Paws for thought...

Have you ever considered the importance of your dogs bed and how it can play an important role in muscle & joint health? The comfort & support of a good bed is just as important to dogs as humans. A dog's bed is their haven, their safety place, their rest & recovery place and of course we want to make sure they have the best! When purchasing your bed, it is worth taking time to research the best bed for your dogs needs, such as if you have an arthritic dog, having the right support can make all the difference to the quality of their lives. A little something I do when choosing a new bed for my dog, is place it on the floor and rest my elbow on it for a short while. If i can feel the hard surface underneath then I know this will not be comfortable for her and give her the support she needs night after night. Can you imagine lying a hard floor every night? My back aches at the thought of it, and the detrimental effects this could have long term on my muscles and joints.

If you have an older dog with arthritis, or your dog is coping with other chronic conditions where they may have developed Pains, Tensions and Restrictions, they may not be able to shake as well, leaving their bodies damp & cold for longer. Drying will help retain their body heat, protect their immune system & reduce further discomforts.

Of course, not all dogs need their nails trimmed! Dogs that spend a good deal of time outdoors on various hard surfaces, such as concrete, their nails are gradually worn down, therefore have less of a need for nail-grooming sessions. But with many dogs increasingly confined to indoors when their owners are at work, & spending their days running mostly on soft surfaces such as carpet and a lawn garden, this welcome friction is often absent in their daily lives. Dogs use their nails for traction & balance when walking or running. If their nails are left too long they can lead to injuries & issues that can cause pain & discomfort. This is not only just in their feet, but their whole body due to compensatory adaptations due to offloading from their discomfort. When nails are so long & constantly touch the ground, they exert force back into the nail bed, creating pressure on the toe joint (imagine wearing a shoe that’s too-tight) Also changes to the biomechanics of the digits could lead to arthritis in the toes.

Not all fur babies need a dog coat to help keep them warm and dry on their walks and play-days, but they may play an important role for some dogs. Arthritic dogs can benefit from a warm cosy jacket. This can help reduce the pain sensation in their muscles & joints, also heat regulation may decline with age, making even a thick-coated dog uncomfortable in the cold. Puppies, Small dogs, toy, & miniature short- haired breeds such as French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Pugs, Chihuahuas. These can’t easily generate & retain enough body heat to keep themselves warm. Lean-bodied breeds with short hair, like Whippets and Greyhounds should also be protected from the cold. Breeds that typically have long hair but are clipped or shorn, like Poodles, as grooming may alter the natural protection of their coats. A coat will also help prevent debris getting on their fur which may cause irritation.

When you think of Massage, you may visualise that oh so wonderful day at the spa, lapping up the luxuries of a stress relieving Swedish massage, skin cleansing steam baths and unwinding on a lounger after a few ‘most often small’ lengths of the pool.Therefore, when you hear there’s massage for your furry friend, you may conjure up a similar image! Although, I am sure there are a few pampered pooches out there that would demand nothing less!