Dogs can suffer from inflammation throughout their bodies, the same as people can. If you are like other pet parents, you will want to ease your dog’s pain. Many pet owners want a natural anti inflammatory for dogs.
A natural solution helps you to avoid the side effects of some medications such as aspirin or other types of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Think about offering your pet some of these options as natural pain relief for dogs. As a bonus, many of these anti-inflammatories are found in the home.
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Why Choose a Natural Anti-inflammatory for Dogs
Often, products that act as a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs will have studies to back up its use.
These studies began by seeing how the products helped people with inflammation.
Later, veterinarians and researchers looked at how dogs could also benefit based on the human results.
However, if you feel any concerns about using these products on your dog, it is important to talk to your veterinarian.
They may know about the specific studies showing these products’ effectiveness.
These studies encourage some vets to recommend natural remedies for dog parents. You will find more on these studies under the remedies listed below.
Ask your vet about using natural supplements if your dog takes prescriptions.
Chronic conditions may also impact your vet’s approval of some natural remedies.
Some supplements could react to your pet’s illness or medicines. Your dog’s vet needs to know about every remedy your pet uses to know how else to treat it.
Top Eight Remedies for Natural Pain Relief for Dogs
If you want to use a natural anti-inflammatory supplement as an alternative to the prescribed medicine for your pet try some of these options.
These remedies rank among the most popular. But, when it comes to doses, talk to your vet.
Your pet’s condition and size will determine how much of these remedies it needs. For example, if you have a Great Dane, it may need more of a supplement than a Pekinese.
1. Turmeric
Many people already take turmeric as a supplement in their diets to ease arthritis pain. This supplement may also help your dog’s joint pain and inflammation.
The active ingredient curcumin has studies to back up its anti-inflammatory properties. These studies show effectiveness for both people and pets in lowering inflammation.
Curcumin is an antioxidant. When the body has too many free radicals in it, inflammation happens.
Antioxidants neutralize these radicals to reduce their effects on the body.
You can use turmeric from the spice section in the grocery store, we have a list of the best turmeric powders.
The standard dose is from one-eighth to one-quarter a teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight.
As with all supplements, talk to your vet about the exact amount of turmeric your pet needs. Too much can lead to an upset stomach and blood thinning.
You may also find formulas at pet stores made for dogs. Follow the label directions if you choose those. Or, you may find curcumin supplements.
These products give your pet a concentrated dose of turmerics active ingredient. Again, follow the instructions on the supplement’s label for the amount to give to your dog.
There are a number of treats on the market now that have a high content of turmeric. Read more here.
2. CBD Oil
One of the latest trends in natural pain relief for dogs is the use of CBD. This supplement does well to ease pain by relaxing your pet. Yet, don’t rely on CBD to correct what caused of your pet’s inflammation.
Don’t be afraid of making your pet high from CBD. This compound does not contain the THC that causes psychological effects.
In fact, you want to avoid products that contain THC, including whole marijuana. Dogs have stronger reactions to THC than people.
Exposure to marijuana smoke or THC products can cause toxicity in dogs.
CBD oil without THC is not dangerous for your dog to use in controlled amounts. Clinical studies back this up.
One showed that CBD oil was safe for dogs to use. Oral CBD oil was the most effective compared to beads taken by mouth and skin cream.
Dogs that took oil-infused with CBD by mouth had more of the active ingredients in their systems.
In another study, dogs taking CBD were more active and had less pain than those that had a placebo.
The study discovered the most effective dose of CBD oil was 2 mg/kg of body weight.
3. Fatty Acids
Supplements that contain omega-3 or 6 could help to reduce inflammation in your dog.
These fatty acids may also and prevent serious illnesses. Supplements with fatty acids are among the most studied natural products for dogs.
In fact, even if your pet does not have inflammation, it may need fatty acids added to its diet.
Many dog foods have lacked enough omega-3 fatty acids. Only recently have dog foods offered enough of this fat.
Studies have shown that fatty acids convert to anti-inflammatory compounds in the body. Dogs with the following conditions can benefit from these supplements:
Arthritis
Skin allergies
Kidney inflammation
Heart disease
Dry skin
If your dog takes chemotherapy for cancer, talk to your vet about adding fish oil supplements.
Pets taking both have better outcomes compared to those taking only chemotherapy drugs.
Talk to your vet about the correct dose for your pet. The dosage depends on your pet’s size and why hey needs to take fatty acid supplements.
4. MSM
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has a long name. But this natural product has been in use in pets for treating inflammation and pain for years. It appears in small amounts in your dogs diets.
These foods include fruits, vegetables, grains, and milk. For people, this supplement can ease inflammation in the lungs.
In dogs, clinical trials show that it helps reduce pain from osteoarthritis. Though not yet proven, some studies show that MSM could slow the growth of tumors or shrink them.
More studies need to happen before vets recommend this supplement for cancer, though.
This supplement is non-toxic. But over-the-counter products do not have strict regulations. The amount of MSM in a product may not match the label.
Ask your vet about which brands they trust. Also, ask about the recommended dose for your pet of MSM to get the needed benefits.
5. Ginger
Ginger, known for its use in gingerbread and ginger ale, also can help your dog’s inflammation.
It helps to improve both digestion and circulation. With more blood flowing to its joints, your dog may experience pain relief.
Additionally, ginger may slow the production of chemicals that cause inflammation.
To ensure that you get pure ginger, buy the whole root from your grocery’s produce section.
Peel and grate ginger to equal one-quarter teaspoon for adding to your dog’s food. Use larger amounts for larger breeds.
To encourage your dog to try the ginger, start with a small amount and increase it over time.
The taste can be too powerful for some dogs at first if you give it too much.
Ginger may also thin the blood. It also can reduce blood pressure and sugar.
Ask your vet if your dog should have ginger if it has diabetes or a blood problem.
If your dog has inflammation in its gut causing nausea and vomiting, consider ginger.
Ginger is well known for its ability to ease stomach pain and inflammation in both humans and dogs.
6. Cinnamon
The same cinnamon that you put on your oatmeal could help ease inflammation in your dog.
Studies show that cinnamon could ease IBD, joint pain, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
When giving your dog cinnamon, stop at least two weeks before surgery. Cinnamon has powerful blood thinning property.
This trait could increase the chances of bleeding too much during surgery.
You can give your dog powdered cinnamon that you use for cooking. The exact amount depends on how large and old your dog is.
A typical dose for a 50-pound dog is a quarter of a teaspoon twice a day for two weeks.
Sprinkle the cinnamon into your pet’s food. This amount may help arthritis pain and inflammation.
If your pet has IBD or gastritis, your veterinarian can provide you information about how much cinnamon to give to your dog.
7. Probiotics
Dogs that have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have swelling in the gut. This inflammation causes diarrhea and vomiting.
Vets usually recommend changing your dog’s diet to find food that does not cause problems.
Changing the diet to find something easier for your pet to digest may relieve the symptoms.
You also need to aid your dog’s gut to deal with food by including bacteria that help with digestion.
Probiotic supplements could help your dog to ease its IBD symptoms.
If you have had diarrhea from taking antibiotics, your doctor likely recommended probiotics.
These remedies restore the good bacteria in your gut that you lost. The same types of treatments can help your dog.
Talk to your vet about a specific probiotic supplement for your dog and how long you need to use it.
8. Glucosamine
One of the most well-studied supplements for dogs and people is glucosamine. This substance comes from sugar and amino acid, both products found in your dog’s body.
Glucosamine helps reduce inflammation and rebuild cartilage. Glucosamine supplements could help your dog’s bladder problems, IBD, or arthritis.
Many vets recommend this supplement as the first treatment for joint problems. Since your dog’s body already has it, glucosamine is safe to use.
However if your pet does not seem to improve with this product, talk to your vet about alternatives or changing the dose.
Why You Might Want Natural Anti Inflammatory for Dogs Instead of NSAIDs
Veterinarians often give NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) prescription medication to reduce inflammation in pets.
These drugs come with some serious side effects that may include the following:
Liver damage
Kidney harm
Dry eye
Stomach upset
Talk to the vet about all side effects of any prescriptions your dog gets for inflammation.
Some dogs have a greater chance of developing side effects from NSAIDs.
If your pet had a bad reaction to medicines before, you may want a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs.
If you choose a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs, always tell your vet about what you give to your pet.
This information will give your vet a more complete picture of your dog’s health.
When it feels pain or has inflammation in its body, you should do everything you can to help it feel better.
Holistic or herbal options may help your pup. Evidence backs up many of these natural anti-inflammatory for dogs remedies. So, you can feel confident in giving them to your pet.
Your dog can get relief from its pain, but you have to help. Whether you pick a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs or prescription. Partner with your vet to find the best products for your dog.
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