Go beyond common joint health triggers and discover hidden everyday things that could be aggravating your dog’s or cat’s mobility!
Mobility issues in companion animals are common, but there are many everyday triggers that often get left out of the discussion. Slippery floors, getting into cars, cold sleep areas, and many more things can trigger pain and discomfort. To keep your fur baby happy, healthy, and pain-free, discover these 8 often overlooked joint health triggers and steps you can take to improve mobility and comfort.
1. Slippery Surfaces
Slippery surfaces like hardwood or tile reduce traction, forcing an animal to compensate with awkward movements that strain muscles and joints or cause injury. If you do have slippery floors, consider area rugs or non-slip mats.
2. Not Warming Up Before Exercising
Dogs, cats, and humans benefit from easing into activity, especially after a long period of rest. Warming up before exercise, training, and vigorous play can reduce stress on joints and soft tissues and lower your dog’s or cat’s risk of strains and injuries.
3. Everyday Activities
Does your animal love to run and play hard every day? Maybe they run up and down the stairs quickly? How about pulling on the leash? These are normal activities for many dogs and cats, but they can put strain on joints and affect mobility, especially if they’re repeated regularly.
4. High Jumps
The impact from jumping on and off/into and out of high places—like beds, couches, and vehicles—comes with the risk of injury and can cause joint and soft tissue strain.
5. Wrong Equipment
Equipment also matters when it comes to protecting your dog’s or cat’s joints. For example, poorly fitted harnesses can restrict natural movement, alter gait, and create uneven pressure on the body. What’s more, the wrong type of collar/harness can encourage pulling, putting repetitive stress on the neck, shoulders, and front limbs.
6. Sleeping Area Temperature
Cold sleeping areas can also be a joint health trigger because hard, chilly floors may increase stiffness. Instead, your dog or cat needs a warm area for sleeping and a soft, supportive bed—including in a crate.
7. Overgrown Nails
When your animal’s nails are too long, it changes their paw alignment and weight distribution, increasing injury risk, muscle tension, and strain on the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and hips.
8. Inconsistent Activity Levels
Do you take it easy during the week and then go hard on weekends? During periods of inactivity, dogs and cats can lose muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance, increasing the risk of strain or injury. Rather, it’s best to maintain a regular exercise routine throughout the week.
Discover Vet-Formulated Vet Worthy Products for Joints
Avoiding joint health triggers plus adding mobility supplements can make life easier and more comfortable for dogs and cats. Vet Worthy’s veterinarian-formulated joint support products feature glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and omega-3 fatty acids to help prevent and manage joint issues, supporting cartilage, flexibility, and mobility while easing stiffness and discomfort. You’ll see visible improvements in activity and playfulness in growing dogs and cats, seniors, active animals, and breeds predisposed to joint issues.
Get your best friend back today with affordable, effective, veterinarian-formulated joint health supplements from Vet Worthy. Available in a variety of delivery methods, including soft chews, chewable tablets, and paw gels.
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The post 8 Overlooked Joint Health Triggers Hiding in Daily Life appeared first on Animal Wellness Magazine.
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