"It is a matter to gain the affection of a cat. He is a philosophical animal, tenacious of his own habits, fond of order and neatness, and disinclined to extravagant sentiment. He will be your friend, if he finds you worthy of friendship, but not your slave."

- Theophile Gautier

Caring For Your Pet Suffering From Arthritis

Well-trained pets easily react to the command of their masters. This is very true in the case of dogs. A simple wave of the hand or a single word can put a dog into action. It would fetch, sit, stand, roll over, or jump to heed their owner's command. For cats, you can always count on their instinct and intelligence. If they are gone for some time, you really need not be worried - because they can find their way back home without help from anybody.

However, it is not easy for pets to convey things to their owners as much as their owners can speak to them. This is the reason why a lot of pets suffer unnecessarily from pains, diseases, and similar health problems. They can't precisely tell their masters what they are feeling or where exactly the hurt comes from.

What are the signs of pet arthritis?

Arthritis in animals is generally the same as arthritis in humans. In both instances, the main problem is the joints. Arthritis is a disease that is brought upon by the wear and tear the cartilages sustain over time. Everyday physical activities add much to this. Arthritis is common in pets because they like to run around, jump, and play. They involve themselves with too many physical activities to the point that their joints become over used. Age is a factor as well. Arthritis is quite common in older dogs and other pets.

If your pet leads an active lifestyle, it is more prone to developing arthritis over time. Cats like to jump from heights. Dogs can run around the house all day. And if your pet that used to be very energetic suddenly becomes lazy and doesn't want to move, that could be a sign that they are suffering from arthritis. The same if true if they get moody when they are tapped, embraced, or fondled.

1: Go to a veterinarian

While the above stated signs are good indications, they could be wrong too. Pets take a retreat from their usual activities every now and then. Therefore, it is best that you consult with an animal health expert about it.
Know if your pet has arthritis for sure. Visit a vet and subject your pet for a full check-up. This would not only reveal if your pet has arthritis or not. You would also know if it suffers from any other health conditions you should be concerned about. If and when your pet has arthritis, the vet can accurately prescribe the right treatment for the disease. There are certain types of arthritis that requires surgery.

2: Treat the disease

If surgery is not necessary, veterinarians usually prescribe NSAIDs. NSAID stands for Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. These are the same drugs humans take for arthritis, more or less. But sometimes, taking drugs isn't enough. Certain changes in the pet's lifestyle may be required as well. Overweight cats and dogs need to reduce their food intake so that they won't damage their bones. As for drugs, glucosamine supplements can be given to pets with arthritis to help ease their condition. And example of such supplement is Flexicose Liquid Glucosamine.

This glucosamine supplement is known to contain a good mix of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. These two components help in relieving pains. In fact, they work quicker than regular painkillers available in the market today. And they don't only address the pains associated with arthritis. They also repair all damaged cartilages to eventually reverse the symptoms of the disease. Flexicose Glucosamine in liquid form works best because the body can absorb it easily.

3: Change your pet's environment and lifestyle.

No disease is healed instantly, even with the best and most expensive treatment therapy around. To make therapies work, you have to do your share. To ensure your pet won't suffer any more pain from arthritis, make sure it lives in an accident-free environment. The idea is the same as childproofing your homes. Simple things like making sure the floor is not slippery could help a lot.