Is your beloved canine companion getting a little older, moving a little slower and more painfully? Chances are that they may be suffering from arthritis.

Just like arthritis in humans, your pets can and do suffer from this painful and often degenerative joint disease.

A common type of pet arthritis is osteoarthritis. This disease slowly progresses due to cartilage destruction. As cartilage continues to break down, the bones loses its ability to absorb impact so they start grinding against each other causing the pet pain. The bones will also become inflamed. Osteoarthritis, in both pets and humans, reduces flexibility and mobility.

Another common pet arthritis is degenerative joint disease in pets, which is very similar to osteoarthritis. Pets with this disease suffer from the breakdown of parts of its joint, typically concentrated on the cartilage. The pet may also experience periodic inflammation.

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Acupressure, related to acupuncture, has been used to thousands of years with amazing result on people, so why not on pets? Scientific studies have shown that pressure on specific point of the body release brain chemicals, endorphins that ease pain.

There is actually a mapping of the acupressure point for dogs and cats.  Most acupressure points are located in depressions between muscles and bones. When you pet your cat or dog, feel for depressions in the tissue; this is likely an acupressure point. You may detect subtle changes in temperature over these areas. A hot point often indicates something acute, such as a muscle spasm. Acupressure is very safe! Even if you do not press on the exact point, coming close to it will provide some relief, and definitely you will do no harm.

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According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, more than 63 percent of U.S. households have pets; this includes some 73 million dogs and 90 million cats. Americans spend a fortune on their pets, almost $40 billion in 2006 alone, of which more than $9 billion was for veterinary care.

And just how much of that veterinary care was really necessary?

In recent years, natural health care has gained popularity for many reasons, the high cost of medical care and the question of the necessity and effectiveness of many of the treatments and medications being just a couple. So why aren’t more people looking into this venture for their beloved pets? Perhaps because it is so highly discouraged by veterinarians?

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