If your dog is suffering from stiffness, the you have probably noticed them walking a bit slowly, and hesitant to jump off the couch. If you've already ruled out a serious issue such as bone cancer or severe arthritis after visiting a vet, then you're dealing with a dog that just has stiff joints or muscles. However, just because the issue is not as severe as cancer, it doesn't mean that you should let your dog suffer. And, if you are not comfortable giving them a prescription pill to conceal the pain, here are some alternatives.

Get Them A Heated Dog Bed

A great way to help your dog feel more comfortable is to get a heated dog bed. These are fantastic for dogs who have stiff joints because warmth can help soothe them. You should be careful about just taking a heating pad designed for humans and placing that on the floor. Often times these might not have enough insulation, and your dog might fall asleep on them and get a burn. Instead, choose a dog bed that has a heating function integrated into the padding.

Look Into Glucosamine and Chondroitin

One natural method of treating join pain is to take supplements named glucosamine and chondroitin. They are made from shellfish extracts. The supplements are also popular with humans who have joint pain, but they have also been used to help dogs that are experiencing joint pain and stiffness. The great thing about getting glucosamine and chondroitin supplements is that they are sold over the counter, so you don't have to get a vet to give you a prescription. Even more helpful is that you can find the supplements in supermarkets, health food stores, and large drug stores. You might want to consult with your vet before giving your dog high doses of this supplement. Even though it is sold over the counter, this doesn't mean that you should be cavalier with the administration of large quantities of the supplements.

Visit A Pet Acupuncturist

Finally, it is a good idea to consider taking your dog to a pet acupuncture service. These specialists are skilled in using acupuncture to help address joint and muscle pain. It might be that your dog has tension spots in their body that can't be addressed by heat, or glucosamine and chondrotin. An acupuncturist will use small needles to stimulate trigger points in your dogs back or legs. The small needles won't draw blood. If your dog feels relief from the procedure, you can bring them back periodically to get more relief from their soreness.

For more information, visit websites like http://www.1stPetVet.com.