May is Arthritis Awareness Month – Improve Your Pet’s Mobility
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, a special event observed annually to raise awareness about arthritis prevention and treatment. Arthritis is an underdiagnosed, painful joint condition that can have detrimental effects on cats and dogs if left untreated. According to reports, 1 in 5 dogs and 5 to 9 in 10 cats experience joint pain and mobility issues due to osteoarthritis during their lifetime. Therefore, it is essential to treat and prevent this discomfort-causing joint condition.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a joint disease in pets that occurs as a result of inflammation of one or more joints. Also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, this condition can happen for various reasons, such as ligament injury, trauma, obesity, aging, tick diseases, bacterial or fungal infections, degenerative changes, or metabolic disturbances.
These conditions cause eroding of the cartilage covering the bones, further causing the ends of the bones to rub against each other, causing inflammation. The bone-to-bone contact causes joint pain with movement, leading to discomfort.
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis in Dogs and Cats?
The apparent sign of arthritis in dogs and cats is a reluctance to move.
Other signs of arthritis in dogs include:
- Lameness
- Limping
- Difficulty walking
- Inability to jump
- Stiffness
- Changes in behavior
- Difficulty with stairs
- Inactivity
- Grumpiness
- Depression
The signs of arthritis in cats include:
- Hesitancy to jump
- Urination/defecation outside the box
- Poor grooming
- Increased sleeping
- Stiffness when getting up or down
- Irritability
- Swollen joints
- Matted or scruffy coat
Pain Management and Mobility
Pets are our family members, and it is our responsibility to take the necessary steps to manage the joint pain that they experience. If you have an arthritic pet at home, taking the following measures will help you manage their condition:
Weight control
Excess weight can put extra weight on your cat’s or dog’s joints. If your furry friend is overweight, help them lose those extra pounds. If your pet is not overweight, focus on maintaining a healthy weight to support the bone structure.
Medications
Your vet will recommend pain management medications after diagnosing the underlying cause of arthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed for pain management. These medicines help bring relief by reducing inflammation and stiffness.
Exercise modifications
Exercise is important for your pet’s overall well-being. But remember that high-impact exercises can put extra stress on your joints, causing pain and discomfort. Taking your pet out for small walks or swimming sessions is the best way to exercise them without putting strain on their joints.
Rehabilitation therapy
The veterinarians who are experts in animal rehabilitation can recommend various rehab therapies to strengthen your pet’s joints and improve their flexibility. Consult your nearest animal rehabilitation clinic to work out a pain management strategy for your arthritic pet.
Nutrient-rich diet
A diet rich in nutrients that are imperative for your pet’s health can greatly benefit the management of your pet’s arthritis condition. Ensure that your dog food or cat food contains ingredients like eggs, walnuts, linseeds, sardines, salmon, chicken, turkey, whole grains, and sweet potatoes. You can also add arthritis supplements to your pet’s routine.
Read More: Signs Your Pet May Have Joint Pain
Arthritis Prevention in Cats and Dogs
Unfortunately, arthritis cannot be cured, but you can take active steps to prevent it. This can be done by keeping your pet’s joints healthy through regular exercise and joint supplements.
Start giving joint supplements to your dog early, at the age of 2 or 3 years, to derail arthritis. Always look for joint supplements with glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin, omega-3, curcumin, and other anti-inflammatory ingredients. You can consider buying some of the top vet-recommended joint supplements for cats and dogs like Arthrimed Powder, Mobiflex Joint Care, and Arthritis Care Tablets.
If you notice any symptoms of joint aches or soreness, make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. Pets can hide pain very well, so only your vet can detect conditions like arthritis with the help of radiographs, x-rays, and other diagnostic tools.
Final Words
Early detection, prevention, and management of arthritis will help you improve your pet’s quality of life. May is Arthritis Awareness Month and the perfect time to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of this disease. We hope this comprehensive blog will help you educate your fellow pet parents about this debilitating condition. So, grab this opportunity to educate more pet parents by sharing this blog with them!
