Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Winter 2023

Help pets with arthritis in winter

14 Home & Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2023 Obviously, tooth brushing will be easier if you can get them used to it while they're still young and easily trained. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that tooth brushing isn't needed on M any products only work if used correctly. Different pets chew differently or consume treats at a different pace, certain products may not actually do anything for your pet's teeth. If your dog devours their dental chews in a few seconds, you can almost guarantee that their teeth haven't received any cleaning. Likewise, if your pet has a sore tooth and is only chewing on one side, half their mouth is going untouched. Most vets recommend a scale and polish at your local vet clinic once per year, and tooth brushing as the mainstay dental management procedure at home, with dental chews, meaty bones or a dental food only recommended as optional supplements to this. Brushing your pet's teeth will always be the gold standard of dental care. There are so many ways to make this easier for you and your pet. Instead of ruling it out completely because your pet doesn't like it, try to adapt the way you go about it to make it more enjoyable. Brushing your pet's teeth A rthritis is very common in animals as they age and there are ways you can help your pet to stay mobile and pain-free. Pets with arthritis will often show more subtle signs of joint discomfort, such as a hesitance to jump or climb stairs, stiffness when rising from rest, or sensitivity to handling. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as arthritis, is caused by wear and tear of cartilage and bone of the joints. It is estimated that up to one in five dogs over one year of age are affected, while almost two thirds of cats have osteoarthritis by the age of six. Animals are more likely to develop osteoarthritis with age, but it may occur in younger animals secondary to inherited diseases such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, or trauma, including cruciate ligament injuries. Regular gentle walking keeps joints healthy and moving. Being active without pushing dogs to exhaustion is critical in managing arthritis.

Modify your home to reduce further trauma to joints: • Raised water and feeding bowls. • Keeping claws as short as possible. • A coat for short haired pets. • Maintenance of a healthy slim body condition. • Carpet tiles prevent arthritic animals from slipping on floorboards or tiles. • Ramps or portable stairs can aid animals climbing into the car or onto the bed. • Keeping your pet warm and dry with extra supportive bedding that is not too high for them to get in and out of. • A sleeping location out of drafts and a coat for short-haired pets. • Litter trays with low sides are more manageable for arthritic cats. Pain relief Depending on your pet’s general health, there are pain relief options, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and healthy, young teeth or that you should wait until the teeth go yellow. Proper dental care isn't just about treating existing plaque and tartar; but rather prevention is key. Try a sleek design brush. Have you tried brushing your dog's teeth with a rubber finger brush? Typically these type of tooth brushes are designed to slip over your finger and have soft rubber bristles. A rubber body allows them to be flexible, non-painful and easy to manoeuvre, and they are very gentle on the gums. There is even a handy finger cloth if your pet is especially sensitive - however it doesn’t offer your finger the same level of protection! Check out handy dental wipes if this works better for you. Try a new flavour of toothpaste. There are so many different flavours of toothpaste available, including vanilla, chicken, beef, and even minty tooth-cleaning gel. It is important to use pet toothpaste not human toothpaste. If your pet can't be swayed by the taste of the toothpaste alone, try giving small treats along the way. Try to clean the teeth when they're sleepy, it can help to brush their teeth when they are

other joint-protective, anti-inflammatory, or alternative pain relief medications. For any older pet starting on long-term medication, it’s best for vets to perform general blood tests first – to screen for any pre-existing medical issues which could make certain medications unsafe for use. Joint health supplements As well as prescription medications, vets can discuss the use of pet-safe nutraceuticals, such as prescription diets, supplements containing high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids for a natural anti-inflammatory effect. Glucosamine, Glyde, 4cyte, chondroitin sulphate and green-lipped mussel have been shown to promote joint health and can reduce the progression of arthritis. These are good to add to their diet and often you can get good results if they are also on pain relief. Keep a close eye on your pet and if you notice any changes in the way they move around, talk to your vet.

all tuckered out after a long walk. For cats, you might like to try tooth brushing at a 'sleep' time of day (such as lunchtime) as they'll have less energy. Of course, every animal should have regular vet visits, but this is particularly important if your dental care at home is lacking. For some pet owners, particularly cat owners, it's perfectly acceptable to get a scale and polish procedure done at the vet every 6-12 months. Some pets even require a scale and polish regularly despite receiving regular tooth brushing.