Feline arthritis symptoms include loss of agility and nimbleness, stiffness and gait change. The symptoms are usually mild at first and progress along with the disease. Cats may also show some pain from the arthritis, and symptoms may worsen during cold or rainy weather. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, constipation and problems with grooming. However, these tips might help make an arthritic cat more comfortable:

Make sure the cat is at a proper weight. Excess pounds put excess pressure on sore and tender joints. Since the cat may not want to exercise because of the sore joints, put the cat on a lower-calorie diet.

Cut down the kibble. The cat should always have canned food or raw or cooked meat. Kibble should be kept to a minimum, as cats do not drink a lot. Canned food, raw meat or cooked meat has more liquid in it and is healthier for the cat.

Keep your cat cozy. The cat should have a warm place to sleep, as heat helps relieve the pain of arthritic joints.

Feed the cat supplements. One of the best supplements that help with arthritis is a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. These two substances make up a big part of cartilage. The cat’s body, as it gets older, does not produce enough of these substances.

Don’t forget the fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for joint health. Omega-3 fatty acids provide lubrication for the joints, which helps to relieve the stiffness caused by arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in corticosteroids prescribed by your vet.

If you notice the symptoms of arthritis, you should have your cat checked by the vet to make sure it is arthritis in the first place and make sure your cat doesn’t need any additional feline medication. You might worsen the situation if you don’t consult your vet about any at-home treatments.

Tags: feline arthritis, feline medication