Realizing that your dog has arthritis can be upsetting, and you might worry about the pain that it is dealing with. You can talk to your veterinarian about prescription pain medication, but before you take that route, it's smart to consider your natural options. These are a few natural pain relief options that can help with your dog's arthritis pain.

1. Acupuncture

If you find a veterinarian who offers alternative therapy, you can ask about acupuncture for your dog. Just as with humans, acupuncture is designed to manipulate your dog's pressure points. This helps encourage your dog's body to release natural pain fighters, which provide similar effects as if your dog were to take pain medication.

2. Massage Therapy

If you find yourself dealing with a sore shoulder or back, you might find that a professional massage is the perfect way to alleviate the pain. In fact, it can be even more effective than pain relievers in some cases. The same can be true for your dog -- the massage can help ease aches and pains and can leave your pooch feeling more comfortable than it has in a long time. You can take your dog for regular massage sessions, or you can learn how to do it yourself. Regardless, along with providing some pain relief for your pooch, a massage is also sure to feel like a pampering experience.

3. Lifestyle Changes

Along with seeking alternative treatments, you should consider lifestyle changes that you can make for your pet to help provide pain relief. For example, even though your dog might have always jumped on your bed without any problem, this could become more painful for a dog that has arthritis. A good alternative is to invest in a nice pet bed or to install steps that your pet can use to get onto the furniture without putting too much strain on its joints. Avoiding long walks on hard surfaces and allowing your dog to get its exercise in a small swimming pool (even a kid's plastic swimming pool can work well, especially for smaller dogs) or on softer walking surfaces can also make a difference.

As you can see, you do not immediately have to opt for pain relievers for your arthritic dog, which can have ill side effects and can be expensive. Instead, you can try these natural options to help provide your dog with some relief, all without having to go through a frustrating experience of administering medication on a daily basis. Look for alternative pet therapy in your area for more help.