| Arthritis in an elderly cat is as common as it is in an | | | | that joints are not under any pressure. |
| elderly person. Just like humans their cartilage wears | | | | Make sure that litter trays do not have high sides, |
| out and becomes thin allowing for bones to rub | | | | which would be difficult to climb in and out of and |
| together causing inflammation and pain. | | | | place all food, and water bowls on the floor in a safe |
| Knowing if your cat has arthritis is something that | | | | area where the cat will not be disturbed. Even floor |
| only a vet can accurately diagnose however there | | | | surfaces should be made easy to walk on. Polished |
| are various symptoms that might lead you to | | | | floors can be slippery and difficult to walk on with |
| suspect that your cat is feeling their age and a little | | | | stiff legs; placing mats down in areas where your cat |
| creaky. It may become noticeable that your cat | | | | normally spends their time is a good solution. |
| starts to walk with stiff legs and becomes more and | | | | A cat with arthritis will need special food to meet |
| more reluctant to go outside, preferring instead to | | | | their dietary needs, which will help support their |
| sleep more and generally be less active. Picking up | | | | system to fend off illness and to keep their bones as |
| your cat may also become something that you do | | | | strong as possible. If possible home prepared cat |
| less as they tend to cry out as they are lifted, this | | | | food is the best option as it allows you to only feed |
| could be due to pain in their joints. | | | | your pet the best food without any of the synthetic |
| If your cat is diagnosed with arthritis there is | | | | preservatives found in commercial food. The types |
| unfortunately no cure for the condition, but there are | | | | of food which would help your pet are fresh meat, |
| medicines that can be given which will ease the | | | | raw vegetables with added pet vitamins and daily |
| inflammation and pain for your pet. Your vet is likely | | | | supplements, but it is always best to check with your |
| to prescribe one of the NSAID (non-steroidal | | | | vet to make sure that certain foods are ok to feed |
| anti-inflammatory drugs) that are similar to the human | | | | to your cat. |
| drug ibuprofen; as well reducing pain they will also | | | | If preparing your own homemade cat food is not for |
| slow the progression of the illness. | | | | you, there are plenty of top quality cat foods |
| As a cat owner it can be difficult for us to see our | | | | available on the market that is suited for the elderly |
| pets in discomfort and not being able to get around | | | | cat. However do check that they do not contain |
| as much as they used to. The desire to want to | | | | ethoxyquin preservatives, BHA and BHT nitrates, as |
| provide your cat with as much help and support to | | | | these over time can be harmful to your arthritic cat. |
| cope with the arthritis and through their old age is | | | | Keeping your cat as active as possible is also to be |
| natural and luckily there are a few things that can be | | | | encouraged with a cat with arthritis. They will not |
| done to make your pets life a little more comfortable. | | | | want to do much and so will require some gentle |
| Making sure that your home is cat friendly and that it | | | | persuasion on your part. Keeping them active is |
| is easy for your arthritic cat to get around is | | | | important for two reasons. Firstly an inactive cat is |
| probably one of the easiest things you can do. Make | | | | prone to put weight on which will increase the |
| sure that their bedding is placed on a low surface and | | | | pressure on their joints. Secondly it will help to keep |
| that it is easy to climb into. The bed should also be | | | | the joints mobile and not to stiffen too much. Even a |
| well padded to make it as comfortable for old bones | | | | very gentle game of chase the string or find the |
| as possible, there are even special orthopaedic cat | | | | treat once a day may make all the difference for |
| beds available that help to distribute body weight so | | | | your cats long term mobility and health. |