How to Greatly Improve the Life of a Dog with Arthritis
To improve the life of your dog with arthritis, add some extra padding to its bed, like a thick blanket or foam pad, so it's easier on its joints. You can also place a heating pad under one side of your dog's bed in case it gets chilly at night. Since your dog might struggle to move around your home, try to make things easier for it by keeping its food and water bowls close to its bed and lining the floors with area rugs so it doesn't slip on them. You should also consider putting ramps next to your furniture so your dog can still get up to cuddle with you. If your dog seems like it's in pain, talk to your vet about pain medications, which can help improve your dog's quality of life.
Place extra padding in your dog’s bed. Your dog may have a hard time being comfortable in their bed with joints that are stiff and painful because of arthritis. Putting some extra padding in the bed will make life a little better for your dog. For extra padding, add some extra thick blankets on top of or below the bed. You could also purchase foam pads at your local pet store. Memory foam beds are great for dogs with arthritis. The foam will conform to your dog each time they lie down, preventing painful pressure points. Clean your dog’s bed regularly. Dogs with arthritis may not be able to get up quickly enough when they need to go to the bathroom. If you notice your dog is soiling their bed, clean the bedding frequently with hot water. Also, clean your dog's backside with dog-safe waterless shampoo so the fur doesn't stay soiled. A clean and dry bed will make your dog's life better. Keep your dog’s environment warm. Heat can make stiff and achy joints feel a little better. Keep your dog's environment at room temperature, or even a little warmer. Also, make sure your dog's bed is away from drafty doors or windows. In the winter, these drafts can make your dog feel cold and increase their discomfort. Place a heating pad under your dog's bed. Position the heating pad so your dog can move away if they get too warm. Look for dog bed heating pads at your local pet store. You could also ask your vet for heating pad recommendations. Look for heating pads that have an automatic cut off. Create easy access to the food and water bowls. Dogs with arthritis may struggle to get to their water bowls, increasing the risk of dehydration. To prevent dehydration, place your dog's water bowl closer to their bed. Place the food bowl closer to the bed as well. Consider getting a raised platform for the food and water bowl. The platform would keep your dog from having to stoop down to eat and drink. Make your floors less slippery. Life may not be much fun for your dog if they slip and slide on your floors. For the non-carpeted areas of your home, make it easier for your dog to walk around. Here are some items that will give your dog more traction: Area rugs and carpet runners Non-slip strips for your stairs Non-slip booties or socks (available online or at a pet store) Toe grips on your dog's nails (available online or at a pet store) Use ramps. Did your dog like to cuddle with you on the couch or go for car rides? With arthritis, your dog won't be able to jump onto the couch or into the car like they used to. Ramps will help your dog get to where they want to go more easily. Look for ramps at your pet store. Being able to continue cuddling with you on the couch and going for car rides will greatly improve your dog's life. Talk with your vet about pain medications. Arthritis pain can make life hard for your dog. If your dog looks to be in pain (stiff body posture, grouchiness), take them to your vet for medical treatment. The vet will recommend medications to relieve the pain and reduce joint inflammation. Medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed for dogs with arthritis. Steroids also relieve pain and reduce inflammation; however, they can have serious long-term side effects. Do not give your dog any pain-relieving medications without first talking to your vet. Over-the-counter or human pain relievers can do more harm than good in dogs. Discuss the need for supplements. Some supplements, such as glucosamine plus chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids, can relieve inflammation and help promote joint repair. With less inflammation and healthier joints, your dog will be able to move around better and have an improved quality of life. Purchase these supplements through your vet. Administer treatments as prescribed. When your vet prescribes the treatments, make sure you follow the prescription instructions. Following the instructions will ensure your dog's pain is reduced. When your dog is in less pain, their quality of life will improve. Many pain medications and supplements for dogs are administered by mouth. Pill pockets, which are available at your local pet store, can help you give your dog their pills without much fuss. Some pain medications are given by injection. If your vet recommends an injectable medication, they will usually do the injections. If you have any questions about how to administer the treatments, ask your vet. Look for bad side effects. Pain medications can have side effects that can make your dog sick. If you notice your dog isn't tolerating the medication very well, contact your vet. Look for the following signs that your dog's medication is making them sick: Decreased appetite Diarrhea Dark and tarry feces, which indicates intestinal bleeding Spend quality time with your dog. Dogs love companionship. Quality time with your dog will be very important, especially now that arthritis has made physical activity a little more difficult. Some ideas for quality time include: Petting your dog when they are in their bed Reading a book with your dog when they are on the couch with you Gently rolling a ball that your dog can easily retrieve Walk your dog in a doggie wheelchair. Doggie wheelchairs are great for dogs that cannot use their back legs due to severe arthritis or other orthopedic injuries. The wheelchair will prop up your dog's backend, making walking a little easier. Having the confidence to walk will improve your dog's life and help them enjoy their daily walks. Ask your vet for recommendations on doggie wheelchair brands. Your vet can also help you learn how to put your dog's back end in the wheelchair. Massage your dog. What better way to spend time with your dog than to give them a massage ! Gentle massage will not only relax your dog, but also improve blood flow around their stiff and painful joints. Prepare the massage area by placing a few layers of comfortable blankets on the floor and turning on some soft music. Apply light pressure around the joints so your dog doesn't stiffen with pain or discomfort during the massage. Talk quietly to your dog during the massage. Move your hands in slow back-and-forth or circular motions on your dog's body. Perform physical therapy. Physical therapy will help relieve your dog's pain and improve their flexibility, allowing them to have better quality of life. Perform passive range of motion (PROM) exercises at home. For these exercises, you will gently take each joint through its natural of motion while your dog rests comfortably. Depending on the joints that are affected with arthritis, your vet can show you how to perform the PROM exercises. Using direct heat on the affected joints can also help your dog feel better. Wrap hot packs, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy, in a towel and place them on the painful joints. 
Place extra padding in your dog’s bed. Clean your dog’s bed regularly. Keep your dog’s environment warm. Create easy access to the food and water bowls. Make your floors less slippery. Use ramps. Talk with your vet about pain medications. Discuss the need for supplements. Administer treatments as prescribed. Look for bad side effects. Spend quality time with your dog. Walk your dog in a doggie wheelchair. Massage your dog. Perform physical therapy. 