When it comes to hip pain and how to help keep your dog with dysplasia active, there’s no one way to treat your dog. Since hip dysplasia is inherited, a dog’s symptoms will vary depending on their age, severity, and course. A multimodal approach is often the best way to keep your pet active. This could mean physical rehabilitation, monitoring a dog’s weight, daily joint supplements to promote joint health, and even mobility aids to support the joint.
The right hip solution for your dog
Early stages – Minimal impact on animal mobility
Young dogs and those in the early stages of hip dysplasia should focus on supporting joint development and maintaining hip health. At this point, there is very little noticeable impact from their hip dysplasia; the dog can stay active and walk without any discomfort. However, because dysplasia is progressive, simple changes like avoiding strenuous exercise, keeping your pup at a healthy weight, regular visits to the vet, and giving your dog a daily joint supplement are beneficial at this stage.
The best joint supplement for a young, active, or growing dog will help active joints, support joint structure, and help support overall mobility. Look for a joint supplement that combines the following ingredients:
- Green-lipped mussel which provides omega-3 fatty acids to relieve occasional joint stiffness.
- Glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine provide essential cartilage components to help support and maintain joint structure.
- Hyaluronic acid helps lubricate and cushion the joint.
Dog hip and joint supplements are beneficial at all stages of life, from young through adult to a dog’s old age.
Best Early Stage Hip Solution for a Dog: A High Quality Dog Joint Supplement
Mild to Moderate Hip Dysplasia – Dog shows signs of discomfort but is still mobile.
Dogs with mild to moderate hip dysplasia are always active. Although dogs at this stage may favor one hind leg over the other, they may have slight changes in their mobility. For example, your dog may be slower to get off the ground, but the important thing is that he is still able to walk and stand unaided.
A lightweight neoprene hip support wraps around the hip joint to combine a lifted feel in the leg with compression to ease discomfort and make it easier for your dog to stay active. Any dog unable to stand or carry weight on its hind legs is at a more advanced stage and will need a dog wheelchair to support it. Once a dog has a greater loss of mobility, they are past the point where canine hip support helps them. Hip braces are best for dogs that can still walk and support themselves on all four legs.
Best Mid-Range Hip Solution for a Dog: Hip-EEZ Hip Support
Advanced Stages – The dog has trouble walking and standing
When a dog has progressed to a more advanced stage of loss of mobility, they will show visible signs of hip pain and their gait will have changed. Here are the signs that your dog’s hip dysplasia has reached a stage where he needs a wheelchair:
- Hip drop when walking – the dog’s hips may slowly drop to the ground when walking.
- The dog may have an arched back with its rear end pointing downward.
- No longer able to stand or shows significant difficulty getting their hind legs under them to stand.
- The dog has difficulty walking without the help of a parent.
Once a dog exhibits any of these signs, hip support will not benefit them. For dogs that have difficulty walking and standing, a dog wheelchair is the best option. A wheelchair supports the hindquarters to encourage them to walk. An added benefit of a cart for pets with bad hips is that the wheelchair reduces the weight the dog places on their hind leg, but still allows them to use their hind legs and get some exercise. A mobility cart is a great way to keep your dog active and avoid unnecessary muscle loss.
