Cat arthritis
Cat arthritis is a frequent ailment that impairs mobility and causes cats to experience aching joints. Although there is no definitive treatment for cat arthritis, owners can take efforts to improve their cat's quality of life.
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis in cats
Due to their shared association with the rheumatism family of diseases, arthritis and osteoarthritis in cats are commonly mistaken with one another. These illnesses are diverse from one another, as are their symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is a complex condition involving the inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints. Cats with osteoarthritis experience intense cat joint pain and inflammation, which interferes with the cat’s activities of daily living. This mechanical condition is characterized by the gradual wearing down of the cartilage in the cat’s joints, with aging being the most common risk factor.
On the other hand, arthritis is not brought on by the regular deterioration of the cat's bones. Instead, it is a painful disorder that results in swollen, stiff joints. Although it can affect any joint in a cat's body, the legs and spine are the most frequently affected.
Arthritis in cats has been linked to the secretion of substances that gradually destroy the structure of the joints. It could also result from infections, genetics, or metabolic issues. Apart from older cats, arthritis could manifest in younger cats if they have an injury or if their joints have not developed properly.
How arthritis in cats manifests
Contrary to osteoarthritis in cats, where joint pain usually occurs when the joints are moving and decreases when at rest, for arthritis, using the joints generally reduces the intensity of the pain while it gets worse at rest.
If your cat has arthritis, you may notice a warm feeling near the affected joints, as well as some level of redness and swelling. The condition is often caused by hereditary factors, immune disorders, or chemical imbalances in the body.
The smooth surface of an arthritis-affected joint is worn down and irregular. The bones of the joint therefore brush against one another like sandpaper rather than sliding past one another. Intense pain and swelling result from this. Over time, the arthritic joints become thickened and stiff because they produce extra bone that is not needed. The extra bone gets in the way and becomes painful when the cat moves.
What are the symptoms of arthritis in cats?
If your cat exhibits the following symptoms, you should consider consulting your vet for advice on how to deal with arthritis.
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Swollen or hot joints.
- Difficulty jumping or using the stairs.
- Hiding away or sleeping more than usual.
- Appearing more grumpy than usual, especially when someone goes to touch him or her.
- More prominent shoulder blades sue to muscle wastage around the shoulders that make him or her appear thinner around those areas.
- Over-grooming, including licking certain spots more than usual, which could cause saliva staining due to the fur.
- Unkempt or mated fur, especially along the back and around the bottom, due to the cat finding it difficult or painful to twist to groom those areas.
It could be challenging to recognize these signs because cats often conceal their suffering as a defense mechanism against their predators. Therefore, it is suggested that cat owners who believe their cats are showing signs of arthritis reflect back on how they appeared a few months ago.
Treatment for arthritis in cats
You should take your cat to the vet if you think it may have arthritis. The veterinarian will make a diagnosis and suggest one of the following treatments for cats with arthritis:
- Cat arthritis supplements such as omega 3 and glucosamine.
- Anti-inflammatory pain relief, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
- Surgery
If your cat doesn’t have arthritis but you want to prevent him or her from getting it, you should do the following:
- Keep the cat’s weight under control.
- Feed the cat on a life stage diet.
- Keep the cat active and healthy through regular playtime.
Get more information and help with arthritis in cats
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