What is arthritis in cats?
Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease DJD, causes pain and inflammation in a cats joints. Arthritis tends to affect the elbow joint but other joints can be afflicted too. Felines suffering from arthritis may show overall stiffness, swelling of the joints, lethargy, decreased flexibility and discomfort when you pet or handle them in certain positions. You may also notice subtle behavioural changes like decreased activity, lapsed litterbox habits due to pain caused by getting in and out of the box, hesitancy to run, jump or climb stairs. Cartilage that forms a cushion between the bones in a joint starts to deteriorate with age and becomes less flexible. Arthritis can also develop due to injury, dislocation or infection in the joint. Extra weight can also put extra strain on a cat’s joints.
Supplements for the feline?
Diets for cats with arthritis should contain adequate amounts of protein. Strong muscles help to support joints. Most cats with arthritis are older and research has shown that a cat’s ability to digest protein can decline after the age of 10 or so. Food for arthritic cats should contain high quality sources of animal-based protein as that is easily digested. Dietary supplements are also quite helpful in treating arthritis in cats. Cats with arthritis can benefit from chondroprotectant supplements that promote the health of cartilage. A combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate or extracts from green lipped mussels are commonly used and can be mixed into the food or given as pills. Supplements for cats come in many forms like oil, powders, granules, liquids, chewy bits. Cats are fussy eaters, so you will have to see which supplement the cat likes best.
Boswellia Serrata
The resin of the Boswellia serrata tree has long been used in traditional indian medicines. Boswellia serrata has beneficial effects in pain conditions by inhibiting the production of a specific type of leukotriene, which modulates the immune response to inflammation. This large tree native to India, is a potent anti-inflammatory that effectively shrinks inflamed tissue by improving circulation and increasing synovial fluid viscosity. Boswellia may help alleviate pain and improve range of motion within a week of daily use, and may slow the progression of cartilage damage. A bitter herb, boswellia is usually taken in capsules.
Glucosamine
The most common method of treating feline arthritis is the use of nutraceutical supplements called glycosaminoglycans or GAGs, also known as mucopolysaccharides. This is a supplement that is found naturally in the cat’s joints and cartilage. Glucosamine helps to keep the cats joints, tendons and cartilage strong and supple as the cat ages. Glucosamine supplement helps the cats body to maintain the natural levels as they tend to drop, as the cat gets older. It stimulates cartilage repair, reduces inflammation, and helps to strengthen and reform the existing cartilage in the cat’s joints to help them in their movement. It also helps to reduce the pain caused when the bones in a joint rub against each other when the cat’s cartilage gets damaged. GAGs are important because they actually protect the joint rather than just reduce symptoms, by helping to rebuild cartilage and restore synovial joint fluid. GAGs may also have some preventative effect on arthritis. Oral GAG products may be most effective if given separate from meals, though it’s fine to give them with food if needed.
Green Lipped Mussel – GLM
This edible shellfish has been a major part of the diet of the local population of New Zealand. In 1974 an American research program studying marine molluscs for anti-cancer properties found GLM to be a potentially natural remedy for arthritis. It naturally contained the components the body required to effectively give relief from the symptoms of arthritis without the adverse side effects associated with drug therapies and pain killers. The benefit comes as relief from joint pain, swelling and improvement in general mobility. Usually the improvement in these conditions is gradual and progressive, it is also usually long lasting and not temporary. Normally, the first thing to be noticed is a reduction in pain & swelling, which is then followed by gradual improvement in grip strength, freedom of movement or other mobility and all this without any adverse side effects of classical drug therapy. The reason for the benefit of GLM is because it contains anti-inflammatory agents, immune modulators and many essential proteins, minerals, glycosaminoglycans and marine long chain fatty acids, all naturally occurring substantial therapeutic agents known to maintain joint mobility and well-being. All these agents are needed to rebuild collagen, proteoglycans and synovial fluid found in all the joints, ligaments and tendons of the body. GLM contains the components to overcome arthritis and other auto-immune inflammatory conditions.
These are some supplements that address certain medical issues and could improve the health of your cat. It is always best to first discuss any medical concerns you have with your veterinarian and get their recommendation for supplements your dog may benefit from.
