There are many causes of arthritis and it isn't a condition that only older dogs develop. Young dogs especially large breeds can develop the condition dysplasia which can be partly caused by genetics, over exercise on still soft joints or being overweight. It can also be as a result of another injury such as a ruptured ligament that causes weakness in the joint or due to old age and general wear and tear - it happens to us all eventually!

There are many great resources available that can tell you how your dog developed arthritis but this article will give you some practical tips on how to manage the condition once diagnosed and some ideas on how to make sure your dog continues to live a comfortable and active life.

Arthritis can occur in pretty much any bone of the body, the most common being the hind leg knee, hips and spine. You can help minimise the rate of degeneration by adjusting your dogs activity, exercise, diet and sleeping arrangements to avoid pressure on those areas and help boost circulation to the injured site.

• Diet - If your dog is overweight - a change of diet is in order - extra weight puts pressure on damaged joints and makes the problem worse, so cut the treats and junk right back and feed a well balanced food.

• Exercise - Regular exercise is vital to keep weight down, increase blood flow round the body, and to keep muscles toned and strong which help support weak joints. Just because your dog can no longer jump and play like he used to, regular walks on the lead an amble down the beach or a rummage through the undergrowth in the park will do him just as much good as a running to catch a ball did. For those dogs who find it difficult or are reluctant to get in and out of the car on their own this can be because stiffness in the joints can make them feel very unsteady on their feet, just as it does with humans.

A pet ramp can help your dog walk in and out of your car easily. The carpet gives grip helping your dog feel more sure-footed and independent rather than waiting to be lifted in, which can be uncomfortable for dogs with arthritis of the spine. It will also help your back aswell!
Choose places that are soft underfoot to walk rather than walking too much on pathways. Tarmac can be jarring to sore joints so choose the local park, beach or a playing field. If you're lucky enough to live on the coast, swimming in the sea or in dune slacks (fresh water ponds between the dunes) in the warm summer months is a great for improving mobility and free hydrotherapy! If you'd like to try hydrotherapy for your dog the Canine Hydrotherapy Association has a pool finder page on their website.
If your dog pulls whilst walking this can put pressure on joints in the neck, back and shoulders. So if your dog has arthritis in any of these areas instead of using a normal dog collar try using a Stop Pull Harness that spreads his weight over his chest barrel and prevents him taking you for a walk! This will not only do his joints good but yours aswell!!

• Activity - Depending on the severity of your dogs condition chasing balls or running and catching frisbees may no longer be any fun for him but it doesn't mean to say walks have to be boring. A change of game to suit your dogs current ability is all that's required. All dogs love to hunt for things so a Canvas Dumbell or a Kong Toy hidden behind a bush a few yards ahead of him makes a great low impact game for any dog and keeps the grey matter ticking over too.

Active dogs, especially working breeds such as Border Collies and German Shepherds who may have a very active life will benefit greatly from increased mental stimulation when their physical activity levels decrease - a bit like a change of occupation!
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but nothing could be further from the truth! Obedience training is low impact and good for a dog no matter what their age - so take a Clicker Training Kit to the park and sharpen up your dog's mind and reflexes. A great way to train and exercise young dogs with arthritis and for taking older dogs back to their puppy training days!

Replacing one activity with another helps keep an interest in life, keeps your dog happy and as a result helps to maintain the brain's natural 'happy' chemicals flowing which are the body's own pain killers.

• Sleeping - good quality sleep allows the body time to repair itself and most of the bodies natural healing is done while we're snoozing. What;s the first thing we do when we're not well? - go to bed and try to sleep - and that's the reason why and the same is true of our four legged friends.

Tiled floors, drafts from doors, lumpy bedding can all cause discomfort for the dog suffering from arthritis and make getting out of bed a struggle. Now is the time to invest in a good quality dog bed that provides warmth, support for sore joints and comfort.

Many dogs will prefer a mattress or flat bed such as the Danish Design Pet Lounger as they are easy to lie down on and if much shuffling is needed for them to get their legs back underneath them to get up again they can do it far more easily in an open bed rather than a slumber bed or basket. The thick foam base with sherpa fleece mattress retains warmth from your dog and keeps cold out from the floor whilst the open shape means they have plenty of room to sleep stretched out and in a position that is most comfortable to them.

Arthritis in dogs can be managed and controlled very effectively so that your dog can continue to have an active and fulfilling life. With a few lifestyle adjustments for both of you, your time spent together can still be rewarding, fun and beneficial for you and your dog's health.