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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