Arthritis affects many older dogs and cats, but doesn’t always cause the obvious limping or yelping symptoms that many pet owners might expect. Instead, pets with arthritis will often show more subtle signs of joint discomfort, such as a hesitance to jump or climb stairs, stiffness when rising from rest, or sensitivity to handling.

Whilst we, unfortunately, can’t cure arthritic joints, the good news is that there are lots of options to improve the mobility and comfort of affected pets – even those with other pre-existing health issues.

Pain relief
Depending on your pet’s general health, there is a variety of pain relief options that we may recommend, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and other joint-protective, anti-inflammatory or alternative pain relief medications

For any older pet starting on long-term medication, it’s best for our vets to perform general blood tests first – this allows us to screen for any pre-existing medical issues which could make certain medications unsafe for use.

Joint health supplements
As well as prescription medications, our vets can also discuss the usage of pet-safe nutraceuticals, such as prescription diets or supplements containing high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids for a natural anti-inflammatory effect.

General support
Lastly, there are some simple lifestyle changes that will help arthritic pets to navigate their environment more safely, easily and comfortably. These include:

• Maintenance of a healthy slim body condition
• Keeping your pet’s claws as short as possible
• The use of raised food and water bowls, non-slip matting and ramps
• The provision of extra-supportive, soft bedding
• Keeping your pet warm during the winter months with a warm sleeping location (and a coat for short-haired pets)
• In some cases, physical therapies such as hydrotherapy for low-impact muscle strengthening