Joint Ailments in Older Cats

Image by Kevin Steele via Flickr

One thing that you hear about in dogs a lot is problems with their joints and arthritis as they age, but you almost never hear about it in cats, but they do have joint problems as they get older. Some of the symptoms of joint problems can be signs of stiffness when the cat gets up, a hesitation to jump up, a change in their walk and signs of pain when walking. Obesity can also be a contributing factor. If your cat is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian.
But, what can you do? The most popular treatment is the same thing that people use, a combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in a product called Cosequin.
Cosequin is available at most pet supply stores and websites. When giving your cat any type of pills, I find it much easier using greenies pill pouches. My cats really love them.
One other thing that you can do, if your cat will let you is to massage the areas around the joints, to help relax tight muscles and sore joints. An excellent book that I have picked up recently is “The Healing Touch for Cats”. My older cat really likes the attention and techniques that I have learned about from this book.
If your cat is over weight, please discuss weight loss options with your veterinarian including diet and exercise. This can also help with joint problems.