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Is it independent and low maintenance, or loyal and energetic? It’s the age-old cat person vs dog person question. We may have to agree to disagree on that question, but one thing we can all agree on is that our pets are part of our family, and it’s awful to see them suffering.
With our fur-friends it’s especially hard when they’re sick or in pain because they can’t tell us precisely what’s wrong. But when it’s arthritis, there’s no hiding the symptoms. They may be lethargic and unwilling to move, get up slowly and unsteadily after a nap, less flexible and playful than they used to be, may even show obvious signs of discomfort like limping.
Sound a lot like some humans you know? It’s true. Cats and dogs can both develop osteoarthritis and have symptoms like ours. Similar enough to manage your pet’s arthritis with collagen? The short answer is, yes!
Collagen can help manage your cat’s and dog’s arthritis symptoms just like it can help you manage yours.
Collagen is the “glue” that holds our pets’ bodies together, same as ours. It is critical for support of healthy skin, teeth, nails, fur, joints, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Like humans, dogs and cats experience an age-related slowdown of collagen production and resulting breakdown of connective tissues. And, like humans, that can cause:
The biggest difference might be that we can’t see wrinkles on our pets! However, we can see dry, itchy skin, loss of mobility from stiff joints, and lameness due to painful joints.
If your pet is in obvious pain, your pet’s veterinarian might prescribe painkillers or steroids to treat the discomfort. There are also alternative therapies that might help, including:
There are a number of pet collagens on the market which help to manage your pet’s arthritis but collagen can also support your pet’s bone density, dental health as well as skin and fur.
Studies in the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health ( study ) followed a large group of Labrador dogs, a breed prone to elbow dysplasia, and assessed them at specific age intervals. Some dogs were given a supplement that included collagen, others were not. The dogs that were treated with the supplement had significantly fewer dysplasia symptoms than the dogs that were not.
Others have reported similar benefits for cats, including improved flexibility and pain reduction in achy joints.
The easiest way is to add collagen to your pet’s food or even baked into healthy home-made treats (search for banana and peanut butter pet treats). The most important step, however, is to speak with your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication or supplement. The appropriate collagen dosage depends on factors like your pet’s health status and weight. Your veterinarian can recommend the right dose for your pet to keep her as healthy and active as possible - so you can grow older together.
