Arthritis is a common complaint in aging dogs and to a lesser degree, cats.

Overview of the Disease
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease causing either inflammation of the membranes around the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) or a build-up of calcium within the joints (osteoarthritis). The bones may become brittle and wear away.

Either way, pain and stiffness result. Chronic pain can further result in loss of appetite, fatigue and other symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis is rare in cats, and osteoarthritis usually is less severe in cats than in dogs.
Cats are also much more stoic and either have a higher pain tolerance than dogs therefore don't show their discomfort as easily.

The causes of arthritis are wear and tear on the joints, injury or disease. It is an inevitable result in dogs with dysplasia of the hips or elbows.

Not Always Arthritis
If your pet is experiencing loss of appetite, fatigue or difficulty with movement, be sure to have him checked out thoroughly by your veterinarian, don't just assume arthritis. There are many other diseases and conditions that will result in the same symptoms.

Managing the Disease
Management involves keeping the joint mobile and mitigating pain and inflammation.

Diet and exercise play an important role in managing the disease.
An all-natural diet keeps the immune system healthy and minimizes stress on the kidneys and liver, thus allowing the body to easily rid itself of toxins.

A build-up of toxins can be a cause of arthritis, and can aggravate the condition no matter what the cause.

It is also necessary to keep the animals weight down throughout its life. Being overweight puts undue stress on the joints, and can speed up the onset of arthrititis.

The arthritic dog or cat to should get some kind of exercise each day as long as it is able. Even if it is nothing more than a walk around the perimeter of the house, simple use helps keep the joints mobile.

Some Supplements Can Help
Glucosamine can help prevent osteoarthritis, slow its progression, and in some mild cases even reverse the condition.

Glucosamine is an amino sugar produced naturally in mammals. It is used in the creation and repair of cartilage. As the body ages it produces less glucosamine. Regardless of age, degradation of the joint tissue sets up a cycle causing further destruction and the bodies own glucosamine cannot keep up.

Active dogs and breeds genetically predisposed to arthritis or dysplasia will be helped by a glucosamine supplement throughout their adult life.

Diabetic dogs and dogs with bleeding disorders should not take glucosamine.

Other Options for Pain Relief
There are many choices for managing pain, from herbs to aspirin to prescription anti-inflammatories. A new herbal blend on the market has been getting a lot of attention lately. From Australia, the product is known as DGP, which stands for Dog Gone Pain.

Though the product is new, there is nothing new about it's ingredients. It is simply a blend of a number of common herbs traditionally used for inflammation, pain and nutrition.


The herbs used in this blend include the following:
Boswelia and Feverfew, both anti-inflammatories and analgesics;
Tumeric, an anti-inflammatory and digestive aid;
Celery seed, anti-inflammatory and carminative;
Bromelain and papain, digestive enzymes; other nutritive and supportive herbs.

Some of the herbs in this product may be contraindicated in certain cases, so be sure to check with a holistic veterinarian familiar with western herbalism. Also, individual animals may be sensitive to one or more of the ingredients, so go slow and watch for adverse reactions, such as stomach irritation.

Dogs can take aspirin, on a daily basis in needed, but cats should only get aspirin if directed by a vet. Neither should be given acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Check with your vet before starting your pet on any medication.

Acupuncture is a therapy that is very helpful in arthritis. It can do a lot for the quality of your older dog or cat's life.

Prescription Painkillers Not Always Safe
The vet may also suggest one of the newer NSAID medications. These are not without risk and should be given with care.

Most are not approved for use in cats.

Home Aids
There are some practical steps you can take to help your arthritic pet.

Consider building or buying a lightweight pet ramp for your car if you frequently take the dog for rides. If you have steps leading into your house, or leading to a part of the house you wish your dog or cat to have easy access to an indoor ramp may make it easier for them.

If they can still manage steps, lightweight pet stairs can be purchased or made to help the animal get onto a couch or bed.

Orthopedic bedding may make the animal more comfortable. Older dogs that used to sleep curled up may need a different type of bed now, one that allows them to sleep stretched out. They also may not want to climb onto a very thickly padded bed.

Heated beds or heating pads also give comfort to the arthritic animal.

Comes With Age
Arthritis is just one of the problems that beset our aging pets, but it usually can be managed and lived with for a long, long time.

Related Articles: Arthritis in Dogs
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