The life span of cats has increased in recent years to our great happiness, but with age comes also health complications almost inevitable.
20% of cats over the age of 12 have arthritis or osteoarthritis, most with little or no apparent symptoms. Yet, even if they are not visible, joint pain due to arthritis or osteoarthritis of the cat can make them suffer without you knowing it.
As a cat owner, you need to know that Feline Arthritis is a chronic disease that unfortunately cannot be cured, but only relieved. Pain due to osteoarthritis or arthritis is often part of your cat’s normal aging process but, fortunately, it is possible to organize his quality of life by improving his mobility through a better adaptation of daily life and the environment and a good treatment for feline arthritis / osteoarthritis. If your cat has arthritis (or if you think your cat has arthritis), read the tips below to learn how to relieve joint pain and improve mobility.
HOW TO RELIEVE THE ARTHRITIS OF THE CAT (ARTHROSIS OF THE CAT)?
- Edit the environment of your cat with osteoarthritis
Make your cat’s access to his favorite places easier: litter boxes, bowls, and furniture at height. Set up ramps or ladders (especially designed for your feline) and encourage him to play, which will give him more physical activity, which is necessary in the case of osteoarthritis of the cat.
- Relieving pain due to osteoarthritis
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the first drugs used by veterinarians a pet supplies. However, most of these products should not be used long-term in the case of chronic diseases. Indeed, the problems of toxicity due to NSAIDs limit the enzymatic systems that take into account in their metabolism. There is also a risk of administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to older cats in whom chronic kidney disease is common. Some of these medications can even be fatal and should never be used without a veterinarian’s prescription. In addition, we all know that it is sometimes difficult to administer conventional medications to our feline companions.
- Oral nutritional supplements
Natural treatments are used to reduce pain and inflammation, nourish and heal the cartilage of cats with osteoarthritis or arthritis. Holistic practitioners and veterinarians are now prescribing more and more oral nutritional Petmeds as the first choice of treatment. Complementary therapies can also be used to reduce the need for conventional pharmacological treatments. Chondro-protective supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid are involved in the growth, reconstruction and repair of cartilage.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
Other natural treatments provide relief to your cat with osteoarthritis: acupuncture, chiropractic, laser therapy and physical therapy. As long as your cat cooperates, there is no limitation in the duration of these treatments.