Treating Canine Arthritis with Joint Supplements

As dogs age, they become more susceptible to debilitating ailments, the most common of which is canine arthritis. With the same symptoms as the human equivalent, this joint disease is characterized by a loss of cartilage that causes pain, stiffness, and immobility in the knees, hips, elbows, and other joints. Impacting larger dogs more prevalently, canine arthritis can manifest itself in several different levels, from mild to severe.

Symptoms of Canine Arthritis
To facilitate treatment and pain relief, it's important to monitor your dog and catch the signs of canine arthritis as quickly as possible. Below are some of the indications that your pet may be suffering from this progressively debilitating condition:

Your dog may show a declining interest in walks and other physical activities.
You may notice that your dog becomes fatigued more quickly than usual.
Your dog may appear unwilling to climb stairs or jump up on elevated surfaces.
In the morning, you may notice your dog struggling to get up, and that his movements are stiffer than normal.
During walks, your dog may exhibit a noticeable limp.
It may seem to take your dog a long time to prepare to lie down.
Popular Joint Supplements
Depending on the progression of your dog's condition, you may consider treating his canine arthritis with a joint supplement. These medications work by lubricating the joints to reduce stiffness and pain. Before choosing the supplement that's right for you, take a few minutes to browse our list of some of the most effective and commonly used products:

Cosequin DSicon: Manufactured by Nutramax, this joint pain treatment is made from all-natural materials to improve your dog's quality of life. Recommended by leading veterinarians worldwide, Cosequin is renowned for the purity of its ingredients and its fast-acting pain relief.
ReMATRIX Soft Chews: This effective solution works by providing your dog with the necessary nutrients to build and strengthen cartilage, resulting in more fluid, less painful joints. An ideal choice for dogs diagnosed with severe canine arthritis, its active ingredients include Glucosamine, MSM, Creatine, Chondroitin Sulfate, Vitamins, Antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Collagen, and Flaxseed Oil.
Joint MAX: An innovative treatment for canine arthritis, this relatively new medication is formulated with Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Vitamin C, zinc, and N-acetyl-cysteine for joint health. Available in a chewable, good-tasting tablet, Joint MAX is highly palatable to most dogs. This over-the-counter medication is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cosequin Multi Once-A-Day Supplement for Dogs: This widely used daily supplement is rich in the vitamins and minerals needed to reduce joint pain in arthritic dogs. It also promotes an overall enhanced sense of well-being in your pet.
ProMotion: A good-tasting nutritional antioxidant, ProMotion works to lubricate your dog's aching joints and to reduce stiffness. With glucosamine as its active ingredient, the tablets are tasty and easy to ingest.
Nupro: This all-natural solution works to alleviate arthritic pain by promoting the health and flexibility of joint tissue. Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, the dietary supplement can be added to your dog's food and water for easy ingestion. Active ingredients include flaxseed, calcium citrate, bee pollen, Norwegian kelp, yeast culture, and garlic concentrate.
Original Glyco-Flex: This effective joint treatment is made from glucosamine, extract of perna mussel, and Dimethylglycine (DMG), which promotes healthy circulation and oxygen flow. Dogs find the tablets' smoky flavor appealing.
Duralactin: This anti-inflammatory pet medication and nutritional aid is formulated primarily from MicroLactin, a special milk protein that reduces joint swelling without causing intestinal irritation. The all-natural treatment includes only all-natural, food-grade substances.

Dog Food Allergies

It is estimated that 10% of all allergies in dogs are food related, coming in third behind flea bite allergies and inhalant allergies. And of all the scratching and itching in dogs, food allergies are estimated to cause 20% of the issues out there.

But, how do you know if your dog has a food allergy or what to do about it? It’s not like they can tell you, “hey, this dog food is making me itch.” It quickly becomes your job to pay close attention to their behaviors and make any necessary adjustments.

Identifying Dog Food Allergies

Unfortunately we don’t know much about how the antibodies are developed, what happens in a dog’s digestive tract, or how it develops as they age. We do know, however, what we need to do to fix the problem and help our dogs feel better.

For the most part, dog food allergies can occur at any point in a dog’s life, after 5 months and as late as 12 years of age, and there is no link between any particular breed, sex, or medical history. Generally, however, dogs with food allergies may also have other forms of allergies.

Also, remember that there is a difference between food allergies and intolerances. If a dog is intolerant of a food, it will often cause diarrhea and vomiting, while allergies result in itching and red skin. Both can be treated similarly, though intolerances can be more dangerous.

Common Foods

A dog can become allergic to any number of foods, but the most common foods are going to be meats like beef, chicken, fish, and lamb, and other foods that tend to appear in their food like dairy products, chicken eggs, wheat, corn, and soy.

Generally speaking, dogs will not be allergic to foods they don’t normally come into contact with. Exposure amounts and the proteins that they eat are generally related, similar to how human beings tend to develop allergies to foods they eat as a young child.

Symptoms of Allergies

IMG_0694The standard symptoms of food allergies in dogs start with itchy skin around the face, feet, legs, ears, and the anus. They may also suffer from severe recurring ear infections, loss of hair, hot spots, and infections that recur after antibiotics are completed.

The problem with diagnosing a food allergy is that the symptoms are very similar to a dog having a standard allergic reaction to fleas or inhalants, such as pollen. Yeast infections in the ears is a common sign of food allergies, however, along with severe skin problems and year round symptoms.

Handling a Food Allergy

To deal with a food allergy, you’ll need to use a food trial test. This is a long, careful process that starts with removing all outside sources of food from your dog’s diet. Remove all treats, rawhides, medications with flavours, toothpastes, and other foods from their diet.

Then, put them on a strong protein heavy diet that will be prescribed by your vet. You’ll leave them on this diet for 12 weeks and then reintroduce their normal diet to them. If that food then causes recurrence of the symptoms, you can start determining which foods in their diet are causing it.

Because a dog cannot simply say “I don’t feel well”, this method is vital. Blood testing is also available, but will only pick out certain recognized antibodies and is not as accurate as trial testing.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s health, make sure to see your vet right away to discuss the potential of food allergies.

5 Common Dog Allergies

Learn to spot and diagnose symptoms of your dog's allergic reactions

Like humans, dogs can suffer from irritating and potentially dangerous allergies. Learn about the most common allergy types to help ensure your pet's health and safety.

Humans aren't the only ones who suffer from bothersome or health-impacting allergies. Man's best friend is also susceptible to an array of allergic reactions. There are five common sources of allergies that most predominantly impact dogs:

Contact Allergies: If your dog has ever developed an itchy rash or redness in a localized area, he most likely was experiencing a contact allergy. These can be caused by a variety of triggers, including reactions to flea collars or bedding materials. Although it can be a challenge to determine the source of a contact allergy, treatment is usually as simple as removing the allergen from the dog's environment.
Flea Allergy: If a dog is allergic to fleas, the pest's bite can cause severe itching and irritation. Symptoms include vigorous scratching that may lead to bleeding or loss of hair. The biggest danger is the potential for infection at the site of the scratches. This reaction is most commonly seen in the dog's hindquarters, in front of the tail. The most effective methods of treating flea allergies are preventing contact with fleas, administering vet-prescribed medication to provide relief from the allergic reaction, and monitoring any open sores for infection.
Bacterial Allergy: The presence of some types of Staphylococcus (Staph) bacteria on a dog's skin is normal and usually harmless, unless the dog develops an allergy to the bacteria. In this case, the reaction usually manifests itself with patchy areas of hair loss in small, round areas. See your veterinarian to obtain an antibiotic to treat the lesions. Long-term treatment may involve the administration of a Staph antigen.
Inhalant Allergy: The most widespread dog allergy is of the inhalant variety. There are a variety of airborne substances, such as grass pollen, tree pollen, ragweed, mold, mildew, and dust mites, which can trigger allergic reactions in dogs. Instead of exhibiting the respiratory symptoms that humans experience, a dog's primary symptom is severe itching. Because of the large number of potential irritants, many of which are seasonal, it can be difficult to isolate the cause. Depending on the diagnosis, your veterinarian may recommend anti-inflammatory therapy, shampoo therapy, or hyposensitization.
Food Allergy: Like humans, dogs can develop allergies to different types of foods at any point throughout their lives. A protein allergy is the most common type, manifesting itself as a reaction to beef, chicken, turkey, or pork. Common symptoms include itching, wheezing, and digestive problems. Your vet can help you test your dog for a certain type of food allergy by prescribing a special hypoallergenic diet.

Tips for a Safe Raw Food Diet

Feed your dog the way nature intended

Before starting your dog on a raw-food diet, explore our tips for planning a safe, well-rounded menu of protein-rich meats, vegetables, and dairy products.

Once dismissed by many as a transitory fad, the practice of feeding dogs a raw-food diet is now embraced by millions of pet owners across the world. Widely known as "BARF" (an acronym for "Bones and Raw Food"), the diet caters to canines' carnivorous side with a nutritional regime of raw, protein-rich foods, including chicken, beef, fish, and lamb, among others. Raw bones, eggs, and dairy products are also components of the diet.

Advocates of BARF herald the many benefits enjoyed by dogs who partake of the raw-food diet, including:

A reduction in food-related allergic reactions
A decrease in flatulence and an overall healthier digestive system
A glossier, more lustrous coat
Cleaner teeth and more pleasant breath
Fewer carbohydrates, which can help to reduce weight gain, diabetes, and other problems
A preservation of beneficial nutrients that are often removed during the cooking process
Before implementing a raw-food diet for your dog, observe the following tips to ensure your pet's safety and well-being:

Start out slow. Introduce small amounts of raw food in combination with cooked meat at first, and then gradually increase the ratio of raw to cooked. This gradual introduction will help eliminate potential digestive problems.
For best results, opt for organic meat and vegetables. Remember that pork should never be served raw.
Serve raw meat in small, easily digestible pieces.
To ensure that you're always serving your pet the freshest possible meat, freeze it in small pieces and defrost only as much as you'll need for each meal.
If raw meat is discolored or has a questionable odor, never feed it to your dog.
Eating sessions should be kept to a maximum of 15-20 minutes. Any unconsumed portion of the meal should be disposed of immediately.
To prevent allergies and keep your dog's diet interesting, try feeding him different raw foods each day. Provide samples of various meats and vegetables for a healthy, well-rounded menu.
Supplement your dog's raw-food diet with a daily multi-vitamin that provides the recommended amounts of minerals. Be sure to choose a vitamin tailored to your dog's age, size, and activity level.
With a little foresight and planning, you can dramatically increase your dog's appearance, energy levels, and overall health by sticking to a raw-food diet. It may take a few extra minutes each day, but your pet's well-being is well worth it.

The Basics of Electronic Fencing

Protect your dog with the an outdoor containment system

Keep your dog within his boundaries by installing an electronic fence-but be sure to educate yourself on the basics of this innovative technology

We've all seen the signs posted in neighbors' yards marking the presence of an "invisible fence" to contain the resident dog. But how exactly do these fences work? And what should a pet owner know about them before making the decision to install one?

Electronic fences have been on the market for more than three decades, although they've seen several changes in design and technology since then. An underground wiring system is installed around the perimeter of the lawn, and your pet is outfitted with a transmitter that attaches to his collar. When the unit is activated, the dog will receive a mild electronic shock if he crosses the pre-set boundaries. Most models also include an audible signal that serves as a warning before the shock is administered.

For many pet owners, electronic fences provide a quick, cost-effective solution for pet containment. Building a physical fence can be a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, and some communities require permits and paperwork before construction can begin. An electronic fence can usually be purchased and installed for less than $500. There's a benefit for the dog, too: they enjoy the freedom to roam within their own property without being tethered by a leash.

Below are some things to consider before and during the installation of an electronic fence:

If the pet's collar is removed, or if the transmitter is detached from the collar, the electronic fence won't work.
Keep in mind that passersby won't initially know about the existence of the invisible fence, and may become startled by your free-roaming dog. Do your best to post a sign in a prominent place.
Be sure to engage in the recommended training methods before trusting your dog to remain within the boundary. Different dogs exhibit different reactions and sensitivities to the signal and shock. Carefully read the installation and training instructions that come with your system. Some dealers offer free training with your purchase. It's recommended to keep the initial sessions brief-a few minutes a day for 7-10 days. Small flags are used to mark the boundaries around the yard so the dog knows where he needs to stop.
Keep in mind that although your dog can't cross the boundaries, other animals can enter and leave your yard as they please, so you should take measures to prevent fighting and confrontation.
Electronic fences are generally most suitable for larger breeds of dogs, as the mild shock is less likely to cause injury.