Joint ailments in pets occur in the same way as in humans; The pathologies that occur in this field usually generate a severe decrease in the mobility of the animal, intense pain and a notable decrease in its quality of life.

That is why we must be aware of any symptoms that indicate joint problems in the animal; In this article, we will know some tips to improve our pet’s joints.

The joint in the pet

When we talk about the joints in pets we are referring to the joints between two or more bones that make up the skeleton of animals. These joints are generally mobile and allow movement of the limbs through the sliding of the pet’s bones.

The articular cartilages, on the other hand, are elastic structures that have the function of preventing bones from wearing out when rubbing. This structure is very resistant and helps protect the bones from any impact.

The wear of articular cartilage disrupts normal movement and causes pain in the animal; Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the pet’s joints by decreasing their premature degeneration.

Factors that influence joint performance

There are several factors that can condition the normal performance of the animal’s joints, in some of which we can intervene for greater care.

The correct feeding is closely related to the physical health of our pet, so any alteration in its diet and its nutritional content can affect the joints of the animal.

That is why a healthy and balanced diet is recommended, which adequately covers all your nutritional needs. This also includes supplements specially developed to strengthen cartilage, such as fatty acids and hyaluronic acid.

It is necessary to consult with the veterinarian about the exact dose of these supplements, in order to avoid any side effects on the pet.

On the other hand, many animals tend to develop problems of excess weight throughout their lives, which can lead to serious problems in their joints.

The overweight wears the protective cartilage of the bones, exposing it to impacts and impacts. That is why it is recommended to maintain a strict control of the weight of the animal, through the intake of healthy and nutritious foods and in regular amounts according to their breed and condition.

The benefits of physical exercise in the animal

In addition to healthy eating and overweight care, physical exercise is very important as it maintains the animal’s joint health in optimal conditions.

Frequent physical activity improves the pet’s muscular strength, as well as its balance and coordination, which favors the animal’s joints. With physical exercise, the pet enhances the performance of its joint mobility.

By increasing physical resistance, constant and moderate physical exercise allows better control of the animal’s weight, helping to prevent fractures and injuries of different types.

It is important that the exercise be performed on a regular basis and without demanding too much from the pet since it can be counterproductive for the animal’s joints.

How to improve pet’s joints

Regular physical exercise is the best activity that the pet can do to keep his joint health in good condition. Keep in mind the following tips to safeguard your joints:

Taking the animal for a walk is a good daily practice for the care of its joints. Veterinarians recommend at least two walks a day, in the morning and at night, with an average duration of 20 minutes per departure.

As much as possible, it is recommended that the animal can move freely when walking, therefore, it must be left free of leashes in a safe area.

In order to improve the muscles, bones and joints of the dog, it is convenient to overcome some obstacles along a circuit. Also, we can teach them to sit down to strengthen their joint mobility and the upper third.

Other dynamics, such as pawling or zigzag movements, are also very useful for improving the mobility of your spine and the muscles of the animal’s back. These exercises are very beneficial for your joints.

Veterinarians recommend walking them on some soft surfaces, such as foam beds, as it helps improve their muscle strength.

Important considerations when performing the exercises

We must determine the amount of exercises or the duration of the tasks according to the age, size and breed of the animal; In general, it is convenient to start with short sessions of less than 15 minutes, to gradually increase them as the weeks go by.

It is necessary to prevent the animal from getting too tired when performing the exercises; We must ensure that the activities are practiced as a game to avoid any significant joint or muscle injury.

Also, the owner must take care of any discomfort that may occur in the pet during the development of activities; If this situation arises, the exercise should be suspended as soon as possible and taken to a veterinary consultation to identify the problem.

In addition to improving the health of the joints in the pet, performing regular exercises directly influences the emotional state of the animal, as well as the relationship between pet and owner.

A combination of these activities sequentially will significantly improve the animal’s joint health. If you consider that the pet may be suffering from a problem in its joints, do not hesitate to bring it to the clinic as soon as possible, in order to rule out any pathology that puts your health at risk.