Arthritis In Dogs and Cats: Signs and Prevention

Arthritis in dogs and cats is one of the most common illnesses to affect middle aged pets. It causes a lot of pain and discomfort, and can majorly affect your pet’s quality of life.

Early detection can make a huge difference. Here are the signs and ways to prevent your dog or cat developing arthritis

What is arthritis in dogs and cats?

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that becomes common as pets (and humans) age. Our joints are the parts between our bones that allow us to bend and stay limber. These joints are lined with cartilage. Arthritis occurs when a joints is unstable and the bones move abnormally within the joint. Over time this abnormal movement erodes the cartilage and bone begins rubbing against bone creating chronic inflammation and pain.

Some dogs are more prone to arthritis than others. These include large dogs such as the Labrador Retriever and the German Shepherd. When it comes to cats, the genetics of the Maine Coon, Persian, Scottish Fold and, Siamese makes them more prone to arthritis.

Signs of arthritis in dogs

Limping or walking stiffly

One of the most obvious signs that your dog or cat may have arthritis is if they’re limping or walking stiffly. Pets limp for a variety of reasons, of course – including a sore on or obstruction in their foot, or a sprain, break or ligament tear. But if they haven’t been injured and are limping, this could be due to arthritis pain.

Slowing down

Another sign of arthritis is if your doggo seems to be “slowing down”. Young pups are usually spritely, energetic, and always moving around. Becoming more sedentary as they age is normal, but if you notice a very sharp decline in their movement and a resistance to walking, running or climbing stairs, it could be arthritis.

Signs of arthritis in cats

There are several signs for arthritis in cats and, aside from noticeable discomfort when moving, here are just two:

Urinating or defecating outside of litter box

According to PetMD, cats show different signs of arthritis than dogs. Cats with arthritis may find it too painful to jump into their litter box, and may start using the toilet outside of their box.

Grooming excessively

Another signs is your cat grooming excessively in one area. This is a result of them trying to soothe the focal arthritis pain.

Prevention

In combination, the below approaches can help greatly with preventing arthritis in dogs and cats.

Avoiding obesity

One of the leading causes of arthritis in pets is obesity. The most effective way to decrease the chance of arthritis is by making sure you pet maintains a healthy weight.

In Australia, 41% of dogs and 32% of cats are overweight or obese. What’s more, many breeds that are Aussie favourites, like the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever, are prone to weight gain.

Our article on National Pet Obesity Day will give you good information on how to prevent obesity and maintain your pet’s weight.

The right nutrition

A nutritionally sound diet from the start is another great preventative measure. It has been found that puppies benefit from a slower, more controlled rate of growth. For that reason, a consistent, controlled diet of high quality food is important.

There are so many brands of pet food currently on the market that it maybe become overwhelming choosing what to buy. Here’s a great write-up on how best to feed your dog and other write-ups about best feeding cats plus our guide on the pros and cons of raw food for puppies.

Supplements and medications

There is no current data supporting the use of supplements to prevent arthritis in dogs. However, you can use supplements to support their joints. Ask your vet about high quality supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help slow the loss of cartilage and keep your pet comfortable longer. Other important supplements include Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA found in fish oil.

Then there is medication, such as Cartrophen, that your vet may prescribe to lessen the symptoms of arthritis in your beloved pet. These can help greatly in controlling pain and inflammation, depending on the patient.

Quality exercise

Exercising animals is so important. It not only keeps them stimulated and happy, but it makes their muscles and joints strong. Fit dogs and cats are less prone to developing arthritis. The right kind of exercise is also key – too much high-impact running on hard surfaces like tarmac can actually increase the chance of arthritis.

Swimming is a great, low impact way of exercising your dog without walking will love (though your cat might not!).

Cover their healthcare

Despite the best prevention, your pet may still get sick or injured at any time, which can lead to a lot of expensive vet bills. PD Insurance covers a wide range of medical situations, so you can focus on getting your pet the best quality medical care quickly.

Get a free quote with us today.