, providing both anti-inflammatory and pain relief; the Traumeel dose being ½ to 1 tab twice daily. Rhus Tox is typically advised for soft tissue and muscle injuries, but often this is the source of discomfort in arthritic dogs. The dose you can use is 30C per 30lbs every 12 hours.

So there are my top 5 holistic and effective dog arthritis solutions. If you have an arthritic dog, I encourage you to try a few of these natural remedies to give your dog pain relief naturally. Your dog will definitely thank you!

P.S. My supplement, Dr Jones Ultimate Canine Health Formula, contains over 8 specific ingredients that can be helpful to relieve the pain and inflammation in dog arthritis. It's a great natural way to help your dog, and it has helped thousands of dogs. You can get a 50% OFF by going here: Ultimate Canine Health Formula