Make the exercise as positive an experience as possible by including lots of petting and affection before and after, or perhaps a healthy treat afterward. Exercise has a flip side for arthritis patients, however. While a little moderate exercise is vital to your pet's health, exercise that is too strenuous can cause damage to their joints. You may have to keep a close eye on your pet to prevent her from overexerting and injuring herself, particularly if she has always been used to a lot of activity. Your pet will also benefit from a healthy diet and weight management.
Obesity makes arthritis hard to manage.
It increases the stress on an animal's joints and makes it harder for them to move. Arthritis patients do well on high quality diets, fed in controlled portions, which maintain their weight at a healthy level. If you can't feel your pet's ribs easily, consult your veterinarian about dietary and exercise management to bring her weight down to normal. There are a lot of options for coping with a pet with arthritis, and sometimes they can be overwhelming. Your closest ally in your battle against the disease is your family veterinarian.