Author: admadmin

If you have noticed that your once active dog does not run to the door every time the front bell rings, is much slower in getting up or takes much longer to walk his usual route then he could be developing arthritis.

Take your furry to the veterinary if you notice any of the above changes in the activity levels. An early detection of arthritis and proper intervention at the right time and right nutrition with right dog food will help in arresting the progress of the disease.

What is Canine Arthritis?

Arthritis is the most common joint disease in both humans and canines. Arthritis is a progressive degenerative disease of the bones and joints leading to impaired movement and pain. Dogs with arthritis experience severe and persistent pain in their effected joints leading to change in their gait, stance and movement of the body.

Dogs with arthritis suffer from one of the two different ailments. The first is the Degenerative Joint Disease (or Osteoarthritis). Osteoarthritis occurs due to gradual loss of cartilages that cushion the bones and joints. As the cartilages start to wear off, the bones start rubbing against each other leading to lot of pain in movement.

The second type of Canine Arthritis is the Inflammatory Joint Disease. This is not due to degeneration of cartilages but due to a bacterial or fungal infection, genetic deficiencies or certain kind of tick-borne infections.

In some dogs, arthritis is a secondary condition that develops due to an existing joint abnormality like an injury or trauma resulting in ligament rupture, spinal compression etc. This injury can hasten the onset of arthritis even in very young dogs.

Is Canine Arthritis Common?

Canine arthritis is very common especially in senior dogs. The slowdown of movement, fatigue, lack of appetite in your senior dogs could all be signs of arthritis setting in.

According to Arthritis Foundation, 20% of all adult dogs have arthritis. For dogs above 7 years of age, there is 65% chance that he has arthritis. More than half of all older dogs have arthritis.

Risk Factors for Canine Osteoarthritis:

There are several risk factors that decide whether your furry will have degenerative Canine Arthritis or not. The age, breed, sex and weight of your dog play an important role in this along with any genetic predisposition that he might have.

Studies have shown that male dogs are more predisposed to osteoarthritis than females. This is because of the difference in the sex hormones, activity levels and body weight between males and females of the same breed.

Some studies have also shown that neutered dogs are more predisposed to degenerative form of arthritis. This could be due to the reduction in the gonadal hormones that act against the onset of arthritis. Higher body weight in neutered dogs is also a reason for more neutered dogs showing signs of arthritis.

Many breeds have a higher predisposition to arthritis than the others. Larger breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Saint Bernard and English Mastiff are more prone to degenerative canine arthritis.

Obese dogs are more likely to develop arthritis. Studies have shown that dogs that eat uncontrolled dog diet demonstrate a higher risk of developing arthritic than those that eat a controlled, balanced dog food diet. This is because uncontrolled dog diet or processed dog food results in excess weight that is one of the main causes for Canine Arthritis.

Although arthritis can develop at any age but aging and senior dogs have a higher risk of developing it. The wear and tear of the joints and ligaments over the years is one of the most common causes of the degenerative form of Canine Arthritic and hips, elbows, stifle (knees in humans) are the most common joints that get affected.

The onset of arthritis can hasten due to the lifestyle of the dog, which includes exercise and dog food diet.

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the disease actually set in, but in most cases clinical diagnosis does not happen until the disease reaches an advanced stage when the obvious changes in the pet are visible. In most cases, senior dogs, above the age of 8 get diagnosed by which time the disease has progressed a lot and they have suffered pain for years.

What are the Signs of Early Stage Canine Arthritis in Dogs?

It is important to keep an eye for any signs of onset of arthritis in your furry. Early detection and intervention of Canine Arthritis is critical for long, healthy and pain-free life of your furry. This will also help slow down the advancement of the disease and help in pain management and dog food diet.

Dogs with early stages of Canine Arthritis will show the following behavioral changes. If you notice any of these changes, then it is time to visit the veterinary for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

1. Your dog is limping: Dogs limp for different reason but if you notice that, your dog limps frequently and has been doing it for more than a week then it could be due to the pain in the joints. The limping will be more prominent in the morning before the joints warm-up and then will gradually reduce as the day progresses. You may also notice that he favors one leg over the other while standing up or sitting down.
2. Your dog does not want to play: If your dog does not want to do his usual rough housing and play his favorite game of fetch the there is certainly something bothering him and it could be the pain in his joints. If your usually playful and seemingly healthy dog wants to just lie around all day then it could be the onset on arthritis.
3. Your dog is getting slower: If you dog is showing signs of slowing or is reluctant to move around as much then it could be the sign of early stages of arthritis. Other changes in behavior like difficulty in getting on the couch, going up and down the stairs, a change in gait, difficulty in getting in the car, not willing to jump or run during their walks are some of the signs that are red flags for the onset or arthritis.
4. Your dog is hunching his back: Canine Arthritis can also affect the bones and joints of the spine leading to pain in the neck and back area. You will notice a hunched back or a strange posture while walking.
5. Your dog gets tired easily: It is normal for dogs with arthritis to spend a lot of time sleeping or lying down. A little bit of running around will tire up your dog and lead to pain. Some young dogs with arthritis show sporadic bursts or excitement and energy and then lie down for hours due to pain and fatigue.
6. Your dog is irritable: Just like humans, dogs also get irritable when in pain. If your dog snaps when you are trying to put a leash, groom him, pet him or play with him, then it is a sign that he is in pain.
7. Your dog’s legs look thinner: When dogs have arthritis, they tend to move less due to pain. This leads to atrophy of the muscles of the legs and you will notice that your dog’s legs are looking thinner.
8. Your dog is losing appetite: One of the most common signs of arthritis in dogs is decreased appetite. Pets in pain often do not feel like eating. The same dog food that he used to relish will lie un-noticed in his bowl.
9. Your dog cannot get comfortable: Dogs with arthritis often shifts around a lot while settling in and do not seem to be able to find a comfortable position. This could be because of arthritis pain.

How can you treat Arthritis in Dogs?

As soon as you suspect arthritis in your dog, take him to a veterinary for a thorough diagnosis. Even though there is no cure for arthritis and it a progressive disease but your vet will recommend some treatment options and medications to manage the pain and arrest the progress of the disease to make your furry feel better.

• Keep your dog on a healthy weight: Excess weight and fat in your dog puts excess weight on the bones and joints. Joints and ligaments have to over stress to support the extra weight that adds to the arthritis pain. A Healthy Weight Management Program with a fresh and balanced dog food diet is the best way to keep the weight in check of arthritis dogs.
• Give medicine and supplements: Joint supplement, calcium supplements and pain relieve are some of the medicines that will help your dog manage the pain and improve bone and joint health. You should avoid self-medication and make sure to talk to your vet before starting any medicine. Often leg braces are also recommended to support the effected joint.
• Give him proper exercise: Regular exercise is important for dogs with arthritis. Low impact exercises like swimming, controlled jogging, underwater treadmill are some of the very effective exercises for arthritic dogs.
• Add turmeric paste to your dog’s diet: Turmeric is one of the best natural anti-inflammatory supplement that reduces arthritis pain. Make it a part of the dog diet and add the right dosage to the dog food every day. FurrMeals Golden Turmeric paste has the right combination of all natural ingredients to make it the best natural supplement for dogs with arthritis.
• Try therapy: Heat therapy, laser therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture are some of the therapies that your vet might recommend for your dog. See which one works best for your dog and get regular sessions to manage the pain.

Even though your dog has arthritis, which brings pain and discomfort but it does not mean that your dog should enjoy doing the things that he loves. Right intervention at the right time, moderate exercise, balanced and wholesome dog food will help manage the disease and he can lead an active, healthy and happy life.

Small changes in his dog food and exercise will go a long way in helping him live a full and active life.

I bet the first time you saw your fur ball chomping on the garden grass as if it’s the best fresh dog food in the world, you were shocked! why dogs eat grass? what is the reason behind it?

Like many dog parents, you must have been alarmed and wondered if you should visit the vet at the earliest! Your fur ball is certainly not a cow so watching him go crazy on grass instead of his pet dog food may worry you.

You wonder:

Is he sick?

Is he bored?

Is he hungry?

Is he crazy?

Will eating grass make him sick?

So here is all you need to know about

Why Dogs Eat Grass?

It might be some relief for you know that you are not alone. Grass eating is a common occurrence amongst many dogs.

Grass eating by dogs is technically called “Pica”. Pica refers to the behavior of dogs when they eat things that are not characterized as dog food diet. Dogs in the wild also exhibit this characteristic.

In the puppy years, they may eat grass out of boredom or just for fun. However, at an adult age it is due to certain health related reason that your pet understands and is trying to correct on its own

Why Is My Dog Eating Grass?

Dogs will eat grass when they suffer from gastrointestinal upset: You might have noticed that sometimes your dog acts frantic to run out and eat the first grass or leaf that comes in sight. They would even cry or whimper to get you to open the door. You feed him the best pet dog food and still grass is what he craves for.

They would gorge on a large amount of grass quickly. This is their attempt to throw up, to cleanse their system and relieve the gastrointestinal discomfort. Your dog knows that the grass is going to make him throw up and that is exactly what he intends to do.

Once they have filled themselves with grass, they will lick their lips because the grass is making them feel nauseous and then vomit. It is completely normal for your dog to vomit occasionally, just as we also do sometimes.

Your dog is feeling bloated or nauseous and wants to remove the discomfort by intentionally throwing up. Grass will help vomit and cleanse the system.

Dog will eat grass if they suffer from intestinal worms: Your dog may be suffering from intestinal worms and his instinct tells him to eat grass to eliminate the parasites. If your dog has been eating the same dog food diet of fresh dog food or the best dry dog food for years and you notice a sudden change in their eating habit, and a liking for grass then check if deworming is overdue.

Dogs will eat grass to fulfill a nutritional requirement: If your dog is not on a nutritionally balanced dog food diet and is suffering from nutritional deficiencies, the grass grazing could be his way of balancing his diet. It will be a good idea to take a closer look at the pet dog food that you are giving your furry and make sure that is a balanced fresh dog food diet.

Grass eating could just be an inherited trait: Some believe that in the wild when animals prey they ingest plant matter present in the intestine of the prey. If his dog food lacks the natural roughage and your pet may simply seek that in grass.

Some dogs eat grass simply out of boredom: A simple distraction with a toy or a game of fetch will keep them away from the grass. In such a case, keeping the mind and body of your furry occupied as much as possible.

Grass Has Some Nutrients That Your Dog’s Body Needs.

If your dog is selective in the grass that he eats and does not vomit thereafter then probably he is seeking some nutritional value through the grass that he eats. Grass contains an abundance of fiber and roughage in addition to phytonutrients. Grass also is a good source of digestive enzymes.

If your dog is selective and picking on only some grasses then he trying to make up for the nutrient deficiency in his current dog food diet. The best way to remove the nutritional deficiency would be to shift to a fresh dog food that is balanced and rich in natural fiber

My Dog Eats Grass Often And Then Vomits. What Should I Do?

As we have mentioned above, occasional grass eating by dogs to cleanse their system is nothing to be worried about. However, if you notice this to be a regular habit then there is certainly an underlying problem and it is time to re-evaluate the dog food that you are feeding.

• A frequent gastrointestinal upset and discomfort is a sign that you are feeding the wrong pet dog food or inadequate food to your dog.
• If your dog has been eating the same dog food for years without any trouble and suddenly starts vomiting grass several times a month then it is certainly a cause of concern. We recommend switching the dog food brand or change the protein source if you are feeding fresh dog food.
• It is best to consult a certified veterinary nutritionist who will help design a completely balanced and wholesome dog food diet. We recommend fresh dog food made with natural ingredients that has all the essential nutritients required by your furry and is excellent for their gut health.
• Do note that if your dog has been eating the same dry kibble diet for most of his life, then the transition to natural and fresh dog food diet should be gradual.
• Try adding some probiotics like curd, buttermilk and kefir to the dog food diet. Probiotics fortify and reseed the good bacteria in the gut and help process the food better.

Should I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass? If Yes, Then How?

If you think that your dog is eating grass because he is bored then it would be a good idea to get him to exercise more. Engage him in more activities that are fun and engaging. A good game of fetch or a good chew toy will keep him occupied.

In case your dog is displaying pica behavior due to nutritional deficiency then it’s time to switch to a better dog food, especially that is high in fiber and balanced with all essential nutrients.

Although most vets and experts would agree that a little bit of grass eating is not harmful but it is important to keep in mind the pesticides and herbicides used in the lawn. These can be toxic and harmful for your dog.

Some of the garden and house plants around our houses are toxic. Keep pets away from them. To make sure that your garden does not have any of the toxic plants; check the List of Toxic and Non-Toxic plants by ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants)

Here is our road map to a healthier dog food diet for a healthy and happy furry:

1. Tips for selecting the best food for your dog. (https://www.furrmeals.com/tips-to-choose-the-best-dog-food-for-your-furry/)
2. Benefits of fresh and natural pet food diet (https://www.furrmeals.com/fresh-pet-food/)
3. 5 best fruits for dogs (https://www.furrmeals.com/5-best-fruits-for-dogs/)

How often do you clean your doggo’s food bowl?Like most pet parents…probably, not enough…

Here is a fact you must know before you start shaking you head to say it’s not really that important because my dog licks the most dirty places so what is a little crusty leftover food sticking to the food bowl when compared to that?

As parents, can we ever imagine serving food in dirty dishes to your children then why do we overlook this and become lazy when it comes to pets?

How often do you clean your doggo’s food bowl?Like most pet parents…probably, not enough…

Here is a fact you must know before you start shaking you head to say it’s not really that important because my dog licks the most dirty places so what is a little crusty leftover food sticking to the food bowl when compared to that?

As parents, can we ever imagine serving food in dirty dishes to your children then why do we overlook this and become lazy when it comes to pets?

Why should you clean the dog’s bowl?

Fact: According to NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), USA – Pet food bowls are the 4^thgermiest thing in a household, not very far behind the dirty kitchen sponge.

According to William Burkholder, DVM, Center for Veterinary Medicine at FDA– Dog’s saliva contains microbes that get transferred to the bowl when they lick it. This microbe will thrive in the dirty bowl.
The kind of bacteria that grows in the bowl will depend on many factors like the temperature, environmental exposure and the oral hygiene of the dog. We are talking really dirty and nasty stuff here!

The most commonly found bacteria in your dog food bowl is Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurellamultocida and many different species of Streptococcus, Corynebacteria, Moraxella, Neisseria, Bacillus and some Salmonella and Pseudomonas. There may even be some parasites like giardia, some molds and yeast.

• Agreed that your dog’s digestive system is equipped to handle some nasty bacteria, given the fact that he spends a good part of the day licking his butt, but the bacteria that grow in your dog’s bowl can lead to stomach infections, especially in puppies, senior dogs and dogs with low immunity.
• We all know that cleaning your dog’s bowl is much cheaper and easier than making a visit to the vet, so why take a chance!
• Not just your dog, but young children playing around the house can touch the dirty bowl and then put the hand in their mouth. Ewww, gross right?
• Not to mention the fact that a dirty food bowl lying in the room looks gross and may even stink. You may not notice the smell but your guests most certainly will.
• Also the leftover food sticking to the bowl can attract some unwanted guests like ants and flies which can again infect other food that is not for your butt licking mutt but for your other family members.

So, do you need more reasons to head to the sink with the dog food bowl?

How often should you wash the dog bowl?

Experts recommend washing the dog food bowl after every meal with warm soapy water and a scrubber. Dry the bowl thoroughly and then stack it face down in a clean place.The water bowl should also be washed thoroughly wilh hot soapy water and wiped down thoroughly every couple of days or as often as you can.

Do not keep a clean bowls lying around face-up in a place that can be easily accessed by dirt, mites or rodents because the next time you pour food in the bowl your doggo may not wait patiently for another round of cleaning.

How do I know that the pet food bowl is clean enough?

Some pet parents can get overboard when cleaning thepet food bowl and put all kinds of chemicals and detergents to make sure that the bowl is clean, but using chemicals on your pet’s bowl is not recommended.
Hot soapy water is enough for your furry’s bowl but make sure you rinse thoroughly. When rinsing, run your fingers around the inside and outside of the bowl. If the bowl feels slimy or you feel crumbs, then scrub it further. You can even pop it into a dishwasher.

What is the best bowl for my pet?

While plastic is the most inexpensive and commonly used food and water bowl by pet parents but plastic is not the best material for your pet.Plastic bowls are impossible to sterilize thoroughly and begins to crack and break. This will lead to leaching of toxic chemicals into the food and water. Bacteria and oil get stuck in the peeling plastic potentially causing skin irritation and gastrointestinal disorders.Aggressive feeders also gnaw on the plastic bowl and swallow small pieces, which is very hazardous.

Stainless steel, porcelain and glass are the most recommended water and food bowl for your fur baby. It is not a bad idea to keep the plastic bowls as a travel accessory but make sure to clean it thoroughly after every use.

Your furry’s health is your responsibility and as a pet parent it is important to make all efforts to ensure that they have the best and longest life possible. Food hygiene is as critical as feeding the right food like FurrMeals Home Cooked Pet Foodto your furry and a clean bowl plays an important role in that.