You have been informed by your veterinarian that your cat suffers from arthritis, and now you are looking for a way to assist your feline companion. In this section, the veterinarians at our Oak Grove hospital will discuss how altering your cat's diet may be an effective method for treating arthritis.
Arthritis in Cats
Cats are living longer than before which means vets are seeing more health conditions that are normally seen in older cats like arthritis. The problem with this is that the research into medications to assist cats with this condition is not as advanced as it is for other species. The pharmaceutical companies can’t adjust the dosage as they do with some human or other animal medication to give to cats because the types of medications used for arthritis in humans and dogs are toxic to cats. There are drugs that can mask the pain but it is normally reserved for later in the condition. One recommendation for helping your cat with arthritis is to put them on a diet.
How Cat Food Can Help Treat Arthritis in Cats
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. By putting your cat on a diet in an effort to reduce the weight that your cat has it is the hope that it will reduce the strain on their joints. It has also been shown that the extra fat on an obese cat namely the white fat can cause hormones to be released that cause inflammation. Anything that causes inflammation should be avoided because that is what arthritis is, inflammation of the joints.
In order to keep these problems from occurring, you should strive to keep your cat on the slender side.
What Diet is Recommended for Cats
Confirm with your veterinarian about a weight loss plan for your cat's arthritis or osteoarthritis treatment if they are obese. You want to have your cat on a diet that keeps them lean.
Your cat will require an adequate amount of protein in order to keep the muscles that support the joints in good condition. The goal is not to build muscle on the cat; rather, fat loss is the focus here.
Fish oil supplements are one solution that is advocated for the treatment of joint issues. It has been demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid has a beneficial effect on the health of the joints. The disadvantage is that it does add calories, which can prevent the weight loss that is intended to occur from the diet. We strongly suggest discussing the matter with your veterinarian in order to identify the optimal nutritional balance for treating and managing their condition.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition or boarding needs, please make an appointment with your vet.
Has your cat been acting stiff? Are you worried about your cat's joints? Book an appointment today to have your cat examined and determine the next step to get your cat to its healthiest.