How Do You Make Your Home Comfortable for an Arthritic Pet?

Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Fumipets

Arthritic Pets

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Perhaps you’ve noticed that your older dog is starting to walk slowly and stiffly and cover less ground than before. At times, your pooch may also look reluctant to climb up or down the stairs. Maybe your older cat appears more tired than usual and has started favoring one leg over the other. These, in addition to irritability, difficulty moving, swollen or hot joints, and excessive licking, chewing, and biting of a body part, are all common symptoms of arthritis in pets.

Unfortunately, arthritis can’t be cured. Once the veterinarian confirms the presence of the disease, the only thing you can do is manage the pain and symptoms of your feline or canine companion.

Despite their condition, though, arthritic pets can still enjoy a good quality of life in the environment that they are used to. That said, this will require a little bit of adjustment on your part. As a pet owner, you can do the following to turn your home into a safe and relatively comfortable place for your arthritic pet:

 

Invest in a Low and Supportive Pet Bed

An arthritic cat or dog with stiff joints might find it quite a challenge to hop onto a high bed on days when the symptoms of the condition can be especially apparent. You can prepare for these days by switching to low and supportive pet beds that your dog or cat will find to be comfortable.

Your dogs will likely feel relieved by the presence of jumbo stuffed dog beds in your house, and they’ll be more than ready to amble to the bed’s direction whenever they need to rest a bit. Your cats, on the other hand, might appreciate the presence of a memory foam bed on their sunbathing spot so they can soak in the sun’s rays comfortably.

 

Elevate Your Pets’ Feeding and Water Bowls

On some days, arthritis can make it a challenge for pets to move their joints and finely adjust their positions. This can be a problem when your pets are eating or drinking from bowls that are positioned too low, as your dog or cat may experience neck pain from bending their necks for extended periods.

To prevent this, use raised food and water bowls. That way, your animal companion can eat or drink without having to worry about being in pain.

 

Make Your Pets’ Toilet Area More Accessible

Arthritis can make even the most basic of activities, like peeing or pooping, a painful task. This is especially true if your pets need to do some special or physically taxing maneuvers just to access their toilet area.

If you’re caring for an arthritic cat, put their litter box in an accessible space so that they can go anytime they need to, arthritis flare-up or not. You might also need to make some adjustments if your old pup needs to squeeze through a low dog door just to get out of your house and do their business. Perhaps you can install a taller and narrower dog door so your pet won’t have a hard time answering quickly when nature calls.

 

Invest in Non-Slip Flooring and Area Rugs

Slippery floors that are made of wood or tiles can be a challenge to navigate for arthritic pets, especially dogs. You can make it much easier and safer for your pet to walk around your house by installing non-slip flooring. It’s also an option to install a large area rug if modifying the floor is not in the cards.

In addition to the floor, you can also look at the stairs to see if the flooring used in this fixture makes your pet prone to slipping or falling. To make it safer, you can add non-slip stair treads to each step.

 

Be Mindful of the Indoor Temperature

The cold can be cruel to arthritic joints. During the cold months, give your pets a warm place to stay. You can do this by installing a heating pad under their beds and keeping their beds away from areas that have cold drafts. If it’s raining, make sure to dry your pets thoroughly as they come inside your home. This way, they’re less likely to feel cold indoors.

 

Think About Installing Ramps and Stairs

If you allow your pet on the sofa or on your bed and it’s becoming more difficult for them to reach these high places, you can install ramps and stairs to make the task easier. These implements will help them reach their favorite spot and cuddle with you without straining their arthritic joints.

Modifying your home so that it’s friendlier to your aging pet’s arthritic joints is just one aspect of safeguarding your pet’s health and comfort. It’s also a must for you to work together with a veterinarian you trust and to find the best combination of medications and therapies to control your pet’s condition. Your pet’s nutrition and exercise level may also need to be changed considering the symptoms of the disease and its progression. With these consistent and careful efforts, you can help your dog or cat be in the best form for as long as possible.

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