As your French bulldog gets older, the chances of developing dog arthritis increase. All dogs are born with a certain number of cartilage discs within their joints and if your Frenchie has already reached middle age, he has started to show signs of wear and tear on those discs. As our dogs get older we want them to live as active and happy a life as they did before they got arthritis. If you're worried about pain levels and how much your dog Frenchie moves around, there are ways you can help them deal with their condition and cope better with their pain.
6 Ways to help French Bulldogs with arthritis
The most common way to cope with arthritis in French bulldogs is by giving your dog pain relievers and steroids. However, there are some natural ways by which you can give relief to your Frenchie.
Maintain proper weight
Maintaining your Frenchies weight can protect them from arthritis. In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, researchers found that obesity can lead to joint problems, which are often associated with arthritis. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also found that obesity is related to osteoarthritis in dogs.
If you want to keep your pup healthy and happy, consider making sure they're at a healthy weight by feeding them high-quality food, giving them plenty of exercise and water, and keeping an eye on their health over time.
Regular exercise
If your dog is suffering from arthritis, a little bit of exercise can go a long way. Exercise can help dogs with arthritis in several ways. First, it helps keep your dog's joints limber and mobile by increasing blood flow through them, which also helps reduce inflammation. Second, it gives your dog the chance to release endorphins—those feel-good chemicals that make us feel good when we exercise—which can help ease pain and improve mood. Third, it gets your dog moving around and doing things they love (like playing fetch or running around the yard), which will make them feel better overall.
So how much exercise should you give your dog? It depends on how bad their arthritis is and how much pain they're in. The best thing you can do is talk to your vet about what kind of activity would be best for your pet's specific needs.
Canine acupuncture
Canine acupuncture can help your French bulldog suffering from arthritis. Joint pain and stiffness are common symptoms of arthritis, but they don't have to be permanent. Acupuncture can help relieve pain and increase mobility by balancing the flow of energy through your dog's body.
Acupuncture is a natural way to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing in your dog's joints. A licensed acupuncturist will insert tiny needles into specific points on your dog's body, which helps to adjust the flow of energy in the body and stimulate blood flow to the affected areas. This helps reduce swelling and pain in the joints, as well as improve mobility and range of motion in your French bulldog's limbs.
Also, read 6 tips for camping with a French bulldog
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a great way to help your French bulldog suffering from arthritis. It's not a cure, but it can be used in conjunction with other treatments and medications to help your pup feel better and move more comfortably.
Here's how hydrotherapy works: it involves using water to simulate the weight of your dog's body, which can provide relief for joints that are stiff or painful. The water also provides resistance, which helps build muscle strength and improve the range of motion.
- You'll want to make sure that you consult with your vet first, but if they agree that hydrotherapy could help your pup, here are some things you should know:
- The temperature of the water will depend on the type of arthritis your French bulldog has and how severe it is—you can talk with your vet about what temp works best for them;
- You'll want to avoid getting any water into their ears or eyes;
- You should only use gentle pressure when lowering them into the pool—they may need assistance getting in or out initially;
- If they start struggling in any way while in the pool (swimming around too much or trying desperately to get out), stop immediately!
Prevent slipping
If your French bulldog is suffering from arthritis or other conditions that make them more prone to slipping and falling, you can help them stay safe on the floor with anti-slip floor rugs. These rugs are designed with a non-slip surface so that dogs can walk around confidently and with ease.
A shadow rug will give your French bulldog the perfect place to walk and stay. It is made of quality epoxies that provide a non-slip place.
If your Frenchie is suffering from arthritis this rug can really help.
Soft dog bed
Soft dog beds offer your Frenchie a supportive layer between their joints and the ground, which reduces pressure on their joints and helps them feel more comfortable as they move around. They'll also help encourage your dog to rest and relax, which can help speed up the recovery time from an injury or surgery.
Another benefit of using a soft dog bed is that it provides comfort for older dogs who have trouble getting up from lying down positions because they have joint issues or are having trouble maintaining balance while standing up straight.
If you are looking for a soft bed for your Frenchie this Bella bed will give your dog the perfect place to rest.
It is made of high-quality polyester that not only keeps your pup warm but also provides relief from arthritis.
Conclusion
We are here to help you make your French bulldog's life more enjoyable and as comfortable as possible. Hopefully, this article has helped you identify some of the problem areas, but every dog is different. Please continue to pay close attention to your dog's needs and if there are other things that we have not mentioned in this article that you think might be helpful, please let us know! Your dog will be grateful for your help, and so will his joints.