Cat Joint Arthritis And Pain: Common Causes, Signs & Nutrition

Hiding

Decreased grooming

Decreased interaction with pet parent

Sitting in an abnormal position

House soiling

Reacting or flinching when touched

Decreased activity

Uncomfortable when lying down

Age

As cats age, joint cartilage will progressively wear away.

Weight

Extra weight means extra stress on the joints.

Accidents

Even minor events or daily wear & tear can cause joint damage.

Genetics

Certain cat breeds are more susceptible to mobility loss.

If your cat is having trouble with joint stiffness or mobility, there are plenty of things you can do to help manage their condition. Not sure which joint care options are right for your cat?

Early management is crucial

Catching OA early is critical to help prevent extensive, permanent wear and tear on cartilage. Your vet can help you create a management plan for your cat, which can include:

Weight Management: Weight and joint health are closely related, as excess weight increases the strain put onto joints and can result in more cartilage wear. Your vet can help you determine if a weight loss program would help your cat, and may recommend weight loss nutrition and regular exercise.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be a valuable part of managing joint pain, and can include manual therapy (like joint mobilization and stretching), therapeutic modalities (like ice packs, heat packs, and shockwave therapy) and therapeutic exercise. Your vet can help you decide if physical therapy is right for your cat.

Nutrition: Therapeutic nutrition enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids are among the most effective ways to manage osteoarthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can help nourish joint health.

Medication: Your vet may recommend medication to help alleviate pain as part of your cat’s treatment. The most popular pain relievers are NSAIDs, but additional medications may also be used.

Environmental enrichment: Enrichment is an important part of every cat’s life but is especially vital to provide mental stimulation for less-mobile cats. Altering your cat’s daily routine, giving them one-on-one time and rotating toys are all ways to help keep your cat busy and happy.

k/d + j/d Chicken & Vegetable Stew Cat Food

Delicious clinical nutrition to help protect vital kidney function, encourage appetite and increase mobility in your cat

Metabolic Cat Treats

Metabolic Treats to help support healthy weight loss and weight maintenance, and are a great complement for cats being fed other Prescription Diet weight loss or maintenance feline food.