Question by Ashley: Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food: Good or Bad?
My dog’s arthritis has been getting worse so we took her to the vet. They recommended she loses a little weight. Right now she’s on Beneful dog food. Now when we took her to her normal vet they said that food was fine and to just mix it with Beneful Diet food. But at the animal hospital this morning (she seemed to be in a lot of pain and the vet wasn’t open) they said Beneful was bad and to switch her to Science Diet. However, I read some reviews online that said that dog food was not a good kind. I need to know, I want the best for my dog. P.S. I have an 8 year old mini dachshund.

Best answer:

Answer by CanineTruth
Neither Beneful OR Science Diet are good foods – both contain corn, by-products, and/or other kinds of fillers. IE: junk that has little to no nutritional value to the dog. Neither contain an appropriate amount of meat.

Diet food is unneeded – limit calorie intake and increase an appropriate type of exercise. Exercise is essential to weight loss. If your dog can’t walk then invest in a kiddie pool of some sort and encourage swimming (swimming is a good form of exercise that is low stress on joints.)

I would choose a food that has a meat base, no corn, and no by-products. Wellness, Taste of the Wild, California Natural, and Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul are examples of some good brands. I would avoid Purina, Pedigree, Iams, Science Diet, and other brands produced by these.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Hayley ಠ⌣ಠ: My neighbor can’t handle her dog? ?
My mum and I just met a lady who just moved into our street. She seems like a nice lady, but clearly she can’t handle her dog.

She’s in her early 50’s and her dog is being destructive.. she must have bought him before realizing how much trouble dogs can be. I’ve explained all of that to her.

She wants to get the dog (he’s an 8 month old Pit Bull) a new home. He’s such a great dog, he’s obedient but he just gets bored.

I want to help him find a good home; her daughter wants to take him to the RSPCA.. but I don’t think it’s a great idea. Are there any good reliable sites that I could post an advertisement for him on? Is this a good idea? Or would it be better to advertise in the local newspaper? The neighbour has put notices on the local notice board at the shop but she hasn’t had any calls.

Any advice on what do to? I don’t think it’s an option for her to keep the dog; she has arthritis and a few other medical problems.. she didn’t know what she was in for when she bought him.

I’m in Australia, so no US sites thanks.
I’m from Melbourne. I was just thinking that people might not want to adopt him if he is taken to the RSPCA because most think that Pit bulls are really vicious. Which he is not.

Best answer:

Answer by b.w.
Here in the U.S. it is not a good idea to offer a bully breed in a newspaper or post advertisements. Too many people are unscrupulous and would offer to give the dog a “good” home only to use for breeding purposes or fighting. I would suggest you find a bully breed rescue. They will asses the dog, screen potential adopters and find the dog a good home.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by fostercare: Question about my Dog who seems like he has hairballs?
My Dog who is a 11 year old mutt. Every night and even in the day time he takes a deep breathe and then he does the same thing he does when my cats get hairballs. He has arthritis in his hips and he just is getting to be an old man. I dont know what it is. Please HELP!!

Best answer:

Answer by gimpybaker
It sounds like a reverse sneeze. My dog did this frequently in his old age. It usually isn’t anything to worry about, but it doesn’t cost anything to give your vet a call for reassurance.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by dog lover: can my dog take aspirin for arthritis pain?

Best answer:

Answer by sopretty09
no because the med. is to strong for them

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by Clumsical ~Border Collie Love~: Will an older dog who gets injured have a higher chance of arthritis/hip dysplasia/etc?
My dog, as many already know, tore a ligament in her knee on one of her back legs. It is already getting a LOT better with bi-weekly physical therapy sessions with our vet.

Although she’s getting better, I’m afraid her running, jumping, frisbee catching days are coming to an end because of the injury, even if she does make a full recovery.

Will she have a higher chance of any sort of physical disorder when she gets older?
Oh, by the way, she is a 6 year old Border Collie.

Best answer:

Answer by tarielle_au
The chance of getting arthritis will definately increase with a pre-existing injury.

You might have to start her on arthritis supplements earlier than normal but she should still be okay since she’s having therapy to heal it.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Question by kdlowe: How do you know if a dog has anemia?
My dog had fleas, but is now treated with comfortis and frontline…he also gets bathed regularly. He walks like he has arthritis and has been losing weight. He still eats normally and has normal bowel movements. I am worried. I have not seen any worms in his stool. Anemia? And what is the treatment?

Best answer:

Answer by Sarah G
anemia doesn’t make you lose weight. it makes you tired. he probably has a paracite.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by justin: What is the best pain reliever for a 3 month old dog? ?
We saw her limping one morning and it seemed to worsen when my brother, not knowing of his condition, carried him. Our dog cried so hard and she now is terrified ( i’m sure coz she’s in deep pain ) to use her back legs. We still can’t take her to a vet because everytime we try to lift her up, she would cry so hard in pain. We still are not sure if it’s hip dysplacia or arthritis or something else. Please help.

Best answer:

Answer by Gsd’s and APBT’s babyy!
You need to take your dog to the vet.
That is what she needs.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by Leo-bug’s mama: Will my dog’s fracture lead to future arthritis or other problems?
My little pomeranian tried to squeeze through a heavy closing door when he was 4 mo. old which resulted in a fracture to the top part of his leg. He needed to have his leg pinned, yet since the fracture happened while he was still growing, it affected his growth plates, and now that leg is about half a foot shorter. He is 7 mo. old now, and it doesn’t seem to bother him, he tries to use it, but cannot put much weight on it since it is so much shorter, so the muscle mass is way smaller in that leg. I was just wondering if there is anything that could be done to help the situation, or if anyone else has had this happen to a pet- will he have future problems? Might he eventually lose the leg due to not enough muscle mass?

Best answer:

Answer by isiskas
Ask your veterinarian what they might suggest at this point. If there is nothing they can do then they may be able to refer you to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. If there is a veterinary school nearby then I might take it there since they have specialists there. It may require another surgery to get the legs to match.

Swimming might help build muscle in the atrophied leg. As for future problems, I don’t know.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by alessa: Massage for dog?
My dog has horrible arthritis in her legs, and my vet said I should give her massage on the legs (but no pushing on her legs hard or anything). Would anyone possible know a good way to massage a dogs legs without having to really push down on them?

Best answer:

Answer by farah2004usa
Trying stroking you fingers and lightly pressing on her legs.Also trying rubbing you hands around her legs.Its almost the only way you can massage your dog.

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Japnam: i had adopted a street dog,bt now i am leaving for hostel and my mom suffers from arthritis,so no one is there?
to look after him now!!!so plz tell me where i can give him away!!!plz!!he is 5 years old,playful active and adhears to simple commands!!we live in chandigarh,punjab!India!!plz help!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Chetco
Call either of these to ask for help or helpful advice>
SPCA Chandigarh
Sector 22 C, (Behind Kiran Cinema) Chandigarh – 160022, India. Ph: 706399 / 690242

People For Animals (PFA)
42, Gurmeet Nagar, P.O. Model Town, Jallandhar Ph: 272000 / 237347 / 220235

What do you think? Answer below!