Arthritis is a disease which afflicts the bones and joints, it’s a condition where the joints get inflamed and cause a great deal of pain as the dogs get older. To help our dogs to deal with the pain and inflammation there are certain foods which are very helpful for arthritis in dogs and some foods which should totally be avoided at all costs because they aggravate the condition of arthritis in dogs.
Foods to be avoided at all cost for dogs
Certain foods may increase inflammation and aggravate arthritis in dogs. Some people have found that eliminating grains from the diet improves their dogs’ symptoms, sometimes to the point that no other treatment is needed. Plants from the nightshade family, including
- potatoes not sweet potatoes,
- Tomatoes,
- peppers all kinds,
- Eggplant
They are all known to aggravate arthritis. It is not easy to avoid these foods unless you feed your dog a homemade diet, where you control all the ingredients. The vast majority of dry foods contain grains, and those that do not, often contain potatoes instead. There are a few brands that use only sweet potatoes or tapioca that would be worth trying for a dog with arthritis, to see if your dog improves. Canned foods usually have fewer carbohydrates than dry foods, so that might be another option to try, especially for smaller dogs where the higher cost of canned food is not such an obstacle.
Helpful vegetables for arthritis in dogs
Certain foods may help with arthritis:
- Celery,
- Ginger,
- Alfalfa,
- Tropical fruits like mango and papaya,
These are all good to add to the diet of a dog with arthritis.
How to give fruits and vegetables to your dog
- Remember that vegetables must be either cooked or pureed in a food processor, juicer, or blender to increase digestion in dogs.
- Fruits are more easily digestible when overripe.
By following just a few simple instructions after consulting your vet about what you can feed your pooches and what foods should be avoided at all costs, we can help them in relieving the pain and inflammation that is caused due to arthritis. Along with the food – a whole big basketful of love will really make their day and yours too!!
