There’s no doubt about it, we love our animals and would do anything to keep them happy and healthy. When they are young, we offer them plenty of stimulation – we take our puppies out exploring and provide enrichment for our kittens. Even with our small furries such as rabbits and guinea pigs, we cater for their needs offering foraging opportunities and socialisation.
When we get a new pet, we always adapt our home in some way to suit their needs. For kittens, we might get a cat tree. For puppies, we end up ‘puppy proofing’ our home so that it is safe for them to explore. But, have you ever thought about adapting your home for your older pets?
Arthritis in cats, dogs and even small furries can really affect the day-to-day life of our pets and there may be some easy modifications that you can make at home to better support your furry friends.
Let’s take a look at some easy ways that you can manage arthritis for your pets at home.
How do you know if your pet has arthritis?
Before we delve into the ways in which arthritis can be managed, how do you actually know if your pet has arthritis? If you are reading this, chances are your pet has been diagnosed, or you are suspicious of arthritis.
Arthritis is a degenerative bone disease that causes joints to become swollen and painful. The joint of a young, fit animal has a smooth surface of bone, cartilage and joint fluid which allows the joint to move and glide without any pain. The joint of an animal with arthritis usually has little to no cartilage and minimal joint fluid, so bones usually end up rubbing together causing pain and discomfort.
Animals with arthritis usually display symptoms such as:
- Stiffness after periods of rest or activity
- Limping
- Swollen joints
- Lethargy
- A shift in demeanour
If you suspect that your pet has arthritis, make sure to book an appointment with your vet, who will be able to look at ways in which the condition can be managed.
Medication
One of the most common ways that arthritis can be treated is through regular medications. Your vet will be able to discuss the options with you – and some of these options may be more affordable than you think. If your pet is covered with an insurance policy, arthritis medications and treatments are usually claimable.
Joint supplements
These work best as a ‘preemptive’ treatment for animals who may be nearing their geriatric years. However, if you have a pet with arthritis and haven’t started supplements, now is the time to do so! They are packed full of goodness that is designed to maintain existing joint health. There are a wide selection of different supplements for all different species, so speak to your vet to see what they recommend. Most of these treatments are available without a veterinary prescription.
Pain relief oral medications
Your vet may think that it is necessary to prescribe regular oral medications for your pet. These may be in a liquid or tablet form. These medications will help to relieve the pain of arthritis and some may have anti-inflammatory elements which can help to reduce any swelling that causes discomfort.
Bear in mind that some medications may require routine blood tests to ensure that they are not affecting the vital organs of the body. Some medications may not be suitable for patients who are suffering with kidney or liver disease, which is often common in geriatric animals. These blood tests are highly recommended, as the medications can worsen these conditions if the organ values are not properly monitored.
Injectable pain relief
Many veterinary practices now offer monthly injections for cats and dogs which offers around 4 weeks of pain relief for our furry friends. These work by interrupting the transmission of pain signals to the brain and almost acts as a ‘pain blocker’.
If you are interested in injectable pain relief, speak with your vet to see what they can offer.
Home modifications
One of the easiest ways to manage arthritis is to change the environment that your pet lives in. When you brought your new pet home, they were likely full of beans, and no challenge was too big for them to take on. However, now they’re a golden oldie, they may struggle with tasks that they once used to take in their stride.
Ramps
High steps, stairs or even jumping into the boot may now be a little too hard for our pets to carry out. Even getting onto the sofa or climbing into a hutch can cause discomfort if they are suffering from arthritis. Ramps are a great way to overcome obstacles and still allow our pets to get where they want to go.
Many pet ramps are available to purchase online for different activities. Foldable ones are available to keep in your car, ramps that can be bent to get over a high ledge or even ramps that can go up your staircase are available. Make sure to purchase a suitable ramp that has extra traction added, as a slippery ramp is likely to cause more harm than good!
Raising food and water bowls
Something as easy as raising your pet’s food and water bowls can make a massive difference if they are struggling with arthritis. By raising their bowls, you are allowing them to be more accessible without having to bend their neck down to reach.
This is more applicable to larger breeds of cats and dogs, but can certainly make a huge difference no matter the size of your pet.
Cover slippery floors
Slippery floors can be a nightmare for pets that are struggling with arthritis. Imagine that you are in pain with your joints and then enter an ice rink, where your limbs can suddenly slide in any direction – it must be pretty painful!
Homes that have laminate or slippery flooring that does not offer any grip or traction can be a bit of a problem. Take a look and see if you can purchase any non-slip rugs or mats that may make your pet’s life a little easier.
Comfortable bedding
It goes without saying that a comfortable bed will make the world of difference. Hard flooring is not going to be able to support joints or help to reduce inflammation – it can actually make arthritis worse!
Orthopaedic mattresses are a great way that we can support the joints of our older pets. They allow the limbs and joints to be cushioned, helping to reduce the strain that is placed on the joints. Pair that with some nice fluffy bedding and an extra cosy blanket and your furry friend will thank you enormously!
For rabbits and guinea pigs, extra bedding materials can be offered in their hutches so that they can dig and make their own comfy bed. Vet beds are a great way to keep them off a hard hutch floor as they are strong and durable whilst also being comfortable and cosy.
It is also important to consider where your pet’s bed is placed. Stiff, aching joints do not appreciate the cold, so keep beds away from draughts. In the winter months, it may be worth offering them a heat disc or heat mat to help them to regulate their body temperature and ease joint pain.
Regular exercise can help
It may sound counterintuitive to exercise a pet who has joint problems, but encouraging light exercise can help with arthritis pain. Exercise can help to relieve stiffness, increase blood flow and relax joints.
Your vet may be able to refer your pet to a physiotherapist or for hydrotherapy sessions which can also help to greatly improve the symptoms of arthritis. This is where the joints are manipulated and exercised to help relieve pain and inflammation. Other treatment options include laser therapy and acupuncture, so speak to your vet to see what they can recommend.
Final thoughts of managing arthritis
If you think that your pet is struggling with arthritis, don’t just put it down to them being older. Just like humans, arthritis can be painful and your vet will be able to help you with a treatment plan to relieve their symptoms. By making small adjustments in your home, you can reduce pain and inflammation significantly and your pets are sure to appreciate it!
Consider non-slip mats, comfy bedding and even adding ramps to help to ease the aches and pains. Regular medications and supplements can also be given to your pets to help with their symptoms. If you suspect that your pet may have arthritis or joint issues, book an appointment with your vet.
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