German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism. However, they are also prone to certain health issues, particularly hip and joint problems like hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by environmental factors. It occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form properly, causing the ball at the top of the thigh bone to fit badly into the socket of the hip. This can lead to instability, pain, limping, and eventually arthritis.
While hip dysplasia is often hereditary, there are steps you can take to reduce your German Shepherd’s risk of developing it or minimize its severity. Taking good care of your puppy’s joints can make a big difference. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge and strategies you need to help your German Shepherd maintain healthy hips throughout their life.
Choosing a Responsible Breeder
The first step in preventing hip problems is to choose a responsible and certified breeder. German Shepherds with hip dysplasia should never be bred. Responsible breeders will have their dogs’ hips certified by organizations like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or PennHip. These certifications are based on X-rays of the dogs’ hips to determine if they are viable for breeding. Trainers of police dogs, for example, are always very careful to select lineages without dysplasia. A breeder that removes the issues from their lines can usually tell that by them offering a genetic health guarantee, as in you get your money back and/or your dog replaced if they ever have a genetic health condition.
Controlling Food Portion Size
Puppies that grow very fast, often by eating too many calories, are more likely to develop hip dysplasia. When puppies grow very fast, their hips are less likely to grow at the same rate as everything else, leading to dysplasia. It’s important to always control portions, and your vet may recommend using adult food instead of high-calorie puppy food. A study identified that German Shepherd puppies who were allowed to eat as much as they wanted to had a higher incidence of developing hip dysplasia. Puppies who were subject to portion control, on the other hand, were less likely to develop this condition. Controlling food portion size may reduce the likelihood that your dog’s hips will grow too fast as a puppy. Portion control also helps keep your dog at a healthy weight, which is significant because extra pounds can exacerbate the symptoms of hip dysplasia.
Providing a Nutritious Diet
A proper and nutritious diet is crucial for preventing hip problems in German Shepherds. Introducing your German Shepherd puppy to a raw food diet as early as possible may help protect against hip and elbow dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. A study by the University of Helsinki indicated how raw feeding can help reduce the risk of your German Shepherd developing hip dysplasia. A more natural diet, like good quality raw food, will help your dog maintain a suitable weight and can support them against developing hip dysplasia. The best raw food for a German Shepherd is a species and life stage appropriate, nutritionally complete raw food.
Raw eggs are full of nutritious goodness for your dog! The shell contains calcium while the egg membrane is a source of collage, chondroitin, and glucosamine. Raw chicken is rich in protein and relatively low in calories.
Avoiding giving foods that are known as being toxic to dogs or those that they are allergic or intolerant to.
Exercising with Care
German Shepherd puppies need a lot of moderate exercise, but most people only have time for one strenuous outing per day. Intense exercise at a young age can cause your dog to be more likely to develop hip dysplasia. Too much exercise can cause injuries, and hip injuries may lead to German Shepherd hip dysplasia.
Limit puppy activity to several short walks and avoid rough play or long periods of running. Jumping can also cause problems, so don’t let puppies jump directly up and down for a treat or in and out of the car. You may even want to carry your puppy up and down stairs (until they are too big), to avoid joint damage. Rather than playing endless games of fetch with your German Shepherd puppy, try doing one of the following forms of exercise instead:
- Go for a short walk around your neighborhood multiple times a day.
- Swim at the lake.
- Practice leash training so that when your puppy gets big, he can enjoy all his walks without pulling your arm out of its socket.
Keep the dog off stairs as much as possible while his joints are developing. No jumping, or excessive exercising (running, frisbee, etc…) for at least the first year.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Throughout their life, be sure to keep your dog’s weight in a healthy range since obesity complicates joint issues. Extra pounds can exacerbate the symptoms of hip dysplasia.
Considering Hip and Joint Supplements
Adding hip and joint supplements for dogs to meals can help alleviate or prevent symptoms of hip problems from worsening.
Recognizing the Signs of Hip Problems
Knowing the signs of hip problems will help you navigate the best course of action for your canine friend. Signs of pain in a German Shepherd can be limping, crying/whining, barking, hiding, depression, lethargy, aggression, and a reduced appetite. Other symptoms include a “bunny hop” gait, lameness and decreased range of motion. If your German Shepherd seems to be limping on one of both front legs, please speak to your vet, who may recommend an X-ray to help develop a treatment plan.
Exploring Treatment Options
Potential hip problems treatment options for dogs can be separated into two categories:
- Preventative
- Curative
For some German Shepherds, the only available remedy for treating hip problems involves one of three surgeries:
- Double or triple pelvic ostectomy
- Femoral head ostectomy
- Total hip replacement
The Ortho Dog Hip Hound Brace supports and stabilizes the hip joint and helps reduce inflammation and pain. It is appropriate for German Shepherds of all ages and available in sizes small through extra-large.
Consulting with Your Veterinarian
If you have any concerns about your dog, please speak to your vet who will examine them and may also X-ray them to check their hips before putting in place a suitable treatment plan. Your vet can help you determine how much to feed your German Shepherd at each stage of life. Your vet should work with you to keep your dog as comfortable for as long as possible.
By taking these preventative measures and working closely with your veterinarian, you can help your German Shepherd live a long, happy, and active life with healthy hips.