Detecting Arthritis in Cats : Preventing And Treating Arthritis in Cats

Detecting Arthritis in Cats

If you own a cat, irrespective of the size and breed you do not want to miss this write-up. It is high time that all the cat owners take out some time and get familiarized with arthritis that is often ignored. There are chances that your poor kitty suffers from arthritis, which may slow her down. Although we would not want anything of that nature to happen to her, but nothing can be taken for granted. It is very important to defect this disorder as soon as possible because if the situation is prolonged then it can not only increase the suffering of the feline but also decrease her lifespan.

The problem is that not many cat owners have been properly educated on the topic of arthritis. Even veterinarians in our country avoid discussing about it with cat owners because they consider it to be a sign of old age. But that is not the case. It has been researched and found that although arthritis is commonly found in older cats, it can happen at any age in cats. Obesity is another reason for arthritis to occur in cats. Due to excessive weight, the entire burden of the body comes on the joints of the feline which ultimately leads to wear and tear leading to arthritis.

With all the jumping and scampering done by house cats it is no surprise to see arthritis blooming as they reach their sunset years. But the problem is that cats are good at concealing the pain. Also, limping and struggling to get up are not very common in cats like dogs and people, arthritis goes undetected for several years in cats.

One of the sure-shot ways to diagnose arthritis in cats is conducting an X-ray. The most commonly affected cat areas include: knees, hips, elbows and spine. These are the joints that are scanned in radiographs.

Cat Arthritis Symptoms, Pain Relief & Treatments

Signs Of Arthritic Pain In Cats

    • Avoiding contact with people or pets
    • Difficulty climbing stairs
    • Difficulty standing after lying down
    • Going outside the litter box
    • Hesitant to jump up or down
    • Hesitant to play
    • Increased biting or aggression
    • Increased time sleeping
    • Irritable when handled
    • Making smaller jumps
    • Matted or scuffed coat
    • Over-grooming painful joints
    • Overgrown nails
    • Reduced time spent on grooming
    • Stiffness
    • Unwilling to explore

What Can You Do For Cat Having Arthritis?

If you detect any of these signs in your kitty, immediately take her to the veterinarian and ask them to take out an X-ray. If your cat is fat, even six or seven it is not unusual to develop arthritis. While there are certain cats like dogs that are genetically predisposed to arthritis.

Preventing Arthritis In Cats

If you have an overweight feline, even a two year old can encounter joint stress that extra weight exerts. With every ounce of extra weight you are increasing the chances of your cat to suffer from this painful ordeal. Hence, weight control is one of the most important factors to limit arthritis in cats. It also depends on individual genetics, but that is not in our control.

Treating Arthritis in Cats

There are several treatments that can aid in relieving joint pains in cats caused due to arthritis. Some of them include: Joint Guard, SeaFlex Joint Function and Seraquin.

Now, that you are able to detect arthritis in felines how do you plan to combat the situation?