There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your furbaby grow old and experience chronic pain. It starts slowly, as your dog seems slower climbing the stairs. There is less jumping, fewer runs - and more overall fatigue. Your furbaby is hurting, and you feel helpless.

Our dogs are living longer lives than in generations before, but this increases the chances of them being diagnosed with elderly pains and illnesses. Arthritic joint pain, however, generally effects 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years old. This means that more than three quarters of all dogs (with larger breeds experiencing the earliest onset) are living the last several years of their lives in pain.  Joint pain leads to stiffness, soreness, and discomfort. It prevents your dog from getting the best out of every day.

The best action should be taken preventatively, before your dog starts showing signs of pain. A healthy diet, exercise, supplements, and massage/body checks can help you extend your dog’s happy days. This starts in puppyhood. However, an older dog that shows the following signs can still be helped. You can give years back to your furbaby:

• Increased irritability
• Lagging behind on walks
• Slower to get up in the morning
• Stiffness, limping or "slowing down”
• Sleeping more
• Not enjoying games and walks like he used to
• Reluctance to jump into the car or go up or down stairs
• Excessive licking of a sore joint
• Swollen joints
• Muscle loss
• Yelping when touched
• "Bunny-hopping" when running

It is important to make sure that your dog has a bed that is both big enough and supportive enough for his frame. His bed should be well padded and large enough to stretch out on. Make sure to keep your dog at a healthy weight to prevent overloading his joints with any excess pounds, too. Excess weight creates tree on the organs and muscles as well as the joints. You should also avoid jumping whenever possible. This is easier said than done, of course!

As your dog ages, you can add in natural supplements such as bone broth, CBD oil, arnica, milk thistle, curcumin, tumeric, oils like coconut, avocado, and olive, vitamins, glucosamine and chondroitin. According to Vetionx:

“Natural supplements are known to have fewer side effects than their pharmaceutical counterparts and can provide many benefits such as fighting disease, slowing the aging process, and enhancing health. There are canine supplements out there for a number of purposes including:

• Help manage arthritis and hip dysplasia
• Reduce hair loss and improve lackluster coat
• Correct poor digestion or appetite
• Combat allergies
• Reduce gas/flatulence
• Prevent obesity
• Reduce stress
• Help correct dry or itchy skin
• Restore vitality to aging or sick pets
• Assist with healthy liver function
• Increase energy levels
• Increase immune system function
• Improve circulation and flow of oxygen and blood through the body
• Keep your pet healthy and happy