Animal Pain Awareness
Recognizing Signals of Pain
Preventing Pain With Diet
Measures to Prevent Pain and Illness in Senior Pets
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Animal Pain Awareness
Published on October 30, 2023
One often-overlooked aspect crucial for the well-being of our pets is recognizing the signs of pain they exhibit. Equally significant is our knowledge of how to maintain their overall health through a proper diet, which aids in preserving robust joint health and alleviating discomfort for our beloved companions. In this blog, we delve into the topic of animal pain awareness and offer expert insights from Belinda Morrison, the founder of CB Rescue, a non-profit dog rescue organization in Calgary, Alberta.
Recognizing Signals of Pain
To safeguard your pet's well-being, it is essential to be attuned to their body language and behaviours. A telltale sign of distress is a significant change in your dog's personality. When your furry companion loses interest in their favourite activities or experiences a loss of appetite, it's time to consult a veterinarian, as these could be indicators of pain or discomfort.
Belinda emphasizes the significance of observing these behavioural changes: "Sometimes we may not see the illness itself, but we observe changes in our dogs. They cannot communicate through words, so pay attention to their personality—it reveals everything. If you notice a combination of symptoms, it's a clear sign that a vet visit is warranted."
Preventing Pain With Diet
Belinda also suggests avoiding kibble as it often contains high levels of carbohydrates, synthetic additives, hormones, and non-organic ingredients. "Feeding kibble can trigger inflammation, which may manifest in various forms such as arthritis, diabetes, stroke, and cancer," Belinda says. At Smack Pet Food, we intentionally exclude ingredients commonly found in kibble diets that are known to be inflammatory to gut and joint health. These ingredients are often chosen for their cost-effectiveness, such as corn gluten meal, rendered animal meals from questionable sources, legumes, grains, or other starches.
At Smack Pet Food, we meticulously select ingredients that support joint health. When it comes to enhancing bone and joint health in dogs, there's nothing better than bone, bone marrow, and cartilage from healthy animal and fish sources. In all of our recipes, we use bone, joints and cartilage instead of relying on supplemental calcium carbonate.
We also use specific fruits and vegetables to help reduce inflammation. For example, pineapple is featured in our Rockin' Rockfish, Caribbean-Salmon Fusion, and Chunky Chicken recipes. Pineapple contains bromelain, a potent anti-inflammatory enzyme widely available as a supplement and recognized for its role in improving protein digestion. Healthy digestion and reduced inflammation contribute to better joint health, reduced pain, and overall vitality. Coconut, found in Rockin' Rockfish and Caribbean-Salmon Fusion, is another well-known anti-inflammatory.
Measures to Prevent Pain and Illness in Senior Pets
This section is dedicated to our beloved senior pets, who, like humans, experience a decline in agility, mobility, and activity levels. It's crucial to create a supportive home environment to aid them. For instance, providing stairs to help your pet get on and off the bed or couch can prevent injuries and fractures.
Regular exercise is paramount for senior pets. Daily walks or gentle jogs can help them stay active and, if they have underlying health conditions, prevent them from worsening. As Belinda concurs, "Taking your arthritic dog for a walk is crucial. Just like humans, they'll lose it if they don't move."
Animal pain awareness is an often underestimated aspect of pet care. We can ensure their well-being and happiness by recognizing the signs of pain, making dietary improvements, and providing a suitable environment for senior pets. Remember, our pets bring us their best moments, so let's reciprocate by taking the necessary steps to keep them healthy and pain-free throughout their lives.
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