Arthritis

90% of cats over 12 years of age have some form of arthritis.

Overview

Arthritis is the development of chronic and irreversible inflammation of the joints of a cat.

Signs

Arthritis is the irreversible and progressive deterioration of joints that causes pain and a reduction in joint motion. It affects cats of all ages but predominantly pets >10 years of age. The most commonly affected joint in cats is the elbow joint. Many cats also develop arthritis in the lower back.

Common signs of arthritis in a cat:

• Stiffness
• Hesitation to jump from heights
• 'Pouring' down from a height
• Landing with a thump and a groan
• Difficulty climbing into the litter box
• Move around less and sleep more
• Rough or matted fur from poor grooming of the hind quarters
• Long and/or thick nails 
• Increased irritability or crying when picked up

Management

Arthritis management is based on:

• Weight loss if overweight
• Diet control with foods rich in Omega fatty acids such as veterinary arthritis prescription diets
• Antiinflammatory drugs
• Pain relief drugs 
• Injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycans like Zydax

Homecare

Tips to help manage pets with arthritis:

• A warm home
• Place the bed away from cold draughts and close to a heat source or the sun
• Soft but firm bedding
• Ramps or small steps onto the couch or bed so that the pet does not have to jump
• Avoid stairs
• Avoid slippery surfaces such as tiles
• Regular grooming
• Parasite control
• Regular nail trim
• Weight loss to take excessive pressure off the joints - this should be gradual and managed by your veterinarian as sudden weight loss can be dangerous
• Avoid rough play
• Provide a litter tray with a lowered wall for easy access

Your vet will help you design an arthritis management program to improve your cat's quality of life.