In Australia, cats and dogs are experiencing worsened symptoms of arthritis as a direct result of the freezing temperatures that have prompted severe weather warnings.

Vets from Perth to Sydney are reporting an increase in case numbers compared to the summer months.

Dr Naomi Boyd, a Sports Medicine Veterinarian and Physiotherapist from the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, said that every year around this time in June, she gets an influx of owners who come in with their dogs and cats.

"They're raising questions about their pets' stiffness in the morning, their unwillingness to walk as far, and new injuries that appear, among other things," she said, adding, "I think you could see an uptick in arthritis cases across the population of about 50 per cent."

As the weather gets colder, vets warn pet owners to watch for arthritis. Credit: Getty.​

Arthritis is a very common condition that can affect as many as one in three cats and one in four dogs, according to research conducted by Vetwest.

It is a degenerative joint disease that affects both animals and humans and is caused by the deterioration and weakening of cartilage at the joints between bones.

It is the result of ongoing wear and tear, as well as instability in the joints, and it can affect not only the mobility of an animal but also their quality of life.

"They can't just sit around and watch TV or Netflix; they have to be able to be silly and run," Dr Boyd went on to say.

"If a dog or cat is unable to move freely, you are robbing them of one of their primary sources of joy. As a result, both movement and pain management is extremely important."

The warning signs of arthritis are being brought to the attention of pet owners across the nation, who are being urged to keep a vigilant eye out for them.

Dr Leigh Davidson of Your Vet Online mentioned that many of the pets people bring to her have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.

"You may notice that they are a little slower to get moving after lying down in one spot for a while, especially if they are cold, and they may appear lame, holding a leg up and not appearing as sprightly as usual," she added.

She pointed out that if you ever notice that your pets seem stiff or are unable to walk in the morning, but by evening they appear much freer, this is a sign that they may be suffering from arthritis and should be checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pet owners are told to make sure their pets have a warm, comfortable place to sleep. Credit: Getty.​

Once your vet confirms that your pet has arthritis, there are many ways to treat it that can help your pet age with grace and feel more limber and active well into its golden years.

Heat therapy: There are many ways to help your pet get through the winter. Some of the most common things to buy are sweaters and heated pet beds. There are heating pads on the market that are made just for dogs. They have fillings that are safe for pets and Velcro straps to keep the pad on the dog's hip.

Dr Davidson suggests getting your pets a super warm and cosy bed, putting a coat on them, and using a low-level electric blanket or hot water bottles to provide extra warmth at night.

Keep them moving: No matter what the weather is like, your pet with arthritis needs exercise all winter long to keep their joints moving and lubricated. Keep it easy and don't do too much: take them for easy walks several times a day.

If the cold weather is a problem, walk around your house with them instead.

Manage your pet's weight: People and their furry best friends tend to move a little less and eat a little more in winter. Joint pain and stiffness are worse when carrying a few extra kilos, so low-impact exercise such as walking combined with a diet is extremely beneficial to arthritic pets.

Give your pet a lift: Pain in their joints makes it hard for pets to get on the bed to cuddle or into the car to go on an adventure. Dog ramps and stairs can help your dog get to the places he or she likes to go.

Arthritis has many signs, and they are often small and hard to notice until the disease is well along. Pets with arthritis do not typically cry out in pain, leading many people to believe that their aged pet is "just slowing down" rather than having a medical problem that can be treated.

With your veterinarian's help and your own dedication, you can do a lot to improve your arthritic pet's quality of life! We hope you and your pets stay safe and warm this winter, folks!

Here are some additional useful pointers that can assist you in providing your dog with some relief from arthritis in the comfort of your own home.

Credit: Pet Circle.​

 

[Ricci]

My dogs won't have a bar of coats or jumpers, hate going out in the cold or rain and are really fair weather dogs!! At 11 and 9 I am very aware of the need to keep them warm and just the other day noticed the 11 year old was a bit stiff. I'm now in the market for a self heating pad for their beds.

 

[Elbe]

There is a safe, and economical to run, electric heating pad which vet clinics have been using for decades .... it called a Passwell Cosy Heat Pad. They retail for around $100 and last forever. We've got several pads which are more than 20 years old now and in constant use for sick, injured & old animals. These pads are pet safe soft pvc and can be used in cages, beds, terrariums, even under bird cages to keep the temperature steady indefinitely. They are not a specialist item & can be purchased at most pet suppliers like petbarn, pet stock etc. There are other pads available but we've not found them as reliable or handy. Even though one of our oldest cats is a destructive old beast he has never managed to damage his mat which is simply under a blanket in his pet bed - he won't share his warm bed with anyone else though

 

[krimdad]

My dog was recently diagnosed with arthritis and this article is very informative. I have a labrador who will turn 10 in 2 months and for the last few months he didn’t enjoy going on walks as much as he used to, especially in the morning. At first I just thought he was lazy, but after a while I noticed symptoms of his discomfort. I took him to the vet and he gave me advice similar to the information from this article. My dog enjoys heat therapy and also takes all his medicine. I also read about the positive effects of CBD oils for dog arthritis, as it helps them manage the pain and helps their immune system. I found different types of CBD oils on www.orlandomagazine.com/best-cbd-oil-for-dogs and I hope my dog will feel better soon.