Your cat appears to be having difficulty jumping on their favorite couch. Or the new toy doesn’t get quite as much attention. Your cat may even have a bit of difficulty getting in or out of the litter box and moving around. As you notice these subtle but powerful signs, you’re moving on to the next stage of observant cat ownership and may ask yourself, how do I tell if my cat has arthritis? It may not just be the slowing down that aging can often bring – your cat could be suffering from early signs of osteoarthritis (OA) which affects nearly 40% of all cats!

There's quite a few things that can contribute to osteoarthritis. Poor joint structures from birth, traumatic injuries, and normal wear and tear are all contributing factors. Studies show that by the time your cats reach the age of 12, more than 90% of them have bone changes on x-ray, but few are diagnosed or treated before irreversible damage occurs.

Cats are highly skilled at hiding painful conditions, like OA, from owners and veterinarians. That’s one of the main reasons that OA in cats often goes undiagnosed and untreated until it’s far too late, leaving them with constant pain and possibly damaging the bond you’ve worked to build.

Osteoarthritis pain can present a serious health problem. And without treatment, pain will only grow! The first thing to do, as always, is to meet with your Thrive Pet Healthcare primary care veterinarian and come up with a treatment plan to relieve your cat’s movement discomfort. After a thorough examination, your veterinarian can often make the diagnosis on that initial meeting alone. Occasionally, your veterinarian may need to use the help of x-rays (radiographs). Because feline arthritis can contain various signs and symptoms, you and your veterinarian will need to work together to get the lead on treating this illness. Waiting can only exacerbate the problem!

Osteoarthritis isn’t just limited to cats – it’s the most common cause of chronic pain in all species. Thankfully, there are treatment options for cats that are diagnosed with OA to improve quality of life and assist in pain management. Based on your cat’s stage in the disease, lifestyle, and health status, you and your veterinarian will determine what’s most appropriate. These treatments can include:

Special joint diets or diet modifications - Your cat may need to go on a special diet! When formulated for joint issues, normally involving high Omega-3 fatty acid bases, your cat’s new diet can act as a natural anti-inflammatory aid, help in maintaining appropriate body weight and muscle mass, and improve mobility!

Weight loss – Your cat’s weight can be a deciding factor, with obesity in cats aggravating OA difficulties. Weight loss can remove the additional strain on their joints to help them move around with less pain.

Management and weight maintenance – If your cat is at a healthy weight, it’s important that they stay there. Appropriate weight and muscle mass via a particular food or exercise regimen is imperative in maintaining weight and muscle condition.

Exercise – Your cat is in for a workout! Appropriate play and controlled activities are a crucial part of maintaining your cats muscle mass. Toys, feeding puzzles, chase games – regular exercise will be a priority in helping with mental and physical health.

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – While NSAIDs are helpful for dogs with OA, none are currently approved to treat cat arthritis. Do not feed your cat human NSAIDs like Tylenol, as these are fatal to your cat. It’s important to work with your veterinarian to find medication that is safe and effective.

Acupuncture – Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system through the practice of inserting very fine, specialized needles into specific points on your cat’s body. By stimulating these nerve centers, acupuncture helps to decrease inflammation caused by OA in your cat.

Laser therapy – Laser therapy is a practice by which an exact frequency of light is directed into the tissue to help reduce pain, increase blood flow, and decrease inflammation.

Massage – You’re not the only one in need of a massage! Massages provide cats with OA pain relief and improved tissue strength, especially when the OA is causing secondary muscle tension. Some massage techniques can be taught to pet owners to provide at-home, on-demand muscle pain relief.

Physical therapy/rehabilitation therapy – Physical therapy and rehabilitation comprises many exercises and treatments, such as underwater treadmills, swimming, and stretching. When met with your cat’s particular needs, it can help to maintain and build muscle mass, decrease inflammation, improve mobility, increase joint fluid production, and reduce pain!

Stem cell therapy – Stem cells are a type of cell that renews itself, reproduces, and turns into a specialized cell type where needed. Stem cell therapy works as a kind of regenerative medicine, in which stem cells are place din an area that has been damaged (like an arthritic joint) and acts as a building block for repairing cartilage. It can improve range of motion and enhance joint function!

Your cat’s favorite spots may seem out of reach when cat arthritis starts to set in. The bird’s eye view on the windowsill, or the elevated sunny spot may be ignored when they were previously adored. These may be signs of initial osteoarthritis pain.

It’s important to remember that no one knows your cat better than you! You’re the best person to identify this behavior that beings to signal arthritis. Be sure to mention these to your veterinarian during regular visits and work together to develop a plan to keep your cat happy and healthy.

Let our Thrive Pet Healthcare veterinary experts help you take care of your furry friend!

Do you have more questions about being a pet owner? Be sure to check out the THRIVE Guide for Pet Owners weekly to get the answers to your most popular questions. For specific questions and routine care, book an appointment at your local Thrive Pet Healthcare network clinic. Our veterinarians are here to provide exceptional and essential care for your pet.