As a pet owner, you want your furry friend to stay healthy and happy throughout their whole life. But as your pet ages, they may experience aches and pains, just like we humans do. One of the most common conditions that affects pets as they get older is arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease. Inflammation of the joints can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can make it difficult for your pet to move around comfortably. But don’t worry – there are ways to manage arthritis and keep your pet feeling their best. Let’s take a look at them.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage lining the joints wears down, causing inflammation and pain. This can happen for a number of reasons, like diseases, poor bone structure or development, an unusual gait, or excessive weight gain. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but for pets it’s most commonly found in the hips, knees and elbows.
Signs of Arthritis
It can sometimes be hard to know if your pet is experiencing arthritis, as pets can be very good at masking their pain. But luckily, there are a few telltale signs. These can include:
- Stiffness or slowness when getting up or down, or after resting.
- Difficulty going up or down stairs, or unwillingness to jump.
- Reduced activity level or reluctance to exercise.
- Dragging their back legs, worn toenails, or reluctance to groom in cats.
- Pain that’s worse after resting, vigorous exercise or cold weather.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian to find out if your pet has arthritis.
Managing Arthritis
While arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed with the right treatment plan. Your goal is to control the pain associated with arthritis and manage the inflammation within the joints. By doing so, the progression of the disease can be slowed down. Here are some tips to help manage your pet’s arthritis:
1. Maintain a Healthy Weight
You might think a chunky pet is cute, but if your pet’s weight is higher than ideal it can put a lot of pressure on their joints. Make sure your pet is at a healthy weight by providing them with a calorie-restricted diet and gentle exercise. Walking and swimming are great forms of exercise for dogs with arthritis, but be sure to consult with your vet to determine the appropriate duration of exercise for your pet.
2. Fed an Omega-3 Rich Diet
Omega-3 fatty acids can help block the inflammation around joints that causes pain. They also suppress the activity of an enzyme that causes cartilage damage, thus slowing the progression of arthritis. Talk to your vet about incorporating omega-3 into your pet’s diet.
3. Joint Cartilage Protective Medications
There are many veterinary products that increase joint fluid production and increase blood supply to joint surfaces. Some of these products, such as pentosan polysulfate, have been proven to slow the progression of arthritis and help control the pain associated with the disease. Nutraceuticals such as Green Lipped Mussel, which contain chondroitin and/or glucosamine, are also helpful in supplying inflamed joints with the “building blocks” of cartilage.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture can provide surprisingly great results for arthritic pets, and is free from side effects and drugs. Make sure to consult with a veterinarian who is specially trained in acupuncture to see if this treatment option is right for your pet.
5. Prescription Diets
There are many prescription diets for both dogs and cats that have been shown to assist in alleviating the discomfort and improving the workings of diseased joints. Many of them incorporate the omega-3 fatty acids and nutraceuticals mentioned above, as well as limiting calorie intake in order to combine joint support with weight loss.
Preventing Arthritis
If you don’t want your best friend to have to live with the pain and discomfort of arthritis – especially if they are a breed that’s particularly prone to it – you’ll want to start taking preventative measures early on. Many of the ideal preventative measures are similar to the management strategies above.
Primarily, our vets suggest developing specific habits, including proper diet and exercise, that will maintain a healthy weight for your pet. Feeding a complete and balanced diet designed for your pet and avoiding feeding too much can help a lot. Similarly, joint supplements and omega-3 fatty acids in their diets can help slow the loss of cartilage and keep pets comfortable for longer.
On the other end of the scale, over-exercising or exposing your pet to hard surfaces like concrete can impact proper bone growth, particularly in the hip joints. It’s better to exercise your pet regularly with appropriate intensity than to be a “weekend warrior.”
Lastly, remember that regular visits to the vet can ensure early detection, diagnosis and treatment planning for any signs of arthritis or conditions that could lead to arthritis.
Arthritis can drastically lower your pet’s quality of life, but prevention is simple and easy so long as you stick to a regular schedule. Support your pet’s health and wellbeing with products like Natural Animal Solutions Omega 3, 6 & 9 for Dogs and for Cats – recommended by the AVW veterinary team! Shop our entire range of joint supplements today.