A healthy cat is a happy cat. But even with his rumored nine lives, he obviously cannot escape the looming threat of old age. And with old age comes possible illnesses due to the weakening of the body. One possible sickness a cat can be susceptible to is joint inflammation (or in other words, feline arthritis.) Arthritis makes humans miserable – so imagine a cat having to go through that stage as well – hence the need for natural cat pain treatment.

Mild or not, cat pain is now being commonly associated with arthritis or osteoarthritis – a condition that breaks down worn-down cartilage and in doing so, allows the bones to rub against one another bringing your feline a pain so bad that he feels his body about to break.

If you feel that your pet deserves something to soothe the pain away, here are five tried and tested natural cat pain treatment options for him to enjoy:

Heat therapy. Cold weather has a bad effect on the joints – both on humans and cats suffering from the disease. Try to keep your cat warm and cozy by turning up the heater. If you have a heating pad set it on control one or low and let your cat purr his sleep away. Or if you can spend a little dough,  buy a therapeutic thermal cat bed complete with warmer and massage controls.

Change of diet. In today’s modern world, even arthritic cats now have specially formulated diets complete with fatty acids and ALA which helps lessen inflammation. Also, the bigger and fatter the feline, the higher the tendency for him to have arthritis. The pressure exerted by the cat’s weight on affected joints should be reduced.

Feline acupuncture. Acupuncture relieves and reduces inflammation and pain – that works for both people and cats. Yes, strange as it may sound, most cats allow needles to be stuck in them and this is considered a natural cat pain treatment method. Some vets are actually qualified to do acupuncture on your pets – and since they are used to having animals around them, the felines actually tend to relax more. And the best part – a veterinary acupuncturist does house calls, so cats really don’t feel threatened.

Natural, nutritional supplements. Glucosamine, arthro ionx, and chondroitin also help to repair worn out and damaged tendons. Herbs and medicinal plants such as Devil’s Claw and Spirulina also help in relieving painful arthritic episodes.

Exercise. Unfortunately, for your furry friend, exercising is one activity you simply cannot eliminate. An inactive body and limbs only do more damage as the cartilage and joints stiffen when your cat doesn’t move. Take your cat for a stroll or, if he really can’t do so, let him play with his ball of string. Don’t let him be dormant for so long.

All Natural Cat Pain Remedy

I use an all natural cat pain remedy to give immediate relief to my senior cats.  You can mix it in wet food, but I prefer to administer a bit directly into the cat’s mouth.  It’s odorless and tasteless so they don’t fuss with me.  In fact, now they know it helps them feel better.

But arthritis is a general term. To get the correct solution to help reduce cat pain, first try to identify what type of arthritis he has. There are a lot of types of arthritis, but the ones that cats most commonly suffer from are:

Traumatic arthritis: This type of arthritis is derived from accidents or a simple sprain. It could be from anything – a fall from a shelf, an impact injury (from a moving vehicle), a cat fight, or some other trauma. It may even range from a pain that is not that serious to one that may require surgery.

Progressive polyarthritis: This can be further divided into two. One type similar to human rheumatoid arthritis – the bone under the cartilage becomes exposed. The other type has an eroded cartilage with bone thickening on one side of the joint and is similar to degenerative joint diseases. Both have the same effect though – the slightest movement gives your cat pain.

Bacterial arthritis: Beware if your cat comes home from a fight with the neighbors. Immediately check for bite marks. Apparently, rabies is not the only one you should think of when you find a mark. Bacterial arthritis comes from bite wounds, possibly from a dog or other cats. When the joint becomes swollen, the cat will most possibly have a fever, and he will not eat. This deadly type of arthritis not only infects the joints but also the bone if it is left untreated.

Osteoarthritis: If your cat is the athletic type, then he can be more prone to this illness. Although very rare in cats, this may happen due to frequent episodes of trauma (such as the ones mentioned under traumatic arthritis) as dislocation of joints most often contribute to the wear-and-tear of the cartilage. An obese or overweight cat can also suffer from cat joint pain as excessive weight puts pressure on the joints. The stiffness will be most obvious when the feline comes from a prolonged sitting or lying-down position.

Arthritis in cats is a disease that should be given proper medical attention once symptoms arise. Possible warning signs may include limping, avoiding jumping or climbing, legs that look thinner than usual, favoring a specific limb, aggression or withdrawal from other pets/humans, etc. Ask your vet as to the gravity of your cat’s condition, so that you can give your furry little friend the comfort he so badly needs all throughout his life.

Arthritis is a relatively more common condition for humans, but arthritis in cats can still be pretty heartbreaking sight, seeing our feline companion of many years having a hard time with what was once their graceful bodies can be very sad for both the cat and even the owner. Fortunately, there are some things that we can do to alleviate or even avoid arthritis in cats.

Cause of Arthritis in Cats

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease—an inflammation of the joints—that afflicts both humans and of course, cats. The difference between us and our pet cats is that they cannot tell you if they really are suffering from feline arthritis, so you as the responsible pet owner will have to look for telltale signs in your pet cat.

Arthritis in cats is primarily caused by aging and as the cat ages, the cartilage surface of the bones eventually thin and erode. The feline body will normally cope with it, healing the broken tissues. However, as cats age, their regenerative systems may not be able to cope properly, and the newly healed cartilage surface won’t probably be as smooth as the one before it, or may even heal incompletely altogether, causing irregularities. These irregularities cause joint pains and even inflammation.

Symptoms of feline arthritis in cats

Pain is a common symptom of arthritis in cats, and your cat may respond in various ways depending on the level of pain that it is experiencing. Unlike in humans where swelling is usually more common, a cat suffering arthritis will probably not have an inflamed affected area. The most important thing for cat owners to do is to watch out for any changes in your cat’s habits. Has he become more irritable as of late? Is she walking with a slight limp? Do they lick their joints more often than normal?

You might also do well to watch out for other symptoms of feline arthritis, such as:

• An altered gait
• Stiffness when getting up from rest
• Avoidance or complete inability to jump
• An overt pained manner when just walking
• Favoring a limb
• Reduction in muscle mass in certain areas near joints (like the legs)
• Continual behavioral shifts (unexplained irritability, excessive nervousness, aggression towards familiar people or other pets)

Remedies for arthritis

Even if your cat displays most of these symptoms it may not necessarily mean that he has arthritis. Feline arthritis or not, however, if your pet cat does exhibit such symptoms, then it really is best that she should be brought to the vet the soonest time possible for a proper diagnosis.

Your local vet will be able to give you different arthritis cats’ treatment, medicinal or otherwise. Treatments of various kinds are available, which may include corticosteroids. However, due to its controversial nature (and its ill side effects), corticosteroids are only given as a last resort. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might also be used, but just like corticosteroids, its side effects, though milder, might also be cautioned against.

Another treatment is the administration of vitamin C for relief of arthritic pains. The problem is that not all cats may be receptive to vitamin C, especially those with urinary tract problems. Nowadays, the use of homeopathic remedies seems to be the favored arthritis cats’ treatment, as it is easier to administer at home and have preventative properties as well.

However way you approach the situation, just remember that arthritis in cats is a trying time for your pet cat, more so than you might tell. Giving your pet cat all the love and attention he needs in these trying times does make a lot of difference in helping your cat deal with arthritis better.

Could your cat actually get immediate relief?  Read what cat owners say about this natural remedy in this Arthro IonX review article.

You may benefit from reading this article about feline arthritis pain management for arthritis in cats.

Studies Link Feline Arthritis to Surgical Cat Declawing

Cats walk on their toes.  Your vet may use the term “digitigrade,” but it means the same thing.  When you cat has pain in her toes it causes her to change her gait.

If you ever had a plantar wart on the sole of your foot you can relate to the situation.  Plantar warts are thickened calluses that grow usually on the foot and can be quite tender when pressure is applied.  That tenderness causes you to plant your foot differently when you walk. Perhaps you put your weight on the side of your foot so you don’t apply pressure to the sensitive plantar wart area.

The same thing can happen in cats that have been declawed.  Pain in your cat’s toes causes her to  change to their normal gait.  That difference in weight distribution eventually leads to new pressure points and strain in her hips, spine and legs.  Anyone who has ever experienced prolonged foot pain will understand exactly what I’m describing.

Cat declawing is one of the more controversial issues in feline medicine.  Some owners and vets consider declawing and acceptable procedure, while others consider it an abomination. In fact in some countries, such as the United Kingdom, declawing for anything besides a medical condition is not permitted.

Declawing is an irreversible procedure  that is an amputation of the claw including the cells that cause the claw to grown.  Part of your cat’s terminal toe bone is removed as that hosts the cells that cause the claw to grow.

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) official position regarding cat declawing is that unless it is a medical necessity for the cat or if clawing presents a potential medical risk to its owner(s), declawing should be considered only as a last resort and only after a full understanding of the declaw procedure and alternatives to it have been presented.
For temporary pain relief anti-inflammatory drugs can be administered that will help it to endure more pain. Here’s another idea for treating arthritis in cats naturally. You can also treat her daily without worry of long term side effects.

Help Reduce Your Cat’s Pain Naturally

Unquestionably , most concerns about cat’s claws are only human concerns.  Shredding wrapping paper on packages, plucking furniture and carpet are only a few reasons people give for declawing a cat.  The one reason that really poses a human health problem is that when a kitty inadvertently shreds the thin skin of their aging caregiver.

There are, however, options to try to help out in all these situations.  Cat’s quickly adapt to a scratching post made of help wrapped around a pole and secured to the floor or wall. There are soft vinyl nail caps that where designed by a vet.  They are literally glued onto your cat’s claws.  These “soft claws” are much gentler to Granny’s thin skin when kitty jumps off her lap.

Considering the pain your cat may endure from feline arthritis when she gets older that is just one more darn good argument not to have your cat declawed.  Of course, you can choose these natural remedies to help your kitty’s pain when you give her this all natural arthritis in cats treatment or this homeopathic pain remedy.

More and more of us are opting for natural pet health care for our cats and dogs. Over 13 million Americans are choosing homeopathic and alternative pet care treatment for arthritis in cats. There have always been a number of natural care options that have proven to work for humans. One of these is acupuncture and this is a technique that is beneficial to animals too.
Acupuncture is a very ancient alternative treatment that originated in China. This technique is used to relieve pain. One common source of pain in pets is that of arthritis.

Promaxol is a Natural Pet Treatment for Pain

There are more and more owners of aging dogs and cats making using of acupuncture and for very good reasons. This treatment is completely natural and cannot harm the animal in any way. If the pet owner had to resort to using prescription drugs to treat pain there is a high chance of ill side effects.

Acupuncture for pets leaves no uncomfortable side effects at all. You may be surprised that you pet is actually more comfortable and less anxious during and after an acupuncture treatment. This is reassuring for owners who have no knowledge of acupuncture.

Your Pet’s Acupuncture Session

The thought of needles piercing your beloved pet is associated with pain. However, the acupuncturist is a person highly trained to carry out this technique. These needles are thinner than a hair.

A session could be as quick as a few seconds or last up to about thirty minutes. Your pet could find relief from pain after one or two treatments and all because you know a little of natural pet basics.

Other conditions that have been favorably treated with acupuncture are digestive ailments, neurological complaints, allergies, urinary tract complaints and also asthma.

If you want a non invasive alternative to drugs and surgery then acupuncture could bring relief and improve the well-being of your pet. However, it is necessary for you to understand that acupuncture is not a miracle treatment for any kind of animal illness or condition.

Sometimes, your cat or dog’s medical condition can’t be treated by acupuncture. It could be a condition or illness that is too advanced. It is sensible to have our pet examined by a vet to ascertain whether or not acupuncture is an option.

Your pet doesn’t have to get sick or be in pain to use acupuncture. Acupuncture is something you can use as a preventative tool for better pet care too. The concept behind acupuncture is to keep energy flowing through certain channels in the body. Maintaining the energy flow will make your pet feel calm and contented.

Find out more information about natural pet arthritis treatments for cat and dog health.

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Before your vet decides upon a treatment for feline arthritis,she’ll make sure another disorder isn’t causing your cat problems.  If you cat is limping he may have injured his paw and the issue isn’t feline arthritis. There are some similarities between different disorders, which is why an overall check up will rule out other problems.  Things like radiographs, blood tests and ultrasounds will be taken so the vet can make an accurate diagnosis.

There are several kinds of treatment that can be prescribed. The overall goal is to make sure your cat’s arthritis symptoms are managed or even almost eliminated. Having your cat return to top shape makes you feel better too.  Your kitty returns love more easily when he isn’t hurting. While you don’t mind picking up the cat, you would rather have him jumping into your lap on his own.

There are two substances that are naturally produced in your cat’s body which are glucosamine and chondroitin.  These combine to form major components of your cat’s joint cartilage. Your cat’s body produces less of this as he ages. There are different supplements that can be used to help recreate your cat’s joints, and some cats will even completely regain all of their mobility.

When Omega-3 fatty acids are used, it will help relieve stiffness and pain, as well as lubricate your cat’s joints. Corticosteroids are prescribed to help provide relief for a cat’s arthritis pain. Some people will even try natural remedies, but you have to be careful.  Some treatments like tea tree oil or cayenne may work for humans, but your cat can’t tolerate certain natural substances.  If you go the natural path look for products specifically formulated for cats and dogs, not for human consumption.

Natural Pain Treatment for Feline Arthritis

Whatever treatment for feline arthritis you follow, whether it’s pain-relieving drugs or a natural supplements, there are some things that are necessary to relieve your cat’s pain and suffering. For one, if you are dealing with an overweight cat, he’s going to have to undergo a weight loss program. The excess weight puts extra pressure on the inflamed joints.

Exercise and Weight Loss are Top Treatment for Feline Arthritis

Exercise is difficult for fat cats.  However, the fatter he is the more lethargic he’ll be.  This leads to more stiffness and pain. As he limbers up, your cat will resume his former antics and play. Of course, don’t ask your fatty to do too much at first.  He’s going to have limitations, but cats love to play.  He’s going to love the fact that you are spending more time with him too.

Cats love warm spots in the house.  Cats with arthritis need more warmth to minimize joint pain too. If you have a electric blanket on your bed, leave it on low so he can benefit from the warmth.  A heating pad can help too, just make sure there is a towel or blanket in between your cat and the pad.  Keep this on low too.

What could be better than a gentle massage?  Massage helps keep the blood flowing to muscles and joints.  Use your fingertips to gently massage your cat’s muscles all over, but be careful when you get to the sore areas.  You don’t want to provoke a bite or swat.

Exercise is an effective treatment for feline arthritis. Also consider using natural treatments that you can use long term to minimize your cat’s pain from osteoarthritis.  You can use these on a daily basis without bad side effects or causing problems with other vital organ functions.

* Reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play

* Limping

* Lagging behind on walks

* Difficulty rising from a resting position

* Yelping in pain when touched & resisting being touched

* A personality change because of the pain

There are various medical conditions that can account for Fido’s joint pain. Take a look at some of these descriptions to identify which one best describes your pet’s illness.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, slowly progressing condition that is caused by the breakdown and destruction of your pet’s cartilage. As that occurs, the bony structures begin to rub against one another causing pain and discomfort.

Degenerative Joint Disease involves a breakdown or destruction in portions of the joint, usually cartilage. Just as in the case of osteoarthritis, this condition does not necessarily mean that your pet is experiencing any inflammation.

Hip Dysplasia is characterized by a malformed “ball and joint” socket in your animal. As you might expect, this ill-fitting combination causes a series of complications. Here, chronic inflammation is common; calcium build-ups occur; there is muscle pain; and the tissue in the surrounding areas begins to break down.

Elbow Dysplasia is a like condition that is typically hereditary and most generally found in larger breeds of dogs. Bones become malformed and usually results in “bonechips” that are very painful. Typically, your pet will exhibit some lameness when suffering from this condition.

Knee Dysplasia is also characterized by malformed bones and bone “chips.” It is painful and often obviates itself since the pet is lame and/or limping as the condition progresses.

Knee Stifle Joint typically involves torn ligaments, which cause instability in the joint. Dislocation of the (knee) joint is also a problem. Inflammation is common since this is a joint that is subjected to a lot of stress and strain. In most cases it is a result of poor breeding.

Osteochondrosis is a condition where you are contending with a medical condition that results from poor breeding. Improper or inadequate diet can also cause this condition (both factors may be at play). It is characterized by cartilage deterioration and tissue is generally both inflamed and painful.

Hypertrophic involves excessive bone growth and/or “spurs” on the joints themselves. In such situations, the pet is typically experiencing a lot of pain.

Shoulder degeneration is usually a multi-factorial situation making a clear-cut cause difficult to isolate. An unstable joint, Osteochondrosis or even trauma may be the cause or perhaps a combination of factors.

If one or more of these conditions looks to be affecting your dog, make sure to see your veterinarian. Conventional dog & cat joint pain care involves a routine that is very similar to those suggested for humans, including changing the diet, incorporating regular exercise and taking an anti-inflammatory to ease swelling and pain.

Over the counter drugs such as aspirin may dampen pain, but do nothing to treat your pet’s arthritis. Possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and cramps. Traditional veterinarians might recommend steroidal medicine prescriptions. However, due to the many potential side effects of these drugs, including liver and kidney problems, vomiting, ulcers and excessive urination, more and more pet owners are turning to natural dog joint care. Studies show that natural remedies can be as effective as prescription drugs in alleviating joint and muscle pain, without the potential adverse reactions of these chemical-based drugs.

FlexPet™ is an all-natural Joint Pain Supplement. The primary component of FlexPet is CM8™, which relieves joint pain at its source, reduces inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It has been helpful for many canine sufferers of arthritis and joint pain.

I will get straight to the point on cat arthritis remedy and list some things we can do to help out our feline friends.

Here’s something that will make your cat more comfortable. I am sure you already know that cat arthritis can be very painful.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Use elevated steps to make your pets steps easier

• Use elevated cat bowls for water and feed
• Keep your cat in a warm and dry environment
• Use a heated bed and keep the bed low to the floor
• Monitor your cat’s weight in order to keep your cat from becoming overweight
• Maintain a good exercise routine for your cat

PAIN MEDICATION FROM YOUR VETERINARIAN

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also called NSAID’S. These are non-narcotic pain relievers. Common NSAID’s used are Rimadyl, Etogesic, Meloxicam, Phenybultazone, Ketoprofen,and Piroxicam. Be careful with NSAID’S because there can be harsh side effects to your pet from using these medications. Your vet will want to closely monitor your cat if they are on these medications.

Because there can be serious side effects of your cat taking these medication consider other options.

CAT ARTHRITIS REMEDY

Besides pain, inflammation of our cat’s joints is an issue we can deal with Omega 3 fatty acids found in items like wild salmon and fish help reduce inflammation in our cat’s joints. Therefore, increase your cat’s intake of these beneficial fatty acids.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT HOME REMEDIES

Home remedies have some great benefits over canine arthritis medication.

Saves money on vet bills Reduces the chance of harmful side effects Most are readily available in your home already Well tolerated by our four legged friends Can also be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment Are especially useful in mild cases of illnesses and ailments

For other great information on pet illnesses and home remedies read on through the last paragraph and click on the links. Great secrets await that will help with caring for your pets and saving mega bucks on vet bills.

Just as with humans, feline aging comes with its share of issues. One of the most common diseases is feline arthritis. This is why additional steps are necessary for feline arthritis pain management.

You Can Help Relieve the Pain of Feline Arthritis

The bottom line is that feline arthritis is a disease that is centered on the joints. There are different types, and they range from osteoarthritis, bacterial arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. It can cause a significant amount of pain, stiffness and swelling. The causes can be due to trauma or infection in the joints, degenerative changes in her skeletal structure and possibly even metabolic disturbances.

Obesity Contributes to the Advance of Feline Arthritis

Generally, arthritis pain in cats sets in when they reach nine years. However, if you have a three to four year old fatty cat, she may develop osteoarthritis at a younger age. It will vary on the cat, but it doesn’t normally start as soon as a 60-pound dog, because larger animals put more stress on their bodies. However, obesity, stress or trauma can bring about this disease sooner than desired.

At first, the arthritis cats symptoms may show up just every now and then. An animal may only limp mildly after it’s gone through a lengthy exercise. The stairs may not be as easy as before and jumping efforts fail or are clumsy.

If you have a fat cat, the kindest thing you can do is to control her calorie intake and help her drop some ounces or pounds. Your cat relies on you for proper food habits, so its time to curb the treat and snacks that are fattening up kitty.

Ask you vet about a cat food higher in protein, but lean on fat. This helps keep the excess body fat and weight in check, and there are certain products that fulfill this requirement.

Find a nutritional supplement for your cat that works to decrease joint inflammation brought on by feline arthritis. They stimulate the growth and repair of already damaged cartilage and increase joint fluid development.

At this point, a homeopathic food supplement may prove to be most effective as it is easy to add to your cat’s food or water. It is all possible that these supplements will slow down the progression of feline arthritis

If your cat has reached the mid-level stage of arthritis, then it’s consistently dealing with feline arthritis pain. It becomes even harder to rise from lying down, and there’s noticeable difficulty in jumping and trying stairs.

Last Resort: Steroids for Treating Feline Arthritis

The development of muscle atrophy could occur in the gluteal and thigh muscles. Treatment should be the same as when you first notice arthritis, but there may be addition of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication. They tend to decrease the joint pain and lower inflammation. Seek out your veterinarian’s advice before changing out medications. If your cat progresses to an advanced stage she may require a powerful feline arthritis pain management prescription medication like a steroid drug.

Watching your old kitty limp up the stairs drives home the fact that she’s not getting younger. She is probably showing signs of feline arthritis and not moving like she used to. Just as with humans, feline aging comes with its share of issues. One of the most common diseases is feline arthritis. This is why additional steps are necessary for feline arthritis pain management.

The bottom line is that feline arthritis is a disease that is centered on the joints. The different types of arthritis cats diseases are bacterial arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It can cause a significant amount of pain, stiffness and swelling. The causes can be due to trauma or infection in the joints, degenerative changes in her skeletal structure and possibly even metabolic disturbances.

Generally, arthritis pain in cats sets in when they reach nine years. However, grossly overweight cats around 3-4 may develop feline osteoarthritis too. It will vary on the cat, but it doesn’t normally start as soon as a 60-pound dog, because larger animals put more stress on their bodies. However, obesity, stress or trauma can bring about this disease sooner than desired.

At first, the arthritis cats symptoms may show up just every now and then. An animal may only limp mildly after it’s gone through a lengthy exercise. The stairs may not be as easy as before and jumping efforts fail or are clumsy.

If you have a fat cat, the kindest thing you can do is to control her calorie intake and help her drop some ounces or pounds. As the pet care giver, you must also be aware that continuous indulging of certain treats or excessive food won’t help your cat live longer.

Ask you vet about a cat food higher in protein, but lean on fat. This helps keep the excess body fat and weight in check, and there are certain products that fulfill this requirement.

Use Supplements to Decrease Joint Inflammation Caused by Feline Arthritis

Find a nutritional supplement for your cat that works to decrease joint inflammation brought on by feline arthritis. They stimulate the growth and repair of already damaged cartilage and increase joint fluid development.

At this point, a homeopathic food supplement may prove to be most effective as it is easy to add to your cat’s food or water. It is all possible that these supplements will slow down the progression of feline arthritis

If your cat has reached the mid-level stage of arthritis, then it’s consistently dealing with feline arthritis pain. It becomes even harder to rise from lying down, and there’s noticeable difficulty in jumping and trying stairs.

The development of muscle atrophy could occur in the gluteal and thigh muscles. Treatment should be the same as when you first notice arthritis, but there may be addition of a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication. They tend to decrease the joint pain and lower inflammation. However, make sure to only use them with the approval of your veterinarian. If your cat progresses to an advanced stage she may require a powerful feline arthritis pain management prescription medication like a steroid drug.