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There are ways to help your arthritic pet

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Just like people, our pets are prone to arthritis as they age. You may notice your pet suddenly has more difficulty moving. Your once agile cat, for example, may not be able to jump on your bed as easily anymore. You might also notice your pet limping until he gets moving and loosens up. If your pet has decreased mobility, it's possible for their muscles to atrophy, or weaken, from lack of use. If your pet's muscles have atrophied, you'll notice that one limb looks thinner than the others.

With some animals, especially cats, it's not always obvious that they're in pain from arthritis. Not all animals are vocal about their discomfort. Pay attention to your pet's behavior and look for any changes that may indicate they are uncomfortable and having joint pain. If you suspect your pet has arthritis, talk to your veterinarian about the best plan of action for your pet.

Your vet may prescribe medication or suggest supplements but, in addition to that, there are some simple ways to help your arthritic pet be more comfortable.

Bedding: Therapeutic bedding designed for older pets will help your pet's achy joints. Be sure to keep beds out of drafts when it's cold outside and always put beds in places your pet can reach easily. If your pet has a hard time climbing the stairs as he gets older, bring his bed downstairs for him to use instead of making his use the stairs.

Utilize ramps: Help your pet move more easily by utilizing ramps throughout your home. A ramp can help your pet get on the couch or bed, bypass small staircases, or get in and out of your car. For some dogs, low stairs may be a solution over a ramp. The door to my backyard, for example, is not high enough to require stairs, but the one step down from the door is a little too high for my senior dog, so we've built her a low, wide step to cut the distance in half and make it easier for her to go outside.

Massage: People aren't the only ones who enjoy a massage now and then. In addition to bringing your pet to someone who can perform canine massages, consider learning the skills yourself so you can give your pet massages anytime.

Acupuncture: Yet another thing that's not just for people! Acupuncture has been show to help relieve the pain associate with arthritis in pets.

Nail care: It's so easy to overlook the importance of nail care in pets. If your pet's nails become overgrown, they can grow into the pads of his feet. Not only is this painful for your pet, it can distort your pet's gait, leading to unnatural stress on their joints. By keeping your pet's nails trimmed, you can help them have better footing when they walk around.

Low impact exercise: One of the best ways to help your pet is keep him at healthy weight. In addition to a healthy diet, try a low impact exercise like swimming. Don't worry about good weather or finding a safe place to swim; there are plenty of places that allow pets to utilize indoor swimming pools for therapy.

Added traction: Something as simple as adding more carpeting to your home can help your dog feel more comfortable. The extra padding from carpeting gives your pet more traction, making it easier for them to move around.

Easy access to basic needs: Your cat may have easily been able to access his food dishes on the second floor of your home when he was younger, but as arthritis and old age sets in, your cat may not be able to climb the stairs as easily. Arthritis could also lead to litter box issues if your cat can no longer access the box or climb into it without discomfort. Make sure the litter box is in an easy to access place and doesn't have a high lip for your cat to climb over. Your dog may be in a similar situation when it comes to going in and out of your house to go to the bathroom. One of the most common mistakes pet owners make is forgetting that their pets' needs change as they get older, especially if they have arthritis.


Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, a cat, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.

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