How to Prevent Hip Dysplasia in Dogs & Puppies

Help prevent this debilitating condition in your best friend.

Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease that affects almost any breed of dog, large or small. A dog with hip dysplasia will have hip joints that do not grow correctly. This can lead to a deterioration of the hip bones and even arthritis. Many dogs who suffer from this condition are forced to move with the assistance of a cart and may even need to be put down because of the pain associated with the disorder. There are measures that can be taken to cut down on the risk of your dog suffering from this debilitating disorder.

Things You'll Need

• Dog sweater
• Blanket
• Orthopedic foam dog bed

Instructions

1. Maintain an ideal weight for your dog. This can vary greatly from breed to breed, so ask your veterinarian what a healthy weight is for your dog. One way to help maintain that weight is to feed the dog a kibble that is specially formulated for weight control.

2. Massage the dog's hips and legs gently after a bout of strenuous exercise. This will help relax and loosen the muscles, both of which can help keep the dog's hips healthy and strong. Proceed with caution if the dog is already suffering from hip issues and is in pain.

3. Exercise the dog daily. A long walk once a day will help work out and strengthen the dog's hip muscles.

4. Keep the dog warm by placing a sweater on it if the weather outdoors is cold and damp. You can also place a warm blanket in with the dog or turn up the thermostat in your home. Just like arthritis in humans, sore hips can feel worse when the dog catches a chill.

5. Relieve the pressure on the dog's hips at night by providing it with a foam dog bed that evenly distributes the dog's weight, which will relieve that pressure.

References

• Hip Dysplasia in Dogs: Prevention of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs