Large and giant breed dogs need specific care in certain areas that can be overlooked. One of these areas, which I believe is one of the most important aspects, is joint health. Large and giant breed dogs require specific interventions as preventative measures to avoid joint disease as they age.
What Common Joint Issues Do Large and Giant Breed Dogs Face?
Let’s face it, most dogs are fairly active. Whether they are jumping off the back porch or running after tennis balls, dogs’ joints are put through daily strain. And sometimes, that added stress can cause problems. The more dogs are using their joints on a daily basis, the greater the likelihood of injuries and joint-related disorders like ACL tears and osteoarthritis. Large and giant dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, Wolfhounds, Dobermans, Mastiffs, Rottweilers and Newfoundlands are very prone to orthopedic issues.
Some of these joint issues begin in puppyhood and are milder forms of joint pain known as ‘growing pains’ called Panosteitis or Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD). Most joint diseases can be categorized into either developmental or degenerative joint disease. Various joint problems, such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, can occur due to developmental problems. There are several types of degenerative diseases. In dogs, cruciate ligament problems are the most common cause of osteoarthritis because the ligament degenerates over time, causing bone instability.
Luckily, there are things that can be done at home to fight against these diseases. Let’s begin discussing what pet parents can do to work against joint pain and disease in their own dogs.
Does Weight Impact Dog’s Joints?
A clinical study was conducted at Morris Animal Foundation which viewed the longevity of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, following these dogs from birth to death. The researchers found that arthritis impacted overweight, large breed dogs more than others.
Weight puts a lot of pressure on those joints, so they’re worn down more quickly. Arthritis is one of the most common problems with overweight dogs. Having arthritis makes a dog not want to exercise, so it becomes a vicious cycle. As a result, the dog will want to sleep more and just lay around and eat. The dog can gain 3-4 pounds a year from this lifestyle, which might not seem excessive, however can add a substantial amount of unnecessary pressure to the joints.
Your pet’s bones and joints will remain healthy if they receive the appropriate nutrition and food amounts. Your dog’s diet will have a direct effect on:
- Their overall energy and mood
- Skin and coat health
- Temperament
- Gastrointestinal health
- Weight
- Joints
Finding the right diet for your dog can be a challenge with so much information out there and many pet foods on the market. Your veterinarian can offer suggestions for your dog’s diet. After you have found a food that works for your dog and their needs, make sure to find the right portions depending on if your dog is at their ideal weight or needs to lose weight. Keep tabs on any changes in their coat, whether their skin is looking flaky/dry or shiny, if they are itching or if they are losing/gaining weight.
Does Your Home Impact Dog’s Joints?
The majority of dogs in the United States are pets, living at home with their owners. As a matter of fact, most dogs spend up to 90 percent of their lives at home. As humans, we often don’t realize that normal, everyday things can be obstacles for our dogs. Routines such as struggling up and down the stairs, slipping on tile or hardwood flooring and lying on hard/solid surfaces can cause painful and stiff joints.
A cumulating of simple events such as your dog jumping in and out of the car, or slipping on the floor on their way out to use the restroom, could leave their fragile, giant joints in a vulnerable position.
Pet parents can modify their homes and remove obstacles that may cause harm to their dog’s joints which will result in increased mobility, less stiffness, fewer flare-ups, and a lesser chance of developing arthritis.
Ramps– A dog ramp is a tool that can help your dog if they are expressing any sign of pain when going into or out of the car. If you have noticed your dog panting, drooling, yelping, or hesitating to want to get into the car, a ramp could help them to get in and out without the added strain of needing to jump. Additionally, jumping both in and out of a vehicle with a large spine can leave your dog prone to serious bone injuries. Therefore ramps can be utilized to prevent injuries as well. I personally recommend my clients get a ramp for their dogs once they become 7-8 years of age, whether they are exhibiting joint pain already or not, because preventative care is the best medicine!
Slippery Floors– Slippery floors that are often consuming of a house such as tile, hardwood, laminate or other can be very detrimental to a dog’s giant joints. Dog’s rely on grip in order to prevent slips. If your dog is slipping/sliding around the house it will increase their chances of developing arthritis. Covering slippery surfaces in your home with rugs and non-slip flooring helps to equip your dog’s paws with the grip that they need to protect themselves. Adding a rubber backed, non-slip rug like this one in high-traffic areas will be of the highest benefit.
Orthopedic Dog Beds– Did you know that on average dog’s require 16 hours of sleep to remain their healthiest selves? There are so many reasons that your giant breed dog needs a high quality, orthopedic bed in order to maintain health. Joint issues such as osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, age related joint issues, elbow dysplasia, ACL tears, and ligament issues can plague large and giant breed dogs, making an orthopedic bed a necessity for all large and giant breed dog owners. The University of Pennsylvania conducted a Clinical Study on the Big Barker dog beds and the results showed that the Big Barker bed reduced joint pain and stiffness, improved joint function and gait, and led to improved nighttime restfulness in large dogs with arthritis.
Stairs– For some large and giant dogs, climbing stairs can feel like hiking a 14er. If your dog is demonstrating signs of osteoarthritis, stairs should be minimized or eliminated. If your dog is younger or not demonstrating joint pain, it is a great idea to begin to eliminate the amount of stairs that they climb to remove the amount of trauma that their joints endure.
Paw Grooming– Pet parents will admit that their dogs would rather be out playing than getting a pawdicure, however it is a crucial part of dog ownership to maintain proper nail care. Negative consequences can result from not grooming our dogs’ nails, such as causing pain in their feet, pressure on toe pads, infection/irritation around toenails and a higher chances of slipping/falling. As stated by Canine Arthritis Resource and Education, “Over-grown nails will change the biomechanics of the digits and could lead to arthritis in the toes”. This means that long toenails can change the entire shape of your dogs feet and toes, causing irreversible joint damage. Thus, regular nail trims and even keeping paw fur trimmed can help reduce undue pressure on joints and allow your dog to better grip floors, especially if you have hard surfaces in your home!
As you can see, there are many actions you can take at home to help protect your dog’s joint health. And many of these can begin as early as puppyhood.
Read here about what to look for in an orthopedic dog bed and why I personally choose the Big Barker bed to support my large dog daily.
**Written in collaboration with Big Barker**