Mobility & Arthritis in Pets
Approximately 50 percent of all senior dogs and cats struggle with some degree of mobility problems.
As is the case with humans, arthritis in cats and dogs causes changes in the affected joints that can be very painful. Most commonly, arthritis appears in the shoulders, hips, elbows, and knees, and it can make things like walking, standing, and urinating difficult. You might, for example, notice your dog’s legs slip or start to splay out as they stand in front of their food bowl. Jumping into the car might become impossible. Or perhaps you’ve noticed a change in their gait. The back legs of cats and dogs suffering from arthritis sometimes appear to be stiff—almost as if they were two miniature broomsticks void of any pliability in their movement.
Inflammation of the joints occurs when the cartilage within a joint is damaged, either from an acute injury or from wear and tear over the years. A normal joint will have a thin layer of cartilage covering the bones and will be lubricated with joint fluid—ensuring the joint glides smoothly and freely without any friction or discomfort. A joint with arthritis becomes rough, and the bone surfaces of the joint rub together, causing inflammation.
Aging animals are also prone to things like musculoskeletal shifts. Over time, the muscle tissue starts thinning out, which impacts muscle strength and in turn, the animal’s ability to balance. In some cases, elderly pets might also suffer from things like disc disorders, soft tissue injuries, or stenosis—which is why it’s important to have your pet assessed when signs of discomfort present themselves.
If diagnosed and treated early enough, the effects of arthritis can be significantly dimmed. At Loyal & Loved, our comprehensive approach to arthritis, which includes natural remedies, has shown great results in improving the quality of life for pets.
Some Tips For Pet Owners Grappling With Arthritis
Make your home Senior-Pet-Friendly:
Remember when you had to puppy-proof your home? Looking at your home environment through the lens of your elderly pet’s needs, and making small changes, can go a long way. If your home has slippery flooring (think: hardwood or tile), creating traction is a good idea. Bathmats, rug runners, or yoga mats can be strategically placed throughout the space. A yoga mat at the base of a staircase or in front of a food bowl, for example, will give your pet some grip where they’ll likely need it. We find that yoga mats are the easiest to clean and can be purchased for relatively inexpensive prices at discount stores.
Keep Their Nails Clipped
This also ties into the whole traction thing. When the click-clacking sound of your pet’s nails can be heard on the hardwood, it generally means that they’re getting less paw-to-surface contact. When they’re young and spritely, that’s okay. But in old age, every little bit of traction helps!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Water is life! Keep those water and food bowls in an easily accessible area. Dehydration can lead to stiff tendons and ligaments, which can cause heightened pain in arthritic dogs and cats, and increase the risk of injury.
Consider Medication (Prescription and supplements)
Our 10-step program, which includes natural remedies and prescription medication, tackles arthritis in a truly comprehensive way. We believe that lots of little improvements at every level can yield a big overall change.
Medication plan for arthritis is custom made for you pet in conslutation with the veterinarian and may include the following:
Beransa (Bedinvetmab)
Pentosan Sulphate
Meloxicam, previcox or other NSAID
EPA/DHA Fish oils
Green lipped mussel extract
Chondroiten Sulphate
Glucosamine
Epiitalis (4cyte)
Opioids Codeine, buprenorphine for hospice care palliation.
DIET
Introducing healthy oils to your pet’s mealtime can prove super helpful to their joint health, so that’s something we’ll definitely discuss. We might also encourage you to make some changes to your pet’s diet. Things like grains, and sugars, and salt (from all of those table scraps!), and corn tend to be inflammatory-inducing foods. Omega 3 oils such as EPA and DHA (found in fish oil) are also very beneficial.
We’ll also want to make sure your pet is at an ideal weight—overweight dogs and cats have the burden of carrying even more baggage on their already worn joints. Lightening the load will be an important part of the equation.
Mobility Assistance for Dogs
Additional Paw-Care
Dogs can develop an excess of hair between their toes, which makes their feet slippery (as if they were wearing socks). You can trim away the hair using a pair of beard clippers. If your dog objects to having the hair clipped, you might want to invest in a pair of skid-proof doggy booties to help the animal safely move across slippery surfaces without falling.
Potty Breaks & Pee Pads
Outside potty time becomes a problem for many dogs. Some canines have a hard time emptying their bladders completely, which means they’ll need more frequent potty breaks. Some pet owners find it helpful to place puppy potty pads near the door just in case the animal has an accident.
Doggy Lifts & Lifts With Support
Doggy harnesses that function like slings can help take some of the strain off of your dog’s aching limbs. We also recommend re-familiarizing yourself with the proper way to lift your dog—since you’re likely having to do this for car rides or stairs. Here’s a link to a video that shows proper technique. Just remember: the key is spinal support! The dog’s rump should never be hanging there, unsupported under the strain of gravity.
Mobility Assistance for Cats
The Accessible Litterbox
Invest in a litterbox that features low sides so your cat can easily step in and out of the box without needing to jump into it. Use only a thin layer of the litter so your cat does not sink into the sand. Sinking in the sand can make it difficult for your cat to walk or get out of the box.
Accessible Food & Water
Food and water bowls that are kept on the floor prevent your cat from having to climb or jump as much. Ideally, the food and water bowls will be accessible at all times.