Does Your Cat Have Arthritis?

 

 

Is there any change in how your cat jumps up or down?

Is there any change in how your cat climbs up or down?

Does your cat jump as high as it used to?

Does your cat sit down or get up more slowly than it used to?

Does your cat move as if it is stiff? Does the stiffness getter better with movement?

Does your cat not squat all the way down in the litter box?

Does your cat urinate or defecate just outside the litter box?

Is your cat’s fur getting mats?

Does your cat avoid children or visitors more than in the past?

Does your get resent being picked up or held more than in the past?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your cat may have arthritis or another form of degenerative joint disease.

 

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) includes several conditions which can affect mobility of the joints of the limbs, back, or neck. DJD causes stiffness and pain and affects how well the cat can walk, run, climb, jump and squat. Arthritis and other forms of DJD are common in are middle aged or older cats. These conditions are diagnosed by an orthopedic exam and x-rays.

 

Although there is no cure for arthritis, the stiffness and pain can be reduced with medications, supplements and sometimes with acupuncture.  Providing your cat with cat steps or ramps makes it easier to get up on beds and perches. Large, low-height entry litter boxes give stiff cats more room to turn and position themselves inside the box.

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