Canine arthritis is usually related to how old the dog is, that is the older the dog gets the more likely they will become affected by it. However arthritis may strike a dog of any age, but dogs who are overweight are more susceptible. Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands and Labradors and other breeds that exceed 60 pounds are much more likely to develop the condition than smaller breeds.

It is the breakdown of cartilage around the joints that causes your dog pain during movement. This is the is almost the same pain people feel when they have arthritis.

Most pet owners don’t want to wait for their dog to develop arthritis and take preventative measures. The most common supplements that provide for healthy joints are Chondroitin and Glucosamine. To be most effective Veterinarians say that they should be started before the dog reaches the age of five. These supplements don’t necessarily mean your dog wont get arthritis, but it might put off the onset of the disease or make it less severe when it does strike.

If your dog starts showing symptoms of arthritis you need to take steps to help control their pain quickly. Dogs are good at masking some of the symptoms of pain so when you see it’s painful for them, believe me it’s really for them them.

The first thing that you must do is to identify these symptoms in your dog, and the symptoms may be hard to detect at first. These can include: slow movement, decreased motion, difficulty in getting up, not wanting to run, sleeping more than normal and almost anything else that might be an indicator that your pet is feeling some discomfort. If your pet shows any of these signs you need to go to the Vet to have them looked at.

Once your pet has been examined by your Veterinarian you will know if you need to start some type of medication to relieve the pain and stiffness. Most times your Vet will recommend an NSAID, an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug. These drugs can usually treat arthritis effectively, but the downside is possible side effects and a high cost. There can be side effects and each dog has different levels of tolerance to each individual drug.

The potential side effects of these prescription medications might be different with each individual animal. It may take some time to find just the right treatment for your pet. Many dog owners are concerned about using these drugs and have turned to using safe natural supplements that have no adverse side effects and can be taken with less worry.

Brandy, my eleven year old Labrador was showing symptoms of arthritis. My Vet recommended Metacam and it was effective and allowed my dog back her mobility. The unexpected side effect was the cost. The Metacam dosage that is needed to be effective is based upon the size of the dog and since my dog weighed 75 pounds the cost per month was in excess of $100. This excessive cost prompted me to find an excellent and cost effective natural alternative to Metacam.

Everyone wants to do the right thing for their dog, however you also have to be able to afford the medication. There is a natural supplement that can eliminate your dogs pain as well as being affordable. That type of treatment worked for my dog Brandy and I’m very sure that it should work for your dog as well.