Arthritis is a common condition that primarily affects older pets. It is inflammation in the joints, resulting in stiffness, mobility issues, and pain. However, pet parents can prevent or manage arthritis in pets by taking preventative measures. It will improve the quality of your pet’s life. In this blog post, we will dig into common symptoms of arthritis and preventative tips for managing this condition that every pet parent should know. Read more below
Common Symptoms of Arthritis in Pets
- 1 sweet potato (peeled)
- Lameness or limping
- Difficulty while moving
- Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
- Stiffness, particularly after rest
- Lethargy or decreased activity
- Swollen or tender joints
Tips for Preventing Arthritis in Pets
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
This is one of the most important tips as excess weight puts stress on your pet’s joints. This increases the risk of arthritis. Make sure to provide a balanced fresh food diet to your pet, and take them for regular exercise. It will allow them to maintain a healthy weight. You can also consult a certified holistic pet health coach to get a tailored wellness plan to keep your pet’s weight under control.
- Ensure a Complete Nutritional Diet
You need to provide a balanced diet to your pet rich in all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. The food you give your pet plays an important role in maintaining your pet’s joint health and overall well-being. Stay away from high inflammatory kibble diets and opt for a fresh whole foods diet. Make sure that you include food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin as these are important to support joint health. You can also meet their nutritional deficiency with herbal supplements. Make sure to consult a professional healthcare provider before adding supplements to your pet’s diet.
- Regular Exercise
Just like humans, pets also need to have physical activities for stronger muscles and flexible joints. If you are not sure about how many hours of activities your pet needs daily, you can consult a holistic vet, pet physical therapist or holistic pet coach. They will assess your pet’s breed, health conditions, age, and diet to tailor physical activities. This will support bone health, reducing the likelihood of arthritis in pets.
- Protect Against Injuries
Protecting your pets from injuries can reduce the chances of arthritis later in life. Understand your pet’s boundaries and limit their activities accordingly. Make sure that your home and outdoor space are safe, especially if you have young pets. Make sure to keep an eye on your pet during playtime to avoid accidents or overexertion. Avoid slippery floors as much as you can.
- Schedule Regular Checkups with a Holistic Pet Coach
It’s best to follow a holistic approach to ensure the overall well-being of your furry family. We can help you monitor your pet’s joint health, and suggest appropriate natural treatments, and preventative measures, tailored to your pet’s specific requirements.
- Use Joint Supplements
Some joint supplements such as; turmeric, green lipped mussels, glucosamine, chondroitin can help promote healing of joint health for your furry companion.
- Consider Alternatives to Early Spay/Neuter
Spaying and neutering too early can bring potential long-term health complications including complications with joint disorders and musculoskeletal problems which can lead to early arthritis. Several studies have concluded that hormonal imbalance from spay/neuter, have high risk of those musculoskeletal disorders. Consider vasectomy and ovary sparing-spay in lieu of neuter or spay.
- Consider Alternatives
You can also follow alternative approaches like acupuncture, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic or massage to support your pet’s joint health and reduce discomfort. Using natural treatments like PEMF or red-light therapy along with these therapies can maximize the benefits.
Managing Arthritis in Pets
If your pet is being diagnosed with arthritis, here are some effective ways to manage this condition and alleviate discomfort:
- Pain Management: Your pet’s holistic coach may prescribe supplements to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: Professional therapy can strengthen muscles, improving mobility in pets.
- Weight Management: If your pet is overweight, consult a pet health coach to get a tailored wellness plan that can help your pet lose weight. A healthy weight is the most important factor to reduce strain on joints and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle is one of the most common reasons for arthritis in pets. Lack of exercise, too many treats, and poor diet can contribute to arthritis in pets. Work with your holistic pet health coach or holistic vet to make simple lifestyle changes such as shorter walks, ensuring a comfortable environment at home, non-slippery floors, and comfortable bedding to improve the quality of your pet’s life. All these things will collectively reduce discomfort.
Arthritis in pets is a manageable condition if the right care is provided on time. It needs to be addressed proactively to ensure your pet can enjoy its life without any discomfort. Recognizing symptoms and implementing preventative measures will ensure the happiness and comfort of your furry companions.
Pawsome Holistic is the right place if you want to follow natural approaches to prevent or manage arthritis in pets. Book a consultation with us today and let us help your pet with a tailored wellness plan.