Did you know an estimated 40% of all cats are living with arthritis?

What is arthritis?

• There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, essentially the same chronic condition that humans suffer from.
• Healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a rubbery material that creates a cushion between the bones and provides a smooth surface for movement.
• When arthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, movement problems, and increasing pain, which steadily spreads throughout the body.
• Arthritis is normally found in older cats, although it can affect youngsters too.
• It’s usually caused by natural wear and tear of the joints, but can also be linked to injuries, as well as joint abnormalities such as hip dysplasia.

How do I spot the symptoms?

Cats are very good at hiding pain, which means they might not whimper or look obviously lame. Because our furry friends are four-legged (unlike us!), they are more adept at redistributing their weight to cope with discomfort. As a result, a limp can be harder to spot.

Nevertheless, there are some signs to look out for:

• Slowing down
• Lack of grooming
• Difficulty climbing up or down stairs
• Reluctance to jump on and off furniture
• Sleeping more
• Difficulty chasing moving objects
• Difficulty jumping up or down

If you’ve noticed your cat seems to be slowing down or have seen changes in their mobility, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. A simple health check or consultation can advise on any next steps, if necessary.

With proper management, the effects of osteoarthritis can be substantially reduced; enabling cats to live happier and more comfortable lives. Working in partnership with your vet to devise a complete care program can improve the quality of life for your cat and ease the management of feline osteoarthritis.