Arthritis in Cats | Symptoms and Treatment
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Arthritis in cats, also known as feline arthritis, is very common in cats, particularly as they get older.
The signs of arthritis can be very subtle and hard for us to detect.
Therefore, cat owners need to look out for the signs or symptoms so we can help our cats remain comfortable.
Feline arthritis is not dangerous or fatal but can be discomforting for your older cat.
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Arthritis in Cats
Cats can develop arthritis in their hips, elbows, lower back and knees.
A normal cat has cartilage that acts as a buffer around each joint which creates a cushion around the bones that form the joint.
When the joint becomes damaged, the cartilage is destroyed and the result is the bones rubbing together since there is no cushion between the joints.
When this occurs, the cat will become arthritic.
Although less common in cats, when arthritis does occur, it tends to affect the elbow joint the most.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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Symptoms of Arthritis in Cats
Cats that suffer from arthritis will demonstrate the following symptoms:
- Lethargic
- Joints swell
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Decreased flexibility
- Decreased activity
- Trouble getting in and out of the litterbox
- Hesitant to jump or climb
- Behavioral changes – anxious and restless
- Difficulty sleeping or finding a comfortable sleeping position
Causes of Arthritis in Cats
There are a few reasons why cats become arthritic:
- Aging – the joints naturally degenerate and become less flexible.
- Injury – dislocation or infection of the joint.
- Extra weight – the excess weight can cause strain on a cat’s joints.
- Congenital abnormalities – any abnormality in a joint can be a factor such as hip dysplasia.
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Arthritis Diagnosis
Make sure to take your cat to the vet if you see any of the symptoms of arthritis.
Your vet will usually conduct a full physical exam, take radiographs and other diagnostic tests.
The tests will help your vet locate where the pain is in your cat and if the joints are inflamed.
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Cost and Treatment of Cat Arthritis
Arthritis, once it sets in, is not curable but your veterinarian can give you some treatment options to minimize the pain such as:
- Prescription pain medications
- Nutritional supplements to help restore the cartilage
- Tips for weight loss if the cat is overweight
- Minimal exercise is encouraged in arthritic cats
- Surgery, if the joint has lost cartilage due to a torn ligament or dislocated knee cap
If you want to make sure your cat exercises a little, short play sessions should be OK.
Any jumping or vigorous play should be avoided.
The on-going medication could cost anywhere from $25 to $100 a month.
In extreme cases, your cat might have to have surgery which could cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Cat Pet Insurance for Arthritis
While feline arthritis is not that expensive to treat, pet insurance can save you on your prescription costs as well as other non-invasive treatments like acupuncture and massage.
Healthy Paws, for example, includes alternative therapy treatments, in all their plans.
If your vet does prescribe pain medication, your cat’s blood and urine might need to be monitored to make sure that your cat’s kidneys and liver are still functioning properly.
These ongoing diagnostic tests can add up and pet insurance will offset the cost.
Make sure that you sign up with pet insurance before the arthritis is considered pre-existing.
In fact, pet insurance can help offset the cost of many common health conditions in cats.
Arthritis Management
If your cat has arthritis, there are many things you can do to make your cat comfortable:
- Make sure her bed is cozy and comfortable.
- Massage the joints that are arthritic
- Help groom the parts of her body that she can’t with a soft brush
- Make sure her access to the litterbox is easy (you can remove the top)
- Easy access to food and water bowls
While feline arthritis can be uncomfortable for your cat, it can be managed.
As always, if your cat is getting worse or shows more severe signs of pain, take your cat to the vet for further diagnosis.
If you want to take a look at pet insurance before any illness or injury occurs with your cat, our top cat insurance companies is a great place to start!
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We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.
Learn more about common cat health problems:
Arthritis in Cats, Cancer in Cats, Declawing Cats, Diabetes in Cats, Eye Infection in Cats, Hypoallergenic Cats, Hyperthyroidism in Cats, Overweight Cats, Vomiting Cats
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Melanie Musson is a fourth-generation insurance professional with expertise in state-specific car insurance laws, dynamics, and a broad understanding of insurance’s role in people’s lives. Her background contributes to the site’s insurance-related content.
Why is Dr. Pippa Elliott, a veterinarian, mentioned on an insurance-related page?
Dr. Pippa Elliott is a veterinarian who likely contributes insights on topics related to pet insurance, particularly in this case, addressing arthritis in cats. Her expertise adds a veterinary perspective to the information provided.
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What is the significance of the “Table of Contents” and why is it included?
The “Table of Contents” provides an organized structure for users to navigate through the content easily. It highlights key sections related to arthritis in cats and pet insurance, improving the overall user experience.
Why is pet insurance mentioned in the context of arthritis in cats, and how can it be beneficial?
While feline arthritis is not excessively expensive to treat, pet insurance can save on prescription costs and cover non-invasive treatments like acupuncture. It can also offset ongoing diagnostic test costs, providing financial support for common health conditions in cats.
What should users consider regarding pet insurance and pre-existing conditions?
Users are advised to sign up for pet insurance before conditions like arthritis are considered pre-existing. Doing so ensures coverage for potential future health issues and helps manage the costs associated with diagnosis and treatment.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.