Does your dog have any of the following symptoms:

• Walking awkwardly
• Has Difficulty standing
• Limping
• Stiffness
• Refusal to jump or climb steps
• Swelling of the joints

If so they may be suffering from joint problems.

There are a number of causes for joint pain, including:

Hip dysplasia, developmental problems, metabolic disease, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyperparathyroidism.

Degenerative joint disease is the more common cause, which mostly affects cartilage, the hard but slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint.

Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another.

It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement.

In dogs with degenerative problems, the surface layer of cartilage breaks and wears away.

This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape.

Check out the video below where we show some of the best natural ways to keep your dog's joints healthy: