Q&A for How to Help Dogs with Joint Problems and Stiffness

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How can I relieve my dogs joint pain naturally?

Elisabeth Weiss
Professional Dog Trainer
Elisabeth Weiss is a Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Dog Relations NYC, a dog training service in New York, New York. Elisabeth relies on science-based, force-free, and reward-based techniques. Elisabeth offers behavior training, puppy manners, body awareness and injury prevention, diet, exercise and dog nutrition services. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine and on the Dog Save the People podcast. She also trained all the dogs in the movie "Heart of a Dog" by Laurie Anderson that features Elisabeth's journey with Laurie Anderson's and Lou Reed's dog Lolabelle and how her passion for playing the keyboards played a significant role in improving her quality of life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Elisabeth Weiss

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Try some passive range of motion exercises! While your dog is lying on their side, grab one of their legs and passively move it around in a bicycle type of motion. Then, massage each joint and carefully bend and stretch the joint in both directions—this can be very helpful to your dog.

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Question

How can I help my old dog with weak back legs?

Elisabeth Weiss
Professional Dog Trainer
Elisabeth Weiss is a Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Dog Relations NYC, a dog training service in New York, New York. Elisabeth relies on science-based, force-free, and reward-based techniques. Elisabeth offers behavior training, puppy manners, body awareness and injury prevention, diet, exercise and dog nutrition services. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine and on the Dog Save the People podcast. She also trained all the dogs in the movie "Heart of a Dog" by Laurie Anderson that features Elisabeth's journey with Laurie Anderson's and Lou Reed's dog Lolabelle and how her passion for playing the keyboards played a significant role in improving her quality of life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Elisabeth Weiss

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Teach them to walk sideways or backwards. You can also have them step down and back up, or encourage them to sit and then stand up again. All of these are really great exercises that allow the dog to have fun.

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Question

How can I help my old dog's stiff legs?

Elisabeth Weiss
Professional Dog Trainer
Elisabeth Weiss is a Professional Dog Trainer and owner of Dog Relations NYC, a dog training service in New York, New York. Elisabeth relies on science-based, force-free, and reward-based techniques. Elisabeth offers behavior training, puppy manners, body awareness and injury prevention, diet, exercise and dog nutrition services. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine and on the Dog Save the People podcast. She also trained all the dogs in the movie "Heart of a Dog" by Laurie Anderson that features Elisabeth's journey with Laurie Anderson's and Lou Reed's dog Lolabelle and how her passion for playing the keyboards played a significant role in improving her quality of life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Elisabeth Weiss

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Teach them to do a fun exercise activity, like play bows. Having fun releases endorphins, which can help your dog feel better.

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Question

Why would my vet go straight for NSAIDs for a 13 year old dog, rather than glucosamine?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

NSAIDs and glucosamine do two different things. In a nutshell, NSAIDs provide pain relief, and are best for a dog that is limping because of joint pain. Glucosamine helps to nourish the joints, but it does not give pain relief. Thus for a sore dog, a pain-killer is the best choice, whilst glucosamine and other nutraceuticals are useful 'add ins' but not sufficient therapy on their own.

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Question

Can I give a dog Aspirin?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Unfortunately it's all too easy to overdose them, so giving aspirin is not recommended (unless the dose is carefully calculated by a vet). Side effects include severe gastric ulceration and kidney damage, so it isn't worth taking the risk

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