Hydrotherapy or water therapy is great way to provide a low impact exercise for your dog, with or without joint pain. For dogs with joint pain and arthritis, regular exercise like running or walking can be painful due to the amount of weight that your dog’s joints must support. Exercise in a pool, a lake or the ocean can be a great alternative since the buoyancy of the water takes much of the strain off the joints that is normally caused by their body weight. Swimming can help your pet with range of motion, strengthening, endurance and general health.

Exercise has been proven to help pets by reducing joint pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility, muscle strength, cardiac fitness and endurance. It can also help with weight reduction which can be a cause of some joint pain.

Talk to your veterinarian if you think your pet may benefit from this type of exercise. Hydro therapy may not be an option for dogs that have a fear of water. It is also not recommended for dogs with certain fractures and open wounds.

Humans aren’t the only ones who have to deal with Arthritis. Dogs and cats are both susceptible to it as they age. Arthritis is sometimes caused by infection of the joint, but most likely it’s just due to wear and tear throughout the years. Unfortunately, pets can’t explain their symptoms, which can make it hard to diagnose in the beginning. You may notice some changes in your pet’s behavior but be unsure of the cause. Always seek the advice of your Veterinarian in case these symptoms are being caused by a different disease or infection that requires immediate treatment.

So here’s some signs to watch for and how to manage your cat’s or dog’s Arthritis pain.

Warning Signs that your Pet could have Arthritis:

• Slowed movement
• Joints are swollen or red
• Stiffness and trouble getting up from a sitting/lying position
• Pain (Flinching from petting or handling)
• Some limping
• Inability to climb stairs
• Hard time getting in and out of the litter-box

How to Treat & Manage:

• Watch your pet’s weight - Extra weight produces strain on joints, just like it does in humans. By managing your pet’s diet and lower its weight you can help the amount of stress on the joints. It can also help with combating other diseases like heart disease or diabetes.
• Massage - Massage helps increase blood flow in the muscles and that can be good for sore joints.
• Warmth and Comfort - Cold temperatures and dampness can intensify arthritis pain. Make sure your cat or dog has a warm, soft bed and stays inside while it rains or snows.
• Medicine - See your vet in case the joint pain is due to infection, in that case they may prescribe steroids or antibiotics. Caution aspirin and acetimetaphin can be dangerous for cats and some dogs with stomach problems, so don’t self-prescribe. 
• Supplements - Natural supplements are a good option for cats or dogs with sensitive stomachs or who don’t react well to harsh medications.
• Exercise - You may assume that exercise will further strain the joints but it can actually help build muscles and strengthen the areas around the joint, therefore lessening the pain. It can be very challenging to get a cat exercise if they are in pain. Try a walk on a leash, even for a cat, introduce a new toy and play with your dog or cat.

Again, always seek the advice of your Veterinarian in case these symptoms are being caused by a different disease or infection that requires immediate treatment.

FlexPet will be giving away free samples of our all natural joint supplement for the #Pawpawty. To get free samples and win a chance at a three month supply leave a comment below. We’ll accept entries from April 1st through April 6th at noon. Then we’ll announce the winner of the three month supply.

I’m Tiny, the FlexPet CCO, Chief Canine Officer and I love a good pawty for a good cause. So after you enter your comment below don’t forget to donate a dollar or two animals in distress at @RomeotheCat’s blog

For more info on FlexPet click here.

Enjoy the #Pawpawty!