As your dog or cat grows older, arthritis is one of the conditions that may start to afflict your pet. This can occur when weak joints cause their bones to grind down the cartilage. When there is little to nothing left of the cartilage, this causes bone to meet bone unprotected. This friction can lead to severe inflammation and pain. As arthritis, or degenerative joint disease, can be a common condition for pets, especially aging pets, it is important for owners to understand how this condition manifests itself, and what can be done about it.

If you think your pet might already have joint problems, then if for any reason your pet is acting strangely, it is a good idea to call a veterinarian as soon as possible. The easiest symptom to recognize is that of your pet limping. But perhaps your pet has not reached this stage yet. Another sign of arthritis can be a slow-moving pet, such as a once enthusiastic and energetic dog that now chooses to stay put. For a cat, symptoms might look different. A signal of arthritis in cats can look like their going outside the litter box, because they are unable to move inside it without pain. A cat with arthritis might spend time grooming one site way more than anywhere else. This could point to arthritis at that point of attention.

There are also particular breeds that are at risk for arthritis. This includes big dog breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labrador retrievers. It can be in their genes, unfortunately, especially arthritis at the elbows and hips. Aware of this risk, you can make smart nutrition choices, even when your pet is a puppy. You want to ensure that your puppy is eating a balanced diet, which can promote healthy growth. If your puppy grows too rapidly, then this can cause oddly formed joints, increasing the risk for degenerative joint disease.

The good news is, if your pet has arthritis, there are steps you can take to help him or her out. There are also ways to give your pet the best chances of avoiding this condition in the first place. One of the biggest helps you can give your pets is to help them maintain a healthy weight. If you think your pet might be overweight, or if you need advice on helping your dog or cat lose weight, then a veterinarian can help you with these concerns.

If your pet already has problems with mobility, then there are diets that can help ease discomfort and pain. Therapeutic foods that contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids can be beneficial to pets that suffer from pain and inflammation. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate might be recommended by your veterinarian. These supplements can promote joint health, protect cartilage and restore injured cartilage. This diet is something that can be hard to get right, however, as balance is of the essence. If the diet is imbalanced, this can cause your pet to gain weight, worsening the condition. That is why it can be invaluable to consult your veterinarian, and to find specific foods that are meant to be therapeutic. There are therapeutic foods out there that are meant to specifically target arthritis, and they have restricted calories accordingly.

If in spite of diet your pet's pain is still too severe, you might want to ask your vet about getting pain medicine. Ideally, however, a proper diet and healthy weight will treat arthritis, or prevent its onset altogether. With the help of your vet, you can come up with a plan of action to ensure that your pet has a healthy future.