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Arthritis is a fairly uncommon condition in cats. It affects
about three in every ten cats. Arthritis may affect cats as they
age due to disintegration of the joints. However, there have been
cases where it has occurred in younger cats due to infection or
trauma. It is important that you are aware of signs associated
with arthritis so you can spot the same in case your cat develops
the condition. While arthritis is a long-standing condition which
does not have any cure once it has set in, given the right
treatment,
medications
and a few lifestyle changes, you can contain the pain and
discomfort that it is causing to your pet. Here are some signs of
arthritis that you want to watch out for:
Finds it difficult to climb up the stairs
If you cat faces difficulties in climbing up the stairs or stops
jumping onto perches and countertops all of a sudden, then it
could be a sign of arthritis. Your cat may be hesitant about
moving as freely as before due to the pain and discomfort.
Is not keen on playing
Cats with arthritis tend to tire much faster than when they were
healthy. Your cat may show signs of lethargy, where it is not as
keen on playing as it was before. You may find them sleeping for
much longer than usual, and they may also show difficulty in
finding a comfortable position to sleep in.
Limps when it walks
Does your cat limp when it walks? You will have too observe
closely for this sign, as the limp may be conspicuous right after
your cat gets up to move around, rather than a while after, when
it is already warmed up.
Shows reduced grooming
Does the coat of hair on your cat appear unkept? Cats with
arthritis have a tendency to not groom themselves, resulting in a
disheveled appearance, but this is not always the case. Some
other cats have a tendency to lick, bite and chew in areas that
are causing pain. They may lick, bite or chew on the area till it
shows up as some swollen skin or a bald patch.
Is easily irritable
Does your cat have a case of โbad moodsโ off late? It could be
due to arthritis pain. Cats are wired to not show any signs of
weakness or pain, so they can guard themselves in case they are
attacked. So, what you are assuming to be as just foul mood could
actually be as a result of painful joints. Cats may show their
irritability by snapping or biting when you approach them or try
to hold them, or if it causes more pain when you handle them.
A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Cat Arthritis
Arthritis happens. Cats get older, just like all of us, and when
they do, the moving parts start to show signs of fatigue.
However, since the life expectancy of a cat is substantially
shorter than that of a human, the onset of their arthritis might
seem a bit more abrupt -- one day they are leaping off counter
tops, and the next they can barely get off the sofa. When it does
happen, it is good to know what you are in for, and what you can
do to help.
Thankfully, we here at PetCareRx have been compiling oodles of
information on the subject. Here's everything you need to know to
better understand your catโs condition.
As cats age, their ability to repair the cartilage in their
joints diminishes, resulting in osteoarthritis, the most common
form of arthritis in pets. When this happens, it can help to know
the symptoms (difficulty walking, atrophy in a single leg, etc),
and what you can do to help ease their pain (light exercise,
certain NSAID type drugs, corticosteroids).
Containing pretty much everything you need to know, from causes
to treatments, this handy article is a great reference sheet for
edifying yourself on the ins and outs of your pet's condition.
A preexisting condition likely to increase your catโs odds of
developing arthritis, hip dysplasia is often not diagnosed until
the damage has been done. While it may be a primarily inherited
trait, it can be exacerbated by being overweight, and there is no
cure, so it is a good idea to be on the lookout for this
syndrome.
This series of articles has everything you need to know about hip
dysplasia, helping to prepare you against all its potential
ravages, from causes and symptoms to treatment and tips.
Part of managing your catโs arthritis, like many other ailments,
comes down to diet. Helping your kitty shed some pounds, along
with giving some supplements to help support the cartilage
surrounding their joints, are key to helping improve your catโs
condition.
This article gives a detailed overview of steps you can be taking
to help offset the otherwise rapid deterioration of your catโs
mobility.
Need help figuring out what kind of supplements your arthritic
cat should be taking? Confused by all the different options for
vitamins and food that are out there?
Depending on your catโs specific condition, some types of
treatment might be more effective than others, which is why we
compiled this buying guide to help you sift through the sea of
available products.
Chondroitin and glucosamine are two popular supplements used to
help cope with arthritis -- chondroitin helping to keep cartilage
from deteriorating further, and glucosamine helping to keep the
joints moving smoothly.
This article explains the mechanisms behind these treatments, how
to use them, and why it pays to take them together.
And that's it, for now. Keep checking back, though, as any new
article that comes out on the subject of cat arthritis is going
to be included in this roundup, and there are sure to be a bunch
more on the horizon.
More on Cat Care
When to Take a Cat to the
Vet
Antibiotics for Cats
All About Cat Hairballs
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
