Kramer mostly lives his life as a normal cat, but he does require some protection from staircases and other precarious places where his falls could be dangerous. To pet owners, it can seem debilitating, as it can cause dogs pain and keep them depressed and inactive. Arthritis does not have to mean a dog has to live in pain, however. It is a good example of a condition where a few small adaptations from owners can allow pets with special needs to live full lives. Family members can help protect arthritic dogs from injury by providing ramps for the pets to get in and out of cars and on and off furniture.
Owners can carry small dogs in their arms or in backpacks when going on long walks.
Mild exercise can keep animals' joints loose, though owners should be careful not to overexert their dogs. Finally, nutritional supplements and medication can keep dogs' joints in shape and control pain. None of these lifestyle modifications are very serious or difficult, and they can help a dog with arthritis live a relatively active life. Special sense pets Pets that lose their sight or hearing can adapt much more easily than people, but they need to live in an environment that has been carefully modified. Blind animals, for example, need to be protected against hazards they cannot see.