June 5, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

When your dog has arthritis, your veterinarian can prescribe pet drugs like Previcox or Metacam to treat the pain and inflammation. But what if you're not interested in a pharmaceutical cure?

Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies for arthritis pain, too. Whether you are looking to reduce inflammation in your pooch's joints or promote the growth of healthy cartilage, there is a natural pet care solution for you and your canine companion.

Reducing inflammation naturally

The yucca plant contains natural steroidal saponins, which are Mother Nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory substances. These agents have been proven to rapidly relieve inflammation in the same way that prescription steroid medications do, but they have none of the side effects that prescriptions can have.

Yucca Intensive is a products that can be mixed into your dog's pet food because it comes in liquid form. It contains a purified yucca extract that can help with digestive, skin and joint issues. It is a good option to try before settling for prescription drugs, since it sometimes eliminates the need for steroid drug use altogether.

Promoting healthy cartilage

The key symptom of arthritis in dogs is the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. When the cartilage cracks or wears away, it allows the bones to rub together, causing pain and inflammation that makes physical activity trying for your pooch.

While drugs can reduce the inflammation and dull the pain, there are natural pet products that can actually improve the condition of the dog's cartilage. Supplements with chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs are often recommended because these ingredients are naturally found in cartilage. Giving the dog a supplement like Super Joint Enhancer or Dasuquin gives its body a boost of these compounds it is having trouble keeping. The glucosamine helps hydrate healthy joints by increasing the production of molecules that bind and hold water in the cartilage, providing the cushioning that joints need.

Soothing the joint pain

Even though prescription drugs are commonly given to reduce joint pain, there are ways to do this naturally, too. Homeopathic ingredients like Arnica Montana, a flower that has been used medicinally for years to reduce lameness, stiffness or difficulty moving for older, arthritic pets, may be good to try. You can find these soothing herbs in products like HomeoPet Joint Stress, a liquid that can also relieve pain from muscle sprains, strains and bruising. 

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