https://www.happygardencbd.com/
FREE USA SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $49 OR MORE

Home Remedies for Cat Joint Pain – 5 Ways to Help Your Cat Heal

HEMP Products » Blog » Home Remedies for Cat Joint Pain – 5 Ways to Help Your Cat Heal
cat sick

Cat arthritis is a frequent disease that causes unpleasant movement and aching joints. Your cat may feel terrible, which surely will be expressed in its changing habits. Unfortunately, cat arthritis cannot be cured, but some things may reduce the symptoms and help your cat feel better.

Traditional pharmaceuticals are frequently used to address these aches. But many people have found natural remedies for pain relief, and CBD is one of them. Cannabidiol is well known to offer a variety of advantages for people, and supplements containing CBD may also aid cats by easing joint discomfort.

You can learn more about how using CBD for your cat’s joint discomfort might benefit them in this educational guide from Happy Garden

However, if you notice that your cat is moving more slowly or exhibiting signs of pain, we advise that you schedule a visit with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Arthritis in Cat – Reasons & Signs

If you experience the symptoms of joint pain in your cat, don’t worry because arthritis in cats is very common. Variables including injury, genetic composition, infection, immunological illness, and cancer can also impact the development of this disease.

One of the most common reasons for it is that there is constant instability in the joints. Any joint in the body can be affected by arthritis. However, the elbows, hips, and spine are the joints most frequently afflicted in cats.

Since cats often don’t limp when they have arthritis, it can be much more difficult to detect joint discomfort in cats than it is in dogs. Cats typically alter their behavior. 

To identify if your cat suffers from joint pain or not, you may observe the following signs: 

  • Reluctance to jump up or down
  • Reduced moving
  • Irritability
  • Inactivity
  • Stiffness in the legs
  • Less time is spent on their grooming
  • Inability to jump higher
  • Increased sleep time

Causes of Cat Arthritis

What are the reasons arthritis develops, and can we avoid it or not? Knowing what may cause the disease can be somehow helpful for cat owners. Avoiding specific disorders is easier when you know what may cause them. However, some of them may be avoided while some of them may not. 

Here are the main causes of cat arthritis:

  • Obesity may exacerbate arthritis, even though there is no scientific proof that it causes the ailment.
  • Cartilage surrounding joints may be affected by abnormal hip development.
  • Arthritis can develop if a cat sustains a joint fracture or other joint damage.
  • As the cat ages, the joints might become weaker.
  • There is a higher chance of arthritis in some cat breeds. Siamese, Persian, Scottish Fold, and Maine Coon cats are the ones who exhibit this the most frequently.

How Can You Treat a Cat Joint Pain?

Controlling arthritis begins with scheduling a visit with your veterinarian for a thorough clinical assessment. To accurately compile a history and provide hints that your cat could be uncomfortable, you must carefully observe your cat at home.

Blood tests and radiography are frequently required to diagnose your cat’s joint problems precisely and to check for any possible concurrent disorders. Then, a special plan might be created for that person’s unique situation.

The different medical therapies that can be provided while arthritis may include:

  • Pharmaceuticals for osteoarthritis that treat the disease: These drugs are administered by a series of injections. They serve to rebuild joint cartilage, stabilize joint membranes, and enhance joint lubrication.
  • Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs: Since cats are more susceptible to certain NSAIDs than other animals, it’s crucial only to utilize those that your veterinarian has recommended. They function by significantly lowering pain and inflammation around the joints.
  • Prescription diets: These are prescription diets or dietary supplements that include substances like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, fish oils, and/or green-lipped mussels.
  • Photobiomodulation or cold laser treatment (PBMT).  A tiny device that generates therapeutic light waves can be moved across your pet’s body, on top of their fur, by a veterinarian during this non-invasive and painless procedure.
  • Drugs that reduce pain. In situations where non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are either inappropriate or insufficient, cats may occasionally be administered painkillers.
  • Acupuncture. Even though there is research on acupuncture for feline arthritis, some cats may benefit from it.
  • Joint protection injections. This procedure lessens arthritic discomfort. Every four weeks or so, the cat receives injections of glycosaminoglycans from the veterinarian.

Keep in mind that all arthritis patients, including our little picky friends, should have a professional diagnosis before starting a treatment plan. Therefore, you must first take your cat to the veterinarian before taking any action.

Top 5 Home Remedies for Cat Joint Pain

If the condition of your cat isn’t that severe or you cannot take them to the vet, there are widely used methods of treating arthritis that might help you avoid possible health complications for your cat.

  1. Nutritional supplements

In cats with mild to severe arthritis, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, SAM-e, and Omega 3 fatty acids can all help decrease inflammation and lessen discomfort. Oral or injectable joint support medicines and fish oil-based Omega fatty acids naturally reduce inflammation and maintain cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues from the inside out.

  1. Cannabidiol supplements

Pet owners are increasingly using cannabidiol in their daily lives and are acknowledging more and more benefits of the substance for their little friends. CBD, an anti-psychoactive substance found in hemp and cannabis plants, helps lessen arthritis pain by reducing inflammation.

Scientific evidence also supports this claim. However, more research is needed to wholly discover all the benefits of CBD. How can cannabidiol help the disease? It directly influences the painful area and alerts the brain to pain when it notices damage to the neurons and cells that make up our central nervous system.

Here are some of the scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of cannabidiol for arthritis:

  • A 2016 study observed that giving mice with arthritis 6.2 mg of CBD topical gel daily reduced their discomfort and inflammation.
  • A study from 2017 demonstrates that in animals with osteoarthritis, CBD may decrease pain and inflammation.
  • A 2015 study has also suggested that cannabidiol may reduce pain and inflammation in arthritis-affected rats.
  •  A 2020 study claimed that CBD reduces the symptoms of arthritis by eliminating the cells that generate inflammation.
  1. Changes in the environment & lifestyle

An excellent place to start is by providing more pleasant living conditions for cats with arthritis. For instance, make it simple for him to access his preferred sleeping and relaxing spaces. 

Make sure that your cat has a cozy, warm bed that is not near any drafts. Provide low-sided cat litter pans for easy access and to reduce accidents while using the bathroom. Try to adopt all the conditions for your cat to make it easier for it to live on daily basis.

  1. Healthy diet

The most crucial element of handling any arthritic animal is weight management. Obesity may not cause arthritis, but it will probably worsen the condition. Animals who are overweight will put proportionally greater weight on their joints, leading to more localized inflammation of the joints. As a result, it will speed up the development of arthritis and cause more pain for your cat.

That’s why you should control your cat’s weight and must gradually decrease its weight, if necessary, to avoid metabolic issues. You may help your cat lose weight by giving them a high-quality, whole-meat-based, and grain-free diet. 

Additionally, you should encourage your cat to get some modest activity each day. Avoid inflammatory foods, especially those high in carbohydrates like low-quality commercial dry kibbles.

  1. Herbs

Numerous herbs can treat your cat’s arthritis, but it’s crucial to consult with an integrative or holistic vet before giving your cat any herbal treatments. However, natural treatments are always preferred since they will most probably have fewer negative side effects. 

Some widely used herbs include Tumeric, Curcuma, and Boswellia. They are known to be very effective anti-inflammatories. Some of the Chinese herbs are typically sold in mixed regimens and can also be helpful for arthritic diseases.

Tips to Help Your Cat Heal from Arthritis

Additional tips alongside your treatment plans are always necessary. It might be difficult to wholly adapt the environment to your cat’s needs, but do as much as possible, and you’ll soon notice the relief of your cat’s suffering. 

The following tips might help you fight symptoms of arthritis in your cat. 

  • Provide a ramp up to areas cats prefer to relax, such as your bed, a couch, or a window seat.
  • While they are sleeping, a supportive orthopedic bed or one composed of memory foam helps to support and cushion their joints.
  • Provide a litter box with a low side for accessibility.
  • Assisting them to keep a healthy weight to alleviate the strain on their joints
  • Grooming uses delicate brushes.
  • Give your cat tuna as a treat as it’s beneficial for your cat’s overall health.

Final Thoughts

The majority of cats don’t show overt symptoms of arthritis. Even when they are in agony, they tend to disguise it. Considering our suggestions may help you discover the disease in its early stages and avoid possible complications. 

Remember that using natural supplements like CBD products may be a better option for your cat, but the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. 

Why are Happy Garden CBD products reliable alternative treatments for arthritis? 

Happy Garden exclusively produces cannabidiol products, especially for cats. Most importantly, all of our products have certifications proving they are free of impurities or pollutants and have undergone independent testing. All CBD tinctures, creams & balms, or oils are effective ways of treating arthritis. It’s all up to you which one to choose. 

We hope this article helped you decide on the proper treatment for your cat. However, for additional information, do not hesitate to contact us anytime. 

Related Posts
Here’s your first 5% off

    Get your 25%