Dogs and Their Owners Both Can Have Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful disease. For humans, it's a challenge to learn how to manage arthritis pain and adjust to a life with physical limitations. Arthritis is not only a human disease though -- dogs can get arthritis. When you and your dog have arthritis, there's an obvious understanding that exists. As you see your dog slow down, you try to comfort them. The reverse is true too -- you will notice your dog staying closer to you to comfort you as well.

According to a report on abcnews.com, one in 5 adult dogs have arthritis. If your dog lives to be a senior, there is a greater risk of developing arthritis -- just as the risk of developing certain types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis, increases with age in humans.

Dogs do not typically suffer from severe forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, but it can still be a painful condition that affects their behavior. Pain management is just as important for their quality of life, as it is for yours. In the same way it is beneficial to you, exercise, weight control, and massage are great ways to help relieve your dog's discomfort. If you are suffering together from arthritis, you can share in coping with it too.

Related Resources:

• More About Dog Arthritis
• Pain Medications for Dogs
• Veterinary Q & A: Caring for Geriatric Dogs
• Can You Give a Dog or Cat Aspirin?

Share Your Advice and Experiences:

• Join Us in Our Arthritis Forum / Message Board

_{Photo by Bojan Fatur (iStockphoto)}