Comprehensive Joint Care for Aging Pembroke Welsh Corgis
If your senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi is anything like most dogs in their golden years, he becomes highly prone to wellness issues like joint pain and damaged cartilage as he gets older. These could lead to even more serious health problems like accelerated bone health deterioration, osteoarthritis, as well as chronic inflammation and mobility issues if not properly dealt with.
And unlike what a lot of dog parents mistakenly believe, maintaining the overall health of your aging dog's joints is not just about choosing to purchase good quality joint supplements. It can even be counterproductive in some cases or may have an adverse effect on your dog's body if not used appropriately.
Regardless of the ingredients of your senior pet's supplement like chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine and magnesium stearate, chances are you won't be able to maximize their benefits if you don't have an idea how to naturally support his joints.
This is the biggest reason why we've put together this detailed blog post. Besides walking you through useful and practical pointers on how to maintain your senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi's joint structural integrity, we'll also get you a few tips that can help address problems with stiffness, reduce inflammation and natural pain relief.
A Quick Overview of an Aging Pembroke Welsh Corgi's Joint Health
For starters, there's no need to be alarmed because your pooch isn't the first Corgi to experience joint issues. Joint degeneration is a common health concern among all dog breeds, especially very energetic and nimble breeds like the Welsh Corgi.
However, we'd just like to emphasize that along with problems affecting the joints like arthritis, your senior dog's body is also at risk of decreased muscle mass and sudden bouts of inflammation at the same time. As a matter of fact, your aging pet's overall immune system health could also be compromised, lessening his resilience against disease and illness.
Our senior canine family members need all the help that they can get to stay happy and healthy. And it's really helpful to know the signs and symptoms of joint health problems as soon as they develop so they can be taken care of straight away. This is one crucial thing to remember if you're looking to give your golden-aged Welsh Corgi the best quality of life he deserves.
Some Key Factors Why a Senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi's Joints Degenerate
Joint problems like sudden pain, mobility difficulties and arthritis don't just unexpectedly get in the picture in older dogs. According to veterinarians and pet health experts, there are actually factors that you need to take note of to keep the joints of your senior dog in tiptop shape. These are listed below for your guidance:
Genetic susceptibility
Regardless of age, sex and breed, dogs become predisposed to joint pain and similar wellness issues when they get older. However, this vulnerability is more prominent in certain breeds as compared to others. And your aging Corgi is one of the pedigrees deemed to have the highest rates of joint problems.
Besides being at risk of hip dysplasia and several types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, an older Corgi can also be easily affected by sudden bouts of stiffness and mobility difficulties. It is important to consult your veterinarian about these genetic risks as early as possible to protect your pet from even more serious health issues in the long run.
Natural cartilage wear and tear
Just like us humans, our pets also go through wear and tear in their cartilage and joints as they age. The commonly affected areas are the knees, lower back, and hip, as well as the wrists and elbows. Sadly, these cartilage degradations just become worse over time if not properly dealt with.
While these impairments in the cartilage may start small and practically unnoticeable, they can trigger inflammation and pain in the long run if not properly taken care of. Besides making it difficult for your older Corgi to walk and move around, this health concern can also result in joint degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis.
Lack of proper weight management
Obesity is one of the most common factors that can set off joint health issues in senior dogs. And the Welsh Corgi is a breed that is highly at risk of going over their healthy weight if their daily food intake is not closely monitored. Although providing your pet with the right kind of nutrition is essential, too much of the whole thing can already have an effect on their overall joint mobility and health.
Moreover, the extra weight can put added strain on your Corgi's joints and cartilage. This does not just lessen their ability to absorb vibrations from physical movement but also reduces the amount of synovial fluid or the natural lubricant in the joints of animals. Please take note that a Welsh Corgi pup or a juvenile of the breed can also be vulnerable to these health issues if they're above their ideal weight limit.
Not having appropriate or normal daily exercise
Did you know that senior Corgis tend to become more susceptible to joint problems if they're not getting the right amount of exercise every day? Akin to most breeds of dogs (and humans, too), Welsh Corgis require a daily workout to keep their joints healthy.
Regular exercise helps support joint mobility and flexibility, not to mention keep your aging dog's brain stimulated. According to veterinarians and pet health experts, most joint problems—like arthritis, stiffness and similar issues—often develop when dogs go on long periods without exercise. Additionally, appropriate workouts support joint strength and suppleness so they won't be easily vulnerable to injury.
Neglecting proper treatment and care for health issues affecting the joints
It's not uncommon that dogs tend to hide their pain instead of putting it on display. This attribute is typical in all breeds and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is no exception. And notwithstanding where the pain comes from, whether it originates from the hip, knees, lower back, wrists or elbows of your pet, chances are he will try to hide it for as long as he can.
Always remember to treat these joint health issues as soon as possible to avoid aggravating them. Bring your dog to the vet when you notice that he is walking funny or displaying signs of pain like limping, restlessness, sudden changes in movement and posture, as well as licking on a certain limb. There is no such thing as an extra early trip to the vet in these situations.
Common Problems that Can Affect the Healthy Joints of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Now while this may sound surprising, there are some often overlooked problems that can make your dog exposed to joint problems. And there's a chance that you could be inadvertently missing out on these, too. The following are the things that can promote joint issues in senior dogs:
Lack of regular checkups
So when was the last time you brought your senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi to the vet? Although we advocate for the use of natural support products in maintaining the overall health of your pet, we also believe that having regular visits to the vet plays an important role in giving your dog the quality of life he deserves.
Apart from being helpful in pinpointing symptoms of disease, your vet can also provide useful insights with respect to joint health issues and diseases. These can cover anything from how to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief in cases of arthritis or osteoarthritis to getting you in on meaningful information about joint support in senior dogs.
Excessive exercise
As we've highlighted earlier, giving your senior dog a regular workout is crucial in maintaining ideal joint mobility and strength. On the other hand, overdoing the whole thing will already lead to negative consequences not just to joint wellness, but also issues like ligament tears, abrasions on the paw pads and fatigue.
Additionally, engaging your senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi in games and activities that push his body over the limit can result in hyperactivity and high stress levels. It's best to use your intuition for this. If you think a particular activity is too over the top for your older dog, it probably is. Excessive stress can set off anxiety, a weakened immune system as well as aggression in most dogs.
Lack of nutrition
As a Welsh Corgi parent mom or dad, we're pretty sure that providing the right nutrition is a priority in your pet care checklist. However, there are some dog parents that seem to forget that there are rules to follow when it comes to the Corgi diet to promote ideal joint wellness. These include giving the right food portions, keeping their canine wards sufficiently hydrated, and limiting their treatment intake, among others.
It is important to remember that it's irrelevant whether you only purchase top-shelf dog food or pet supplements and vitamins with all the right active ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate or beneficial extracts from green-lipped mussels. So long as you're not nourishing your Welsh Corgi as much as he should, it's highly likely that he will go through joint problems sooner or later.
How to Maintain Overall Joint Mobility and Health in Pembroke Welsh Corgis
Believe it or not, joint support for senior Welsh Corgis is not as complicated as you think. For this part of our discussion, we've put together a quick yet straightforward guide on how to maintain the health and wellness of your aging dog's joints through natural means:
#1. Regularly consult your veterinarian or pet health professional.
Do you remember the maxim "prevention is better than cure?" Most people tend to have the wrong notion that the "right" time to reach out to a pet homeopathy expert or vet is when there is already a joint problem going on. Given that dogs have a way of hiding pain and discomfort, chances are things are already worse when you do get in touch with one.
We recommend a regular visit to the vet every six (6) months just to stay on top of his overall wellness. This also applies if you've got a Welsh Corgi pup or a juvenile dog so they can have a healthy start very early in life, especially when it comes to joint support.
#2. Engage your senior dog in appropriate low-impact workouts.
Having a daily exercise plan for your senior Welsh Corgi is a must to keep him as healthy and happy as can be. However, it has to be appropriate for his age and overall condition to keep unwanted injuries and similar concerns at bay. This also helps prevent aggravating any existing disease or illness like arthritis, especially one that affects the hip area.
We suggest going for low-impact exercise routines like swimming, light walking and playing fetch. Since Welsh Corgis are considered one of the more curious breeds, including puzzle toys and an easy obstacle course in your checklist is also a smart idea to stimulate their brain power while at it.
#3. Have a proper weight management plan for your aging Corgi.
All joints in your senior Welsh Corgi's body act as natural shock absorbers. To pull the whole thing off, they also have to support his entire weight one way or another. Not monitoring your dog's weight closely could disrupt this support function and can result in joint problems in the long run.
Along with a regular low-impact exercise regimen, make sure you set up a healthy meal plan for your aging dog. By the way, you can still give your golden-aged pooch a treat or two, but keep in mind not to make it a daily affair.
#4. Deal with joint problems immediately.
Even a healthy senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi can be at risk of degenerative joint disease at some point in his golden years, which commonly affects the hip, lower back, and limbs. Providing immediate support is crucial since it doesn't just help alleviate any pain or discomfort, but also curbs the possibility of the joint disease or illness from worsening.
Moreover, it is also helpful to consult with your vet or pet healthcare expert as regards the best treatment options and similar information. Keep in mind that maintaining your aging dog's joint wellness is not something that should be left up to chance.
#5. Integrate the right joint supplement into your pet's diet.
There's nothing wrong if you're looking to purchase a joint supplement for your golden-aged Pembroke Welsh Corgi. There are actually a number of choices you can go for loaded with ingredients that help maintain healthy joints for all dog breeds, namely glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids and chondroitin. (And please follow the guidelines for proper storage like keeping them in a dry place!)
Nonetheless, make sure you get in touch with your vet or trusted pet homeopathy professional first before you purchase or give your dog any supplements. Besides helping you understand how a particular joint supplement works as well as the appropriate dosage, they can also provide some insights on how to choose the ideal one for your senior pooch.
Is It Recommended to Use a Joint Supplement?
However, most people overlook the fact that there is a big difference between conventional joint supplements and ones made with premium natural ingredients. Compared to their natural counterparts, conventional joint supplements may inadvertently trigger some adverse side effects.
Zumalka's JOINT & HIP SUPPORT is designed to help maintain ideal joint and muscle wellness while promoting the strength and flexibility of tendons and ligaments. This premium natural product is also formulated to help alleviate hip pain, chronic rheumatic pain in the joints and tendons, stiffness, swelling or tenderness in painful joints, muscle atrophy, as well as joint discomfort when the weather gets damp or cold.
In case you're still having a tough time choosing a natural support product that favors joint wellness and healthy cartilage, JOINT & HIP SUPPORT is one option you should consider including in your home senior Pembroke Welsh Corgi care checklist.
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