Recently, the FlexPet blog featured a popular article about how our pets express themselves using body language.

The topic of tails was highlighted, as a dog’s tail carriage or movement certainly reveals a wealth of information for human observers. One commonly held belief is that a wagging tail equates to a friendly dog. I wish such were always true, but I've been fooled by the appearance of a wagging tail only to barely escape a dog bite.

Although many dogs wag their tails with good intentions, a moving caudal (hind end) appendage merely indicates a dog’s willingness to engage or interact. Alternatively, a fearful or timid dog can tuck his tail between the hind legs. Dogs can also show changes in their tail carriage and movement when there is an underlying health issue.

The tail is composed of a series of vertebrae (backbones) connected by small joints (facets) that are surrounded by thick muscle and skin. Just like other parts of the body, the tail houses nerves as well as blood and lymphatic vessels. All components of the tail must function in unison to work as a proper behavioral indicator or rudder when swimming.

The tail connects to the base of the pelvis at the hind end of the sacrum (tail bone). Discomfort at this site can lead to changes in the tails’ carriage or wagging tendencies. Arthritis and its progression to degenerative joint disease (DJD) are common abnormalities that cause pain in our canine companions (covered in 5 Most Common Reasons Your Pet May Develop Joint Pain). Reduced tail wagging, resentment to being touched near the tail base, and unusual tail position are symptoms of dog arthritis, DJD, muscular overexertion, and other conditions that merit an examination by a veterinarian.

Besides a physical exam, your dog may need X-rays or blood tests to determine the cause of the problem and the best course of treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly prescribed to reduce arthritis pain in dogs, but there are side effects associated with their use. My goal is to reduce my patients’ reliance on these drugs. For my patients that have arthritis in their tails (and other locations), I recommend using FlexPet, an all natural joint supplement, as a means to build joint health and improve comfort and mobility.