There are plenty of suitable activities you can try, but check with your vet before you get started to make sure they’re suitable for your pet’s circumstances.
Gentle, low-impact activities are best for sore joints. Walking and swimming are ideal for dogs. For cats (or dogs on rainy days), gentle indoor playtime is just what the doctor ordered. Aim for regular but relatively short activities (e.g. 15-30 minutes, 5 days a week) so your pet doesn’t get worn out. Avoid activities that may aggravate or damage the joints, like jumping, climbing stairs, chasing balls and sticks, or making sudden changes in direction. Running isn’t recommended, so it’s best to keep enthusiastic dogs on a leash during their walks.
The more weight your pet is carrying, the heavier the load on their sore joints, which can make arthritis worse and speed up damage to the cartilage in their joints. Making regular exercise a part of your pet’s routine helps them maintain a healthy weight.
Keep an eye out for signs that your pet is in pain – limping, heavy panting or being unwilling to move may be signs you are overdoing things. So take it down a notch, especially if your pet isn’t normally very active. You may need to talk to your vet if limping or stiffness becomes worse with gentle exercise. There may be medications or other treatments that can help relieve pain and get them moving more freely.
Supplementing your pet’s diet with ‘nutraceuticals’– natural substances like glucosamine, chondroitin and essential fatty acids which are essential for healthy cartilage – is another great way to help sore joints.
For healthy dogs that are predisposed to joint problems or have early signs of arthritis, try PAW Osteocare Joint Health Chews delicious daily chews with glucosamine and chondroitin that help nourish, protect and rebuild cartilage.
If your dog is older, is missing teeth or have other concurrent medical conditions, then PAW Cosequin® DS capsules is a concentrated formulation of glucosamine and chondroitin that can be given whole or sprinkled easily onto their daily meal to help support their joints.
Finally, for dogs with more advanced arthritis, use PAW Osteosupport Joint Care Powder (in conjunction with vet-prescribed arthritis medications and PAW Cosequin DS Dog) to provide relief of joint pain and inflammation with a simple daily dose that can be given whole as a capsule or sprinkled onto food.
Read more: INFOGRAPHIC: Green-lipped mussel for pets
PAW Osteocare Joint Health Chews
With Glucosamine Sulfate & Chondroitin Sulfate, these tasty kangaroo chews provide everyday joint care, helping to improve joint function and health in younger and older dogs.
PAW Cosequin® DS Dog capsules
Containing a unique combination of Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Manganese and Vitamin C, which work synergistically to help maintain joint function in dogs.
PAW Ostesupport® Joint Care Powder for Dogs
A highly concentrated green lipped mussel powder that is clinically proven to provide relief from arthritic symptoms in a measured capsule dose.
PAW Osteosupport® Joint Care Powder for Cats
A highly concentrated green lipped mussel powder that is clinically proven to provide arthritis relief for cats.