How to Tell If Your Dog or Cat Has Arthritis (and What to Do About It)
Like humans, our pets can develop arthritis, which can significantly affect their quality of life if not properly treated with it. While some growth retardation is inevitable as your pet ages, some of the signs we usually associate with aging are actually related to arthritis. Arthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease , develops when the cartilage in a joint breaks down , resulting in a painful state of bone rubbing against bone.
Aging is inevitable, not developing arthritis. Although some of our pets will develop arthritis, treatment can help manage their condition. Therefore, before rejecting some of their symptoms as part of the normal aging process, closely monitor their behavior to offer them the help they need.
These 7 Signs Indicate Your Pet May Have Arthritis
Unfortunately, our pets can’t tell us what’s going on, which means that we must be especially alert to any behavioral changes that indicate a problem. For arthritis, this means watching your pet for signs that it is not moving as easily as it used to be, or that it might be in pain. This can be especially difficult with cats, which tend to act like they are okay, to the point where it becomes really obvious that they are not.
According to PetMD, seven signs that your cat or dog may have arthritis include:
- Limping
- Difficulty getting around
- Spine problems such as poor posture.
- Excessive fatigue
- Irritability that gets worse if stroked or touched in such a way that it hurts.
- Muscle atrophy
- Licking, chewing, or biting painful areas;
Another symptom of cats is urination or defecation outside the toilet because the pain in their joints makes it too difficult for them to get inside.
How to prevent arthritis in pets
The best way to prevent arthritis is to maintain a normal weight for your pet , as this reduces the stress on the joints. If you notice that your pet is feeling uncomfortable, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to put your dog or cat (s ) on a diet. This will include identifying a healthy weight, the best food for a healthy diet, and strategies to counter their very pitiful eyes.
For large breed dogs that are especially prone to developing arthritis, it is really important to feed them the correct diet during development so that their bones and joints develop properly.
How to treat arthritis in pets
Treating your pet’s arthritis will require a number of different strategies, including pain relief and pain relief. To manage pain, your veterinarian may prescribe pain relievers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that have been specially formulated for your pet. (It’s important to note that the over-the-counter NSAIDs we take for pain can be extremely dangerous for your pet.)
To reduce your pet’s pain, which can help reduce his reliance on pain relievers, you need to control his weight and make sure he does enough exercise. When it comes to diet, their veterinarian may recommend special foods to help them lose weight, and some joint supplements may help reduce pain. When it comes to exercise, you should avoid strenuous activities like running or jumping and instead opt for gentle exercise, which will have the double benefit of building muscle that will support their joints and also help with weight loss.