Prevent and treat arthritis in pets with Dr Jo

Written by Simon Jones For Guardian Insurance

Expert Commentary provided by Dr Joanne Sillince

No pet owner wants to see their best furry friend in pain. But unfortunately, arthritis can be a common condition in both cats and dogs, and if left untreated it can seriously affect their quality of life.

To help you identify the signs and symptoms of arthritis early on, as well as learn how to prevent and treat it, we’ve got some expert tips to keep your pets happy and healthy.

Identifying the signs of arthritis in pets

Recognising the early signs of arthritis in your pets can mean faster intervention and better management of their condition. It can also mean there’s less strain on your wallet, especially if you’ve already taken out pet insurance for your furry friend.

“Arthritis is as common in cats and dogs as it is in humans,” Dr Joanne Sillince, Managing Director of Pets Australia, says. “Recognising it and dealing with it early will result in a much nicer life for your pet.”

Signs of arthritis in dogs

Arthritis is simply joint inflammation, and it’s usually caused by wear and tear, injury or genetics. For dogs, they might show several different signs of arthritis, but they can easily be mistaken for signs of ageing. Here’s what to look out for:

• Short stepping or lameness: Your dog might avoid stretching their legs fully during walks or runs.
• Difficulty getting out of bed: Stiffness and pain can make getting up very challenging.
• Painful when touched: Arthritic dogs can react to being touched in certain areas, whether that’s whimpering or other unusual noises.
• Tight muscles around key joints: Feel for tension around their lower spine and hips.
• Unusual defecation or urination: Pain might prevent them from moving to their usual spots.
• Groaning or whimpering: Vocal signs of discomfort are a clear indicator you need to visit the vet.
• Joints changing shape: Noticeable changes in joint structure should sound the alarm bells.

“Short stepping (not stretching their legs out on walks or runs) can be a major hint that something is amiss,” Dr Jo says. “Feel your dog – are the muscles tense around the lower spine or over the hips? Do the joints feel like they are a funny shape?”

Signs of arthritis in cats

Cats are masters at hiding pain, which unfortunately makes it harder to detect arthritis. But here are some things you might notice:

• Not jumping onto their usual spots.
• Seeking out warm areas more than usual.
• Less willing to get out of bed or increasing their resting periods.
• Avoiding their litter box.
• Pain over joints – reacting to being touched on their joints.
• Out of character grumpiness or aggression.
• Difficulty in bending and stretching, which means they aren’t grooming themselves as often.

“Sometimes a cat in bed for hours not sleeping because of pain can be the only hint that something is amiss,” Dr Jo says. “Poor grooming can also be a hint because that requires bending and stretching.”

How to prevent arthritis in pets

Stopping arthritis before it becomes a problem requires you to maintain your pet’s joint health and overall physical condition, according to Dr Jo.

“It’s about keeping those joints moving and in good condition with as little wear and tear as possible,” she says. “That means not too much heavy work on those joints until they are an adult – no high jumping or running to exhaustion.”

Get your vet or groomer to train you in body condition scoring and adjust their food intake regularly,” Dr Jo adds. 

Keep these three things in mind in relation to preventing arthritis in your pets: 

• Regular exercise: Make sure your pet gets enough exercise to keep their joints flexible without overloading them.
• Weight management: Keeping pets in ‘perfect’ body condition helps reduce stress on their joints. 
• Warm bedding: Keep your pet’s bed warm, especially in winter, to help their joints stay comfortable.

Effective arthritis treatments for dogs

Treating arthritis in dogs involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical interventions. So don’t be afraid to visit your vet – even if you think you might be jumping the gun.

As Dr Jo puts it: “Seeing your veterinarian will open many options, and many of them at a low cost.”

In terms of lifestyle adjustments, you can look at:

• Supplements like green-lipped mussel, abalone or shark cartilage.
• Mobility diets that have been designed for pet’s joint health.
• Nursing care such as warm beds, gentle exercise (e.g. swimming) and massage to improve their comfort levels.
• Love and attention to reduce stress and anxiety.

For more serious conditions or later-stage arthritis, medical treatments will often be necessary. These can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to deliver short-term pain control. 

“There are many specifically for pets,” Dr Jo says. There are also monoclonal antibodies, which is a newer treatment that, while showing promising results, can be more expensive.

“Sometimes fusing the joint can be an effective ‘last-ditch treatment’ for pain because it stops the joint from moving altogether,” Dr Jo adds. “It’s surgical and expensive but it can avoid euthanasia.”

Effective arthritis treatments for cats

Treating arthritis in cats also involves lifestyle changes and medical treatments. These might include anything from:

• Supplements and diets: Similar to dogs, supplements and mobility diets can support joint health.
• Comfortable living conditions: Warm beds and low-stress environments are essential. “Love! Pain is made worse in pets by fear or anxiety,” says Dr Jo.
• Physical therapy: Gentle massages and exercises can help maintain mobility.
• Vet-prescribed medications: For pain relief and inflammation management.
• Regular check-ups: See your vet often to make sure their treatment plan is on track and any adjustments can be made straight away.

“Do not be tempted to use medicines from your human medicine box,” Dr Jo warns. “Some of these can be toxic – and even kill – some pets.” 

It’s always important to consult your veterinarian if you have any questions around medication and they can find the best solution for you and your pet.

“Arthritis is not the end of the world!” Dr Jo reassures. “Many treatments are available.”

Pet care

As it’s a common yet manageable condition, having pet insurance means you may reduce the financial burden of pet arthritis and spend more time looking after your furry friend. Learn more about Guardian Pet Insurance and explore your cover options today.