Osteoarthritis, often simply called arthritis, is a common & painful condition in us cats. This pawgressive degenerative joint disease causes damage within the joints, leading to stiffness, discomfort, & reduced mobility.

Good afternoon, Dot &Jerry here to MeowNow about feline arthritis.

While many of our humans associate arthritis with aging cats, it can develop at any age. Obesity, trauma, or underlying conditions such as hip dysplasia frequently contribute to its onset.

Because  us cats are furbulous at hiding pain, recognizing arthritis can be challenging. Some of us show subtle changes in our behavior before obvious mobility issues appear, making awareness positively critical for early support & management.

We nose  those of us cats with osteoarthritis may display one or more of the following:

• Reduced mobility, such as difficulty jumping onto furniture, counter surfing (Dot’s favourite pastime), climbing stairs, or rising from a catnap
• Stiffness, especially noticeable after sleeping or pawlonged catnaps
• Decline in grooming, leading to a dull or unkempt coat.  We do love to lick lick lick😻
• Peeing or pooping outside the our litter box, often because it is to difficulty stepping inside & getting out
• Behavioral changes such as irritability, aggression, or withdrawal
• Reduced playfulness & reluctance to be picked up or touched; oh my catnip, that would be a big sign

Veterinary diagnosis typically involves:

Physical examination: Veterinarians may detect pain when certain joints are touched, reduced range of motion, joint swelling, or crepitus (a grating or crackling sound); Dot taught me that new word.

X-rays: Imaging can reveal arthritis-related changes in our joints. However, many of us meowsome cats with significant discomfort may show few or no visible changes on X-rays, which makes hands-on assessment positively impawtant.

Although arthritis cannot be cured, effective management can greatly improve a our comfort & quality of life. Treatment is multimodal, combining several strategies:

Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve pain & reduce inflammation but with pawtential serious harmful side effects. Other medications like Gabapentin or Tramadol may also be prescribed for additional pain control; again these drugs may also have side effects.

Nutraceuticals: Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, & chondroitin can help maintain our cartilage & support joint health.  We have always relied on Omega Alpha’s supplements.  They are safe & reliable. Our go to are Omega Alpha‘s EZ Mobility SinewPet Glucosapet & HA 180 hyaluronic acid.

 

• Weight management: Keeping us felines at a healthy weight is essential; excess body fat puts strain on sore joints. Dot & I are not so pleased with this pawticular point.

Environmental modifications: Pawvide ramps to our favorite catnap spots, low-sided litter boxes, & soft, supportive bedding to make our daily life easier.

Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, laser therapy, & feline-specific rehabilitation exercises are increasingly used to support joint health & reduce pain. We nose huMom took a certified massage course for good dogs & furbulous felines when she was concerned about our fur sister Olivia as she started to move into her senior years.

Supporting Your Cat at Home

Cats with arthritis benefit from small lifestyle adjustments. Ensure our food, water, & litter boxes are pawsitioned somewhere we can easily reach. Keep our environment calm & low-stress, & observe us closely for any changes in mobility, grooming, or mood. Early intervention can make a huge difference in managing these condition effectively.

By recognizing the subtle signs of arthritis to create a management plan, you can help us furbulous feline stay comfortable, active, meowsomely  happy for years to come.

Our fur sister wrote a blog post on Canine Osteoarthritis which you can read by pawing this link:  Canine Osteoarthritis ~ Here’s What We Nose

 

Have a purrfect week!

Remember to be gnawsome, be kind & stay safe.

Dot & Jerry Underfoot😻 head boops 😻

                                  Remembering CEO Olivia & Eddy forever🐾💜🐾

 

 

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