May is the end of Autumn and time to think about arthritis

This month is the start of the cooler time in our environment and over the next 4 months the days are going to get shorter and the nights are going to get colder. It is time to think about where you put the jumper and coats you put away last winter, it is time to think about putting a coat on the dog at night, its time to consider whether your animal is developing arthritis.

Arthritis is a natural occurring problem with both dogs and cats as they start to get older. It is normal for dogs and cats to develop arthritis as they enter their senior years. It occurs more in animals that have been very active in their younger years and it occurs more in animals that are overweight. BUT it occurs in nearly 85% of all dogs over the age of 10 years and nearly 80% of all cats over the age of 12 years.

Arthritis is painful and can be debilitating to the animal. BUT there are ways that the owner can assist their animal deal with the pain of arthritis. It is NOT necessary for our animals to become debilitated with arthritis.