Arthritis is a common problem for cats, affecting around one in five felines at some point in their lives.
While arthritis cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively with the right arthritis treatment for cats. There are many different treatments available, from over-the-counter medications to prescription drugs and even surgery.
So how do you know which is the best arthritis treatment for your cat? We’ll discuss the different options available to you and help you decide what is best for your feline friend.
Plus, we’re taking a look at common symptoms of arthritis, causes, such as old age, and pain management using a range of effective treatments so your cat can live a comfortable life.
Arthritis is a degenerative condition that is common in older cats and is a form of joint disease. This means that the cartilage that cushions joints becomes worn down and eventually disappears.
Arthritis is a very common condition in older cats, usually appearing after the age of 10; however, it can affect cats of any age, especially after they have had an injury related to joints or movement.
The most common cause of arthritis in cats is old age. However, other causes include injury, obesity, and genetics. Let’s look at these in more detail.
Age is a major risk factor for cats developing arthritis. Signs of an ageing cat suffering from arthritis include decreased mobility, stiffness when rising from a resting position, sleeping more and a general lack of enthusiasm for activities like playtime.
If your cat has sustained an injury, such as a fracture to a joint, it can sometimes lead to arthritis. Healthy joints are able to move bones past each other smoothly but when they become damaged as a result of an injury; this can cause bones to begin rubbing together, leading to pain and further damage to the joints.
Excess weight can put a great deal of strain on your cat's joints. This can lead to degenerative arthritis in overweight cats even before they reach middle age. Choosing the right cat food and even putting your cat on a special diet reduce their chances of getting obesity and, by association, arthritis.
Certain breeds of cats are more likely to develop joint disease. Persians, Himalayans, and Maine Coons are particularly susceptible to joint problems.
If you have one of these cats, it is important to keep an eye on their joints and movement from a young age to catch arthritis in the early stages.
The most common symptom of arthritis in cats is stiffness when walking and sore joints. However, other symptoms include difficulty going up and down stairs as well as lameness.
Stiffness when walking is a common symptom of arthritis in cats. It can feel like your kitty is moving more slowly and with less grace than usual. This stiffness can become more evident when the weather is colder, as the muscles and joints are less flexible.
Sore joints are another common symptom of arthritis. Your cat may meow more often when they are touched, particularly around their joints. They may also be reluctant to climb up onto high places, such as cat trees or even the sofa, because they may be in pain when they come down again.
If your cat is suffering from arthritis, they may have trouble climbing up and down the stairs as well as other places, such as chairs, windowsills, sofas, and beds. This can lead to accidents, such as falling off chairs or other high places as a result of less movement in their joints.
Lameness is a common symptom of arthritis, especially in the hind legs. So if your cat has a limp, especially on one side, it could be due to arthritis.
If your cat does have arthritis, it can be very painful to flex their limbs, so they may walk with a stiff-legged gait, resting their weight on the other three legs.
There are various effective treatments for arthritis. A few common treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain management medication, Inflacam, Meloxidyl, Metacam, joint supplements, injectable joint protectants, acupuncture, and cold laser therapy.
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NSAIDs are one of the most common treatments for arthritis in cats and dogs. They work by reducing inflammation and pain in the joints.
Pain management medications can be very effective in cats with arthritis, especially when combined with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Inflacam is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis in cats. Inflacam is given orally and is available by prescription only.
Meloxidyl is an anti-inflammatory and pain management drug used to treat arthritis in cats. Like Inflacam, Meloxidyl is given orally and works by reducing inflammation and pain in the joints.
Metacam is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis in cats. Metacam works by reducing inflammation and pain in the joints.
Joint supplements are a non-invasive way of managing the pain of arthritis. They are designed to help improve joint mobility and reduce inflammation. There are a wide variety of joint supplements available for cats. The most common ingredients are glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.
Injectable joint protectants are synthetic medications that have been shown to be effective at treating arthritis in cats. They are injected into the joint to reduce the pain caused by arthritis and provide your cat with more movement.
With arthritis, your cat's joints experience a buildup of toxins, which block the joints and keep them from moving properly. Acupuncture is a natural treatment that helps reduce pain and stiffness to restore normal mobility.
Cold laser therapy or photobiomodulation (PBMT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses light to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate blood flow. PBMT is a gentle and natural treatment that is safe to use long-term. It can be used alongside other treatments or as a stand-alone treatment for cats with arthritis.
Arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in your cat's joints.
While there is no cure for arthritis, the right arthritis treatment for cats can help to manage the pain. When choosing an arthritis treatment for your cat, consider their individual situation and discuss the different options with your veterinarian.
You can also consider a combination of treatments to manage the pain of arthritis and improve your cat's quality of life.
Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects cats of all ages. However, it is more common in cats over ten years old.
Arthritis is not life-threatening, but it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort without treatment.
Cats can live for many years with arthritis and have a good quality of life alongside treatments recommended by your vet.
Catnip does contain a mild anti-inflammatory and can be used to help manage minor cases of swelling caused by arthritis. However, it's vital that all treatments are reviewed by your vet before you begin them.
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