Cat
Arthritis: A Silent Affliction
 When
your cat is in pain, it can’t speak up to tell you; it can
only show you. If you noticed your cat struggling to get up, having
trouble jumping, or simply walking with stiff legs, then it may
have cat arthritis. Just as with humans, cat arthritis causes pain
and inflammation of the joints, making it hard to sit, stand, walk,
or simply bend joints. Cat arthritis can be caused by several factors,
the most common being old age; however, excess weight is another
possible cause that is often overlooked.
Although only your
veterinarian can officially diagnose cat arthritis, there are many
signs and symptoms that can help you determine if your fluffy friend
is suffering from this ailment. For example, has their walk or gait
changed? If they have altered the way they walk, such as moving
their legs differently or simply moving differently in general,
it may be because they are trying to avoid the pain of bending their
legs. Also, if your cat is reluctant to move or get up, it could
be because of cat arthritis. Although everyone knows that a comfy
kitty is not inclined to give up a cozy spot, extreme reluctance
may mean it hurts them to get up, and that’s why they don’t
want to move. Cat arthritis can also cause changes in mood and behavior,
with your cat showing signs of aggression or bad temper. As in humans,
constant pain can be frustrating and exhausting, and oftentimes,
these mood changes in cats are caused by the pain of cat arthritis.
Along with an arthritis
supplement for cats, such as Dr. Prange’s Maximum Joint Enhancer,
there are many things you can do to lessen your feline friend’s
discomfort from cat arthritis. First and foremost is weight control.
If your cat is overweight, more stress is put on the joints, meaning
it will hurt more to use them. By keeping your cat’s weight
under control, the pain of cat arthritis can be decreased. Exercise
can provide a double-dose of treatment for cat arthritis by helping
with weight loss and weight control, as well as keeping the joints
warmed up and moving. As anyone who’s gotten up on a cold
winter’s morning knows, the cold can cause even young, healthy
joints to ache and creak. On this note, providing your cat with
a warm place to relax can help the pain of cat arthritis. A simple
heating pad under a blanket can make a world of difference, although
of course it’s important to keep an eye on it to make sure
it does not overheat.
These steps, along
with an arthritis treatment, can make all the difference in the
world to your feline friend, and can help take away the pain of
cat arthritis, letting them live their life to the fullest and get
back to being your best friend.
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