DOES YOUR CAT HAVE ARTHRITIS?
- Degenerative joint disease, or feline arthritis, is a lot more common in cats than most owners realize. Veterinary researchers estimate 45% of all cats and 90% of cats over age 10 are affected by arthritis in some way.
- People tend to assume that their cat will vocalize or show their pain in the same way a dog might, but chronic pain in cats doesn’t show itself that way. Instead, behaviors that owners might attribute to ‘getting old’ or ‘slowing down’ can often be signs of joint pain or disease.”
- Cats don’t really limp like people do. Instead, they will continue to do the same activities they always have, albeit poorly or more slowly. It may take a cat several tries to jump up onto the bed, whereas previously they had no trouble, or maybe they hesitate before climbing stairs.
- Unless you’re paying attention and know what to look for, it can be easy to miss these signs.
- The following are six yes-or-no questions for owners:
- Does your cat jump up normally?
- Does your cat jump down normally?
- Does your cat climb up stairs or steps normally?
- Does your cat climb down stairs or steps normally?
- Does your cat run normally?
- Does your cat chase moving objects (toys, prey, etc.)?
- Owners are so important for cats – veterinarians don’t see them in settings where these changes are obvious. Owners have to understand what may be causing these behaviors, then see their veterinarian. It’s remarkable how much cats still want to do when pain is relieved. When you see them get a treatment that works, it’s amazing.”