( NAPSI )— It ’ s never too early to take steps to make life easier for your pet for when he or she hits the golden years . Just as with people , proper diet , exercise and smart lifestyle decisions can delay some of the aging process and help your pet live a longer , healthier life .
That even holds true for one of the more common problems for aging pets — arthritis . Here are some steps you can take before your pet becomes a senior to help reduce the risk or lessen the severity of arthritis :
Evaluate your pet ’ s body condition — Too much weight on your pet puts him or her at risk for diabetes , heart disease and arthritis . Excess weight puts too much strain on your pet ’ s joints , causing cartilage to degenerate . If you can ’ t feel your pet ’ s ribs , your pet needs to go on a diet . Also watch how your pet moves and plays for any issues that may be developing . Work with a veterinarian or
holistic professional when you first spot problems .
Read the label — Dogs and cats are carnivores and need a healthy dose of protein in their diet . Read the labels of their food and look for actual protein sources — chicken , beef and fish — instead of byproducts . Rice and other grains can also help your pet pack on extra pounds . Beware of too many preservatives as well .
Get active — It ’ s very important to work on activities that keep your dog and cat moving . Walks , games of fetch and other activities keep your dog ’ s muscles toned and cut down on the risk of arthritis . It ’ s important to work play into your cat ’ s day as well to keep him or her moving , too .
An ounce of prevention — Running , agility and other active games are a great way to keep your pet in shape . However , make sure you aren ’ t pushing your dog to work out too hard and try to avoid activities that could put your dog at risk for bone or muscular injuries . These kinds of injuries make an animal more prone to certain types of arthritis when aging .
Start early on supplements — Nutritional supplements are a growing trend for pets these days . It helps to start your pets young on supplements that will help them rebuild cartilage before arthritis sets in . Look for products that provide glucosamine and chondroitin , such as Cosequin Joint Supplement and Cosequin Soft Chews for dogs and cats . Dasuquin Joint Supplements for dogs and cats provide a more advanced formula that helps rebuild your pet ’ s cartilage and lessen joint inflammation . Some of these products come in soft chews for dogs and a powder that can be sprinkled in food for cats .
Learn more at www . EntirelyPets . com .