How can one tell if their cat has arthritis?
As cats grow older, their muscles weaken. They tend to not clean themselves as much, they have more shedding problems, and they are generally more irritable. They also tend to not jump up to their higher perches as they might have in the past.
Arthritis in cats is a bit more difficult to judge, especially if it is an older cat that simply might have a waning amount of muscle, which means that while they are not as spry, they don’t necessarily have arthritis.
If you notice your cat has trouble standing up after sleeping or is pained when walking, you should take a trip to the veterinarian to see if there is some medication that you should start for your cat. Cats have very different muscles than dogs. They are much more difficult to provide arthritis relief and so need to receive a series of medications in order to have the medicine take effect. As a result, it is better to start sooner rather than later.
Massage can be a great way to alleviate soreness of muscles. The Tellington Touch is a much regarded method of soothing what ales your feline companion.
