Joints & Mobility

How to keep your pet on the move

•  Have you noticed that your once ‘springy’ springer spaniel trailing behind you on a walk?

• Perhaps your once acrobatic cat is no longer keen to even hop up onto the worktop for their supper?

• Has your loyal companion started to sleep downstairs?

These can all be signs that your beloved pooch or kitty is experiencing discomfort or pain from joint disease. 

The once easy jump up onto the sofa can be just too painful and climbing up the stairs can leave them feeling like they have scaled Mount Everest.  Over your pet’s lifetime, their joints will be subject to normal wear and tear leading to degenerative joint changes such as arthritis. Excess bodyweight or abnormal joints or a combination of both can also lead to degenerative changes to the joints and difficulty moving.

How can I help keep my pet comfortable?

1. Joint supplements* -  these are rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs), glucosamine and chondroitin can help to keep your pet comfortable and mobile into their twilight years.   Remember your pet does not have to be old to benefit from joint supplements, as they can also be beneficial to cats and dogs that have development joint conditions (e.g hip or elbow dysplasia) or who have undergone any joint surgery (e.g. a cruciate ligament repair).  

2. Bedding - make sure they have a nice thick comfy bed to relax in and rest any sore joints.  Try the 'bed test' - kneel on your pet's bed, if you can feel the floor then it's not thick enough and you need to get a new one - check out our range of ortho beds and memory foam mattresses!

3. Ramps - using ramps over steps in the home or garden can make it a lot easier for your pet and are a great way to help them get into and out of the car - lifting a labrador into the car is no easy feat!

4. Pain Relief  -  your vet will be able to prescribe medication that is safe to use on your pet and will help to keep them free from joint pain and up to their usual mischief!

*It's important to remember that joint supplements are not a replacement for any pain relief prescribed by your vet and are designed to be an additional therapy.