Arthritis, osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease (DJD) are common inflammatory joint conditions. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling and a reduced range of motion.
What causes arthritis?
- Size & weight
- Trauma, injury, infection
- Activity: Some cats can get arthritic elbows from jumping, some dogs can get arthritic hips & backs from ball-chasing etc.
- Inflammatory, and gut permeability-increasing components of the diet (such as grains, starches, sugars, emulsifiers)
- Autoimmune conditions: The body produces antibodies against foreign proteins. The foreign proteins may be similar in structure to the proteins found in the joint capsule, and the body gets confused and attacks its own proteins.
How can be Arthritis be relieved?
Cartilage is made up of collagen, water and proteoglycans. For joints to repair, the body must be fuelled with the right building blocks. Our pets need to consume sulphur, free form amino acids, essential fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage maintenance and repair. These nutrients are readily available in a well-planned species-appropriate diet. There is substantial evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin (present in it’s natural form in a species-appropriate diet) effectively relieve arthritic pain and help the body recover from joint trauma.
Bone broth is an easily digestible, readily available source of beneficial nutrients. It contains collagen which helps lubricate joints, the anti-inflammatory amino acid proline to help build healthy cartilage, and glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin sulphate which have lubricating, cushioning and protective properties.
Consuming oily fish or fish oil supplements can also benefit arthritic dogs and cats. The essential fatty acids in these help to dampen the inflammatory response. Cats and dogs cannot utilise vegetable oil supplements (flax oil, evening primrose oil). They are designed to eat animals that have already converted these oils to useful substances. Raw rabbit, possum and chicken are high in usable essential fatty acids.
Always talk to your vet before stopping any prescription medications.