Do Dogs Feel Pain?: What You Need To Know

Today I want to talk to you about something important: how to tell if your dog is in pain.

Look closely at this photo. Does this dog seem to be in pain?



Pain can be really hard to detect in pets. Dog can't talk, so it’s not easy to tell if they are in pain. You have to look for the signs, and sometimes they can be very subtle. Look for things like stiffness, particularly in the morning or after a nap. Does your dog have difficulty going up and down stairs? Does your dog  favor a particular limb?

If you do notice signs of pain in your pet, be sure to consult your veterinarian for treatment options right away. Thee sooner you detect and treat the problem, the better the prognosis – and the less your dog will suffer.

As dogs age they can develop arthritis, joint pain, stiffness and loss of mobility. The good news is that your dog does not have to suffer from these painful conditions.

With the proper treatment, your dog can start moving again with less pain and inflammation. You can also prevent pain by keeping your pet's joints healthy with frequent exercise, keeping your dog warm (especially on those cold mornings), and using supplements to support joint health.

As you know from earlier articles, I always prefer to use non-drug alternatives whenever possible to treat pain and inflammation associated with arthritis or pain as a first step. There are a number of natural, simple and effective ways to help your pet feel better before starting a medication regimen. In addition to the treatment your vet prescribes, I recommend the following feel-good secrets:

1. Help your pet lose weight – Joint pain can be aggravated in overweight animals. If your dog is overweight, consult with your vet about putting him on a monitored weight-loss program.
   
2. Plan a little play time every day – Help your dog maintain mobility and flexibility with frequent short sessions of moderate exercise and play. Excessive exercise is not recommended. Swimming is a great way for dogs to exercise without stressing their joints.
   
3. Keep your dog warm – Make sure your dog has a nice warm spot to rest and warm blankets when it's cold. You also can try using booties. A carpet also makes your sore dog more comfortable.

	TODAY'S PET TIP Ways to Help an Arthritic Dog
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The cause can be abnormal bone or joint development, instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons, damage or injury to the joint, an infection, or injury caused by the immune system. While anti-inflammatory medicines are popular treatments for arthritis, another approach involves protecting the cartilage in the joint and "nourishing" the joint. Here are 6 things that you can do that may help your arthritic dog. 1. Slip-free Flooring 2. A Soft Bed 3. Ramps 4. Massage. 5. Weight Control and Dietary Therapy. 6. Exercise.

Good joint health is crucial to your companion animal’s wellbeing. The ability to walk, run and jump represents a large part of your dog’s unique ability to express emotion. Unfortunately, aching and stiff joints are just as much a part of aging for dogs as it is for humans. In fact, there are an estimated 68 million dogs experiencing hip and joint challenges – that’s nearly 60% of the canine population! At present, there are several hip and joint formulas marketed for companion animals. Unfortunately, most of these products treat the joint as an isolated goal; it is for this reason that they do not work as well as they could. Our Agility supplement is a holistic formula, which means that it takes into account the needs of the whole body, including all the parts that work with the joints. This formula helps maintain healthy joint cartilage and connective tissue, and to aid in the production of healthy synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints. 60 Ct. Your Price: $40.35 *Autoship Price: $32.57 What is Autoship? 120 Ct. Your Price: $70.65 *Autoship Price: $57.52 What is Autoship? This supplement features Glucosamine, MSM, sea mussels and hyaluronic acid. Agility Formula is a natural, holistic, multi-action joint support formula containing scientifically-tested ingredients. Glucosamine helps maintain and promote joint and connective tissue health. It has been shown to be essential in the healthy development and ongoing maintenance of connective tissue and synovial fluid. Research studies indicate that Glucosamine supports healthy joint flexibility, mobility and lubrication. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural source of organic sulfur, an element vital to the maintenance of healthy joints, bones, ligaments and tendons. Sea mussels also contain Chondroitin Sulfate, which works in tandem with Glucosamine. And hyaluronic acid helps to keep cartilage strong and flexible to better cushion joints. These nutrients work synergistically with the other ingredients in Agility (vitamins E and C, boswellia serrata, alfalfa leaf extract, chondroitin sulfate, manganese and boron) to supply your companion animal with a comprehensive formula to help maintain the health of the entire musculoskeletal system. And last but not least, this holistic formula has a delicious flavor that your furry friends will love! Join thousands of satisfied customers, and help your dog to live a healthier and happier life with Agility Formula.