When you own a dog, you will eventually become all too familiar with the types of pain medication available for canines. Pain relief is an important and necessary concern when your dog is injured or ill, but not all dogs react well to veterinary-prescribed medications. Because of these issues, more pet parents are turning to natural pain remedies to help their pup feel better. What are natural pain relief remedies, and which ones are right for your dog?
Natural pain relief through supplements
The use of natural pain relief supplements is a field growing in popularity amongst many pet parents who want an alternative method to alleviate their pup’s discomfort. While there is significant misinformation about natural pain supplements, here are a few that are proven through research to be safe for use in dogs.
Turmeric
Pain is the result of inflammation within the body, and turmeric is a natural way to calm flare-ups. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and wound healing capabilities. This natural supplement can help ease a variety of medical conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Liver disease
- Cancer
Studies have found that turmeric provides better pain relief than ibuprofen. Because turmeric has a low absorption rate, it moves through the body quickly. To keep it in your pup’s system long enough to be effective, create a paste with turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper, and water. Feed the paste in small amounts throughout the day, ¼ teaspoon for small dogs per meal and ½ teaspoon for medium and large breeds.
Boswellia (Frankincense)
A resin from the Boswellia Serrata tree, Boswellia has been used as a natural anti-inflammatory by people for centuries. It improves circulation, increases joint lubrication, and shrinks inflamed tissue. As such, Boswellia is a common supplement chosen as a treatment for dogs with chronic joint pain and osteoarthritis. It may also help manage pain in these canine illnesses:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Canine Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal disease
Although Boswellia is safe for dogs, in some pups, it may cause side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E
Essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, cannot be made in the body itself; they can only be supplied in a dog’s diet. While Omega-6 fatty acids are found in abundance in dog food (poultry, meat, egg yolks, vegetable oils, whole grains), Omega-3 fatty acids are harder to find.
Of the two fatty acids, Omega-3 is the one most likely to benefit a dog in pain. Here are the painful conditions that this fatty acid’s anti-inflammatory qualities relieve:
- Obesity
- Colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Chronic arthritis
- Allergies
The best way for a dog to ingest Omega-3 fatty acids is through fish oil supplements. There are two primary Omega-3 sources: DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid), both found in cold-water fish and their eggs. Fish oil supplements are easily added to your dog’s meal; most are sold in gelcap form. Be sure that the fish oil is pure and fresh, from EPA or salmon sources, in natural form, and garnered from fish that are not endangered.
When giving your dog fish oil, make sure you also supplement with Vitamin E. This particular vitamin is depleted by fish oil, and the canine body needs this vitamin as a defense against oxidative damage and for fat metabolism and essential cell function. Luckily, Vitamin E also provides anti-inflammatory effects.
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Both glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally produced in animal cartilage. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that helps joints and cartilage by providing shock absorption and lubrication. Chondroitin keeps joints and cartilage healthy and hydrated; it also works to prevent enzymes within the joints from breaking down and destroying cartilage.
Both of these supplements can be administered in food, treats, or more directly, capsule form. Often, they are ingredients in vitamin supplements, such as Cosequin, Dasuquin, and Arthogen.
Natural pain relief through physical therapy
One of the best natural pain remedies for your dog, especially if she has arthritis or hip dysplasia, is exercise and physical therapy. Talk with your veterinarian about establishing a low-impact exercise regimen. Keeping your dog on the move also keeps her joints functioning and fluid. Her aches and pains will only worsen if she lies around all the time.
Canine hydrotherapy is another form of physical therapy that is becoming more popular amongst dog parents. Swimming is a non-impact exercise that will strengthen your dog’s joints and muscles without causing pain or strain on the shoulders, hips, and back. Your dog’s circulation will improve as well as her endurance and flexibility.
Physical therapy techniques, such as full body massage, laser treatment, and acupuncture, are also therapies that many pet parents swear by; however, whether these treatments provide any lasting treatments is debatable. Even if the treatment offers short-term pain relief, isn’t your pup worth it?
Why Choose Natural Pain Relief for Dogs?
If your pup has ever had an injury, pain from surgery, or is dealing with joint pain and inflammation due to arthritis, your vet has most likely recommended a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) to relieve the pain. The most commonly prescribed drugs used in veterinary medicine are Rimadyl, Metacam, and Deramaxx.
The problem with these drugs is that they often come with some pretty nasty side effects. Here are just some of the side effects commonly experienced by dogs when put on these NSAIDs:
- GI upset, peptic ulcers
- Liver damage
- Kidney toxicity
- Chronic dry eye
- Joint damage (Over time these drugs can break down joint cartilage, making your dog’s arthritis even worse!)
It’s no wonder many pet parents are looking for natural alternatives for pain relief. The following are some of the best natural pain relief for dogs.
Get your dog’s pain under control
There are a variety of ways to manage your dog’s pain issues. Pet insurance can help. Many insurance policies offer some coverage for medications and alternative therapies and treatments. If your dog doesn’t have pet insurance, get a quote here. Pain medications and therapies are costly, so make sure you have the support you need to get your pup the treatment she needs to be happy, healthy, and pain-free.
References
- Kuptniratsaikul, V., et al. (2014). Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24672232/
- Canidae. (n.d.). 10 Health Benefits of Turmeric for Dogs. Retrieved from https://www.canidae.com/blog/2017/05/10-health-benefits-of-turmeric-for-dogs/
- Robinson. N. (2012). The Bountiful Benefits of Boswellia. Retrieved from https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/the-bountiful-benefits-of-boswellia/
- https://thebark.com/content/omega-3-fatty-acid-essential-health
- The Bark Editors. (2020). Fish Oil for Dogs: Essential Omega-3 For Good Canine Health. Retrieved from https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/natural-dog-arthritis-treatments/
- Aiken, S. (n.d.). Exercise: A Strategy for the Dog with Arthritis. Retrieved from https://www.northsidevet.net/Handout5%20ExerciseArthdoc.pdf
- Huntington, J. (2018). Hydrotherapy in canine physical rehab. Retrieved from https://ivcjournal.com/hydrotherapy-canine-physical-rehab/
- Top Dog Health and Animal Rehabilitation. (2020). The Benefits of Canine Massage: How and Why to Massage Your Dog. Retrieved from https://www.topdoghealth.com/the-benefits-of-canine-massage-how-and-why-to-massage-your-dog/
- Dycus, D. (2020). Laser Therapy in Companion Animals. Retrieved from https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/recovery-rehab-laser-therapy-in-companion-animals-2/
- Feldman, J. (2020). 5 Health Benefits of Acupuncture for Dogs. Retrieved from https://www.petcarerx.com/article/5-health-benefits-of-acupuncture-for-dogs/1570
- Warber, A. (2020). Canine Pain Relief: Medication and Holistic Options. Retrieved from https://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Canine_Pain_Relief
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Veterinary Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/product-safety-information/veterinary-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaids