Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to help ease the winter chills for your pet and keep their joints moving more freely until spring returns.
It’s important to keep pets warm and comfortable during winter. An easily accessible, well-padded bed is essential. For indoor dogs, keep the bed in a warm place away from cold draughts. For outdoor dogs, make sure their kennel is waterproof and protected against the wind. Both indoor and outdoor animals appreciate a pet coat for added warmth.
The more weight your pet is carrying, the heavier the load on their joints, which can make arthritis worse and speed up damage to the joint cartilage. So you might need to adjust your pet’s diet to watch their weight during winter when the nasty weather makes it harder to go outside. Regular gentle exercise helps your pet maintain a healthy weight, keeps their joints moving, and improves muscle tone. But take it easy – stiff joints often take time to warm up before they can move freely, so be aware of your pet’s limitations.
Depending on the severity of arthritis, your veterinarian may recommend anti-inflammatory tablets or special injections that help protect joint cartilage. Some anti-inflammatories can have significant side effects, so always follow your veterinarian’s instructions. If your pet’s joints become more painful during winter due to the cold, your vet may need to review their medications, so keep an eye on your pet for any signs of discomfort.
In addition to veterinarian-prescribed medications, supplementing your pet’s diet with ‘nutraceuticals’ can help support sore, inflamed joints.
