My 9-year-old cat seems to have arthritis. He limps on his front leg.

[GoldenSparrow]

My 9-year-old cat seems to have arthritis. He limps on his front leg. It goes off and on.
He seems to have it a lot when he just wakes up from a nap. Seems stiff.
Its bin like this for a few months now.

I think its keeping him from running and playing.
Is there anything I can give him to help with it?
somthing natural maybe?

Thanks all

 

[big m70726]

I work at sherwood south vet animal hositpal and the dr give the ulram but there are things over counter from stores just look for something for arthis for pets it will say on it also my friends give their dog asprin hope this helps

 

[GoldenSparrow]

Thanks

 

[AinaWGSD]

DO NOT give a cat aspirin. EVER! It is toxic to them. It is ok for dogs to have aspirin, but cats will die from it. Unfortunately, cats are unable to process most of the drugs available for pain control, so, unlike dogs, there isn't really a lot that you can do long term for arthritis pain. You can give them glucosamine, which will help if it is arthritis in a synovial joint such as the carpus or elbow (it is less effective in spinal arthritis). You can also give them vitamin E and essential fatty acid supplements, which should help as vitamin E is a natural anti-inflammatory. If it is really really bad (unlikely from your description) they can also receive stanazolol injections, but since it is a steroid and comes with all of the negative steroid side effects this is really an end-of-life or very short term treatment.

 

[mama24]

9 years old seems kinda young for a cat to have arthritis, unless it suffered an injury in that leg before. I would take him to the vet to rule out other things. They can also help you with what meds are safe. A lot of stuff is pretty toxic to cats, be careful.

 

[MetalSmitten]

glucosamine/chondroitin supplements may help if it's actually arthritis, but honestly, i'd advise you to take kitty to the vet. it doesn't quite sound like normal arthritis and i worry there may be an injury, or even maybe something like a tumor in the bone or something. always best to get these things ruled out before you home-treat. good luck

 

[GoldenSparrow]

I took him to the vet a month ago for a cheek up
, but Ringtail the cat dident limp at ALL at the vet!!! I was so mad the vet said it could be arthris.

but I was't really worried about it then.

 

[xchairity_casex]

make sure you get a glucosamine supplemet specifically for cats anything else can cause issues.
unfortunatly if it is arthritus theres not much a vet will do other then suggest the gucosamine. theres not many pain meds for a cat for long term use my cat is 13 years old and suffering from arthritus pretty badly in her front legs. she was always a very acrobatic and athletic kitten and cat she still doesnt want to slow down when she was about 3 she would scale walls and jump off ceiling high shelves we always tried to stop her but you couldnt. then when she hit 9 seh started gaining weight.

if yur kitty is even a little oevrweight this can make the srthritus worse since a cats bone structure is not equiped to carry such heavy loads cats are supposed to be thin and lean so this can wear out hte joints much quick then say a dogs so get your kitty started on a GOOD diet

try adding the glucosamin/condroden supplement everyday

another thing i have found to help a bit is fish oil try adding a fish oil supplement but talk to a vet about the amount becuase too much fish oil acts as a blood thinner andcan cause serious problems if you give too much.

keep a few speciel spots for your kitty low to the ground or add some steps next to your bed or couch so they dont need to jump they make thermal cat cushoins which all my cats LOVE.

if you cat goes outside dont allow them out in cool weather or wet weather.

i have 3 cats 2 are 14 and one is 13 i live in the basement and i always keep it quite warm for them and i have orthapedic foam beds everywhere ive got atleast 5 then i have the thermal cat cushions, a micro fiber throw on my couch and steps leading up the couch and steps up to my bed. all fot hese things have REALLy helped alot i also put thick thick rugs in front of the food and water bowls so when she eats or drinks she doesnt have to stand on hard surfaces for logn epriods of time.