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Animal Health > Arthritis in Pets can be Helped with Nutrition
Author: Paula Hunt
Perhaps
you've noticed that Rover's gotten a
little stiff in the hind legs or that
Spunky is having trouble jumping in
and out of her litter box. These
problems may be more serious than you
think. Difficulty performing routine
movements and reduced mobility may be
indications that your pet is
suffering from arthritis.
This
progressively degenerative joint
disease usually affects larger breeds
of dogs, like retrievers, but it can
also occur in cats. The most common
form, degenerative osteoarthritis, is
characterized by the erosion of the
joints' normally smooth cartilage
surfaces. Rough new surfaces develop
in their place and cause joint pain
and inflammation.
Arthritis
can stem from a variety of factors
including poor diet, genetics, aging
and even Lyme disease. Since many
other conditions, from heart disease
to anemia, produce similar symptoms,
have your veterinarian diagnose the
condition with an X-ray. The good
news is, whether you're looking to
prevent the onset of arthritis or
alleviate the symptoms, there are
plenty of natural remedies to turn
to.
"Nutrition
is the most important thing you can
do to prevent your pet from
developing arthritis," says
Gerald Buchoff, a holistic veterinary
practitioner in North Bergen, N.J.
Most canned and dry commercial pet
foods lack the minerals needed for
maintaining ideal health, so Buchoff
recommends adding a supplement to
your pet's diet that contains
digestive enzymes, omega-3 fatty
acids and antioxidants.
"Digestive enzymes help the body
break down food more completely and
thereby unlock the essential
nutrients," he explains.
"Antioxidants act as soldiers
that patrol the body for the free
radicals that are by-products of
inflammatory processes such as
arthritis. And essential fatty acids,
like omega-3, cannot be made by the
body but have been shown to aid in
the prevention of arthritis."
If
your animal is already symptomatic,
John Heinerman Ph.D., author of
Natural Pet Cures: Dog & Cat Care
the Natural Way (Prentice Hall Press,
1998), suggests giving him
mineral-rich anti-inflammatories like
alfalfa and yucca. Add them in
powdered form to food once a day (1/4
teaspoon [tsp.] each for cats, 1/2 to
1 tsp. for dogs). He also recommends
cold-pressed flaxseed oil (1 tsp. for
cats, 1 tablespoon for dogs) to
reduce swelling.
Physical
therapies, such as acupuncture,
Shiatsu and chiropractic, can also
relieve arthritic pain when performed
by a licensed practitioner. According
to Buchoff, chiropractic adjustments
every six months, especially for
large animals, can halt the onset of
arthritis. Pain and stiffness can
also be reduced by giving a gentle
daily massage with your thumbs and
fingertips on the pet's affected
joints.
Exercise
is also important for prevention and
symptom management. It helps maintain
muscle strength, which enhances joint
support, and keeps off extra weight
that can put pressure on the joints.
(Take your dog for a walk or have a
play session with your cat using a
ball or pull toy.)
Finally,
be sure to give your pet a warm, dry
bed that's far away from
joint-stiffening drafts.
Or--something you'll both enjoy--just
give him a leg up into your own bed.
For
any dog or cat suffering from
arthritis, supplementing their diet
with high quality supplements is the first step in
providing adequate care and relief of their condition.
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