Mary Allen
Statistically, nine out of ten cats over the age of 12 suffer from osteoarthritis. The joint problems are painful and limit your cat’s movement. But what is the cause of the disease and how can you prevent it?
Cats are usually very agile and agile. But with age, the joints wear out and arthrosis can develop. This causes pain and your cat will find it harder to move as flexibly as it did when it was younger.
Cause of Osteoarthritis in Cats
As with humans, joints can wear out over a cat’s lifetime. In young cats, the layer between the joints and bones absorbs all stress during movement. In older cats, this elastic lubricating layer (synovia) is often not as thick and the bones can no longer slide past each other smoothly.
The result: cartilage wears out, wild bone tissue (osteophytes) forms, and the joint capsules can become inflamed. This inflammation (arthritis) can ultimately be the cause of arthrosis. The affected joint swells and hurts. In this way, the cat protects the leg, which aggravates the arthrosis because little movement produces even less synovial fluid.
How to Prevent Arthritis in Cats
Since osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that cannot be easily reversed, it is best to prevent it. Above all, sufficient exercise is important so that your cat’s joints are well “lubricated”. For example, play with her often and give her plenty of opportunities to climb outdoors or indoors.
Also important: Being overweight increases the risk of osteoarthritis in cats. Overload damages the joints. If your pet is already too fat, a diet would be advisable in consultation with the veterinarian.
Dietary Supplements for Prevention?
Tip: You can also prevent this with the right diet in middle age cats. Include food supplements that support the joints with the food, which is particularly recommended for heavy cat breeds such as the BKH cat or the Maine Coon.
Be sure to ask your vet beforehand. Ginkgo, devil’s claw, New Zealand green-lipped mussel, or grape seed extract may help.