Arthritis is very common in dogs and cats, especially as they get older. The symptoms are often mistaken as the pet simply getting old, but there is a lot that can be done to improve comfort and mobility in these pets and help them live their best lives.
DOGS
Signs of arthritis
- Reluctance to get up, especially after resting.
- Difficulty with stairs or getting in and out of the car.
- Signs of pain e.g. crying out.
- Sleeping more.
- Limping and/or stiffness.
- Slowing down or not wanting to walk as far.
- Joint chewing or licking.
CATS
Cats are very good at hiding any signs of pain or illness, so arthritis symptoms can be subtle.
Mobility:
Your cat may be reluctant to
• Jump up or down onto or off of surfaces
• Go up and/or down stairs
• Jump or climb into/onto their favourite bed
• Play
• Use scratching posts (or other substrates)
Behaviour:
Your cat may be
• Grumpy or less happy with people and other animals in the house
• More withdrawn – interacting less with others in the house
• Less active
• Sleeping in different locations e.g., on the floor
• Not coming upstairs/into the house any more
If you are unsure as to whether your cat may have arthritis pain, you can complete this simple checklist.
If you are concerned your pet is showing signs of arthritis mention this to your vet at your pet’s next check-up, or book an appointment for them to be assessed.
Next week our article will cover things you can do to help your pet with arthritis.