Tips to Spot and Manage Your Pet’s Arthritis Pain

 

Thanks to advances in healthcare and the conscientious attention to their well-being by pet parents like yourself, pets are enjoying longer lifespans. Along with aging comes age-related pain from common conditions like arthritis. According to a report from prominent animal health company Boehringer Ingelheim nearly 20% of dogs and more than 40% of cats will experience arthritis in their lifetime. In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, we’re discussing signs and symptoms of arthritis and what to do if you suspect your furry friend may be suffering from joint pain.

 

Signals that Your Pet May have Arthritis 

 

Stiffness or Limping

If your pet seems to have lost muscle mass and is having trouble climbing stairs, hopping on the couch or jumping in the car they may be struggling with joint pain. You may also observe them struggling to find a comfortable position to sit or lay down. 

 

Slipping

Arthritic pets often struggle to keep their footing on slick surfaces such as hardwood floors.

 

Drooped Head and Loss of Appetite

Neck pain can cause pets to change their head position and if their food bowl is too low they may stop eating because of the pain.

 

Accidents

Has your cat been missing the litter box? If your litter box has high sides it may be difficult for a cat with joint pain to get inside.

 

“Stair-Stepping”

Cats with joint pain will often exhibit a behavior called “stair-stepping”. This refers to the act of jumping on several lower objects to get to a high spot that they used to be able to reach in a single jump.

 

Lethargy

Is your pet slowly becoming less active? Notice that they’d rather sit and observe rather than participate? Reduced mobility is an important sign that your pet may be beginning to feel the aches and pains associated with arthritis.

 

Mood Swings 

Mood changes are another common sign of pain in pets. Pets suffering from severe joint pain are more prone to bouts of irritability and stress. 

 

Weather 

Did you know that cold weather can cause arthritic flare-ups? If you notice your pet’s behavior changes significantly in cold weather they might be showing a sign that it’s time to visit the veterinarian for an evaluation.

 

 

Diagnosing and Treating Your Pet’s Arthritis

If your pet is exhibiting any of the signs above, bring them in for an evaluation. We’ll perform a physical examination and x-rays to confirm what’s going on. 

  

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many ways that our team at Advanced Veterinary Care of Olathe can reduce your pet’s pain, and improve your pet’s joint health to mitigate symptoms. Our team will tailor a personalized plan based on your pet’s age, how advanced their arthritis is, and your pet’s lifestyle.

 

Here’s a few tips to help your arthritic pet:

Orthopedic Pet Bed: There are several options for great orthopedic pet beds that are designed to evenly distribute your pet’s weight to lessen pain on arthritic joints. Place an orthopedic pet bed in all their favorite places to nap–including the car.

Ramps: Help your arthritic pet climb onto the couch and into the car with a ramp. This will lessen the chance of injury from failed attempts to jump.


Raised Bowls: Raise your pet’s food bowls up off the floor to make it easier for them to eat.



Lower Litter Box Sides: Replace high-sided litter boxes with a lower sided litter box that is easier for your arthritic cat to step into.



Non-Slip Rugs: Place non-slip rugs on hardwood floors to create a safe walkway for your pet.



Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips: Use these nail grips to provide arthritic pets with additional traction on hardwood floors.


Joint Supplements: During your exam we can recommend joint supplements to support joint health.


Therapeutic Diet: We can also recommend a therapeutic diet to support your pet’s joint health, these therapeutic diets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine, chondroitin and antioxidants.


Pain Management: Our team will customize a pain management protocol for your pet that may include laser therapy, pain medication, acupuncture, or platelet rich plasma therapy. Schedule an appointment today for your personalized treatment plan.


Physical Therapy: Depending on the severity of your pet’s arthritis we may recommend targeted physical therapy which could include massage therapy, hydrotherapy, and strength building exercises.


Regular Exercise: Our team will help you determine what is the right amount and intensity for a supportive exercise routine for your pet.


Home Modifications: During cold months make sure your pet has access to warm comfortable spaces to prevent flare up. 

Watch Out for Ice: Just like hardwood floors, icy conditions are difficult for arthritic pets to navigate.

 

 

Schedule an appointment for an arthritis evaluation and personalized treatment plan for your pet today.

 

 

Additional Resources

• https://www.petmd.com/dog/centers/nutrition/evr_multi_how-to-recognize-arthritis-signs-in-pets
• https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/how-help-your-pet-manage-arthritis-and-joint-pain 
• https://www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/arthritis-in-dogs