Arthritis Medicine for Cats

Cat arthritis is a painful condition that can majorly affect your cat’s quality of life, and it can be hard to identify. This disease can be caused by trauma, immune system malfunction, infection, and more, affecting 60 to 90 percent of senior cats. 

Not only are cats well versed in hiding their pain, but cat arthritis can also manifest differently from cat to cat. As a pet parent, knowing its clinical signs is the first step to getting your feline friend the cat arthritis treatment they need. Common signs of cat arthritis include:

• Less activity and lower energy levels
• Limping or stiff gait 
• Difficulty getting up from a resting position
• Favoring one leg over another
• Reluctance to jump or climb
• Unwillingness to engage in play
• Swollen or sore joints
• Grating sound when engaging in movement
• Wasting away of muscle tissue
• Avoiding pets on certain areas of their body
• Sudden irritability and aggression

While there is no cure for cat arthritis, there are a variety of cat arthritis treatments that can slow its progression, help manage its symptoms, and improve your cat’s quality of life. Some examples include:

• Arthritis medication for cats: Joint medicine for cats helps reduce the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are most commonly prescribed, along with steroids and other pain medications. 
• Dietary supplements: Supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin protect existing cartilage from breaking down and support joint health and mobility.
• Nutrition and weight management: Cats that are overweight are commonly put on prescription diets to lessen the strain on their joints. 
• Physical rehabilitation: Physical rehabilitation is another way to help your cat safely lose weight. It also promotes joint mobility. 
• Environmental accommodations: Soft bedding, ramps, non-slip mats, and raised food and water bowls can provide more comfort to your cat with osteoarthritis.
• Surgery: As the last line of defense against pain, surgical procedures to treat cat arthritis include joint replacement, joint fusions, cutting the joint, and amputation. 

NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed arthritis medicine for cats. They are used as a first-line treatment for pain and inflammation. Meloxidyl is a NSAID available to cats as an oral liquid, oral spray, or injection. Follow your veterinarian’s directions carefully when administering Meloxidyl to your cat. 

Dietary supplements like Cosequin can also help support your cat’s joint health and maintain its comfort level. Cosequin is proven to be safe, effective, and bioavailable for cats.

Get started with Dutch and soothe your cat’s joint pain from home. Choose your subscription plan, meet with one of our licensed veterinarians online, and get arthritis medicine for cats shipped directly to your door. 

Dutch telemedicine for pets provides customized treatment plans and unlimited follow-ups starting at just $11/month.