CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) tears and damages are common in pets and can even significantly affect their health. Like humans, ACL tears usually happen when we’re doing routine activities and workouts. There are numerous reasons dogs snap their ACL, but repetitive tension is the common cause.

Most pet parents love throwing tennis balls for their dog to go after since it is a natural reaction in most canine breeds. However, repetitive movements and abrupt changes in direction can cause injuries in their stifle joints over time. Thankfully, this injury might be prevented with the helpful prevention guidelines we will discuss as we keep going.

Four Tips to Protect Your Dog From CCL Injury

The stress and pressure dogs put on their joints in their lifetime can cause damage that will ultimately cause the ligament to snap or give out. However, there are numerous useful tips pet parents can take to keep their canines from this injury. Below are four of them.

1. Always feed a balanced diet

Make sure the foods you feed your canine have good amounts of protein as this is needed and responsible for their hair growth and tissue repair. You might also add healthy oils like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to their diet, as these can help with joint and bone care.

Struggling to find the best balance of diet for your pet’s breed? You may ask the veterinarian for your dog’s tailored recommendations of diets and supplements. When seeing a veterinarian, you might also take this chance to get a wellness plan to get a discount on your pet’s veterinary care. You may click here to see the benefits you can get from purchasing pet wellness plans.

Routine wellness exams, annual blood testing, pet vaccinations, and parasite prevention are necessary to ensure your furry companion’s health is always in excellent condition. So getting a wellness plan for your pet can help you save money from the mentioned routine vet care.

2. Exercise daily

You must ensure your pet’s muscles remain flexible and strong to reinforce and maintain their joint health. Taking your dog for two sets of walks each day is great. Bear in mind that bigger breeds might need more exercise than smaller ones.

Always practice moderation and caution when working out with your canine to avoid injuries. Should you spot weird movements or fractures in your dog, have them examined by experts specializing in surgery for dogs for their prompt treatment.

3. Maintain a healthy weight

Overweight or obese canines are at threat of cruciate ligament injuries due to the increased pressure on their bones and joints when moving. The ideal way to reduce the possibility of this injury to your pet is to be cautious about what you feed them and how much food they eat. The quantity of food you’ll provide to your dog will depend on their breed. Larger or bigger breeds will need more and the smaller breeds lesser.

4. Prevent “weekend warrior syndrome”

If you didn’t exercise your pet the whole week but then go for runs, strenuous walks, and exhausting activities on the weekend, then you might have “weekend warrior syndrome.” Sadly, this routine can frequently do more danger than good. Your canine must always get the right amount of exercise consistently throughout weekdays or weekends. Or else, their body will be strained with the extra stress, leading to joint or muscle damage.