Treatments for Arthritis in Cats

Arthritis is a very painful disease that affects cats just like it affects dogs. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many options out there in terms of medications for arthritic cats.Is the arthritis in the hip joint? If so, there is a surgical procedure that can be done that removes the hip joint and the cat will form a false joint. If not, medications may be the only answer.

You should definitely keep your cat on the glucosamine liquid, but other things need to be added. Steroid shots may help, but only temporarily. When used long-term they unfortunately have bad side effects.

how cats end up homeless

Someone must love cats – after all, by pure numbers – they are man’s best friends. There are 86.4 million pet cats in the United States, compared to 78.2 million pet dogs according to the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 survey. (Learn more about pet statistics in our gallery of infographics.) Still, far too many cats end up in shelters each year. And when pets are lost, far fewer cats are ever returned to their people when compared to dogs (ASPCA).

So how could any cat, even yours, end up in a shelter some day?

1) Cats Get Lost, Even Indoor-Only Cats

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy 1997 survey (NCPPSP), only 35% of cats that ended up in shelters were relinquished by owners. People sometimes assume that because their cat is indoors, kitty will never get out, therefore never get lost. Dr. Linda Lord at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has studied the issue. She’s demonstrated that indoor cats do get out. In one community she found that about 40 percent of lost cats were identified as indoor cats. (AVMA)

Once outdoors, most cats either hide or run for their lives. The lucky ones are obviously found, or the next best thing is that they find themselves at an animal shelter. Others may have a difficult time finding food, may need to deal with very cold or very hot weather, fend off savvier outdoor cats, or may lose their lives to coyotes, birds of prey or cars.

Lord reported finding that nearly half of the lost cats she studied were never found and only 7% of cat parents who recovered their pet found him or her at the shelter.

2) Microchipping Can Help, But Only If The Chip Information Is Up-to-Date

One savior for pets is the microchip. Another study by Lord highlighted in Ohio State University’s Research News, showed that shelters were able to locate owners for 72.7% of stray pets who were microchipped. [Editor’s note: The same study found that microchipped cats who came into the shelter as strays were twenty times more likely to be reunited with their families than unchipped cats.)

While microchip numbers for cats in recent years has skyrocketed, cats started from pretty much ground zero. So, despite the trend – most cats remain without a microchip. The Petfinder, the ASPCA and others now endorse that cats also wear a collar with an ID as a secondary form of identification, but that idea has yet to catch on with most cat parents.

SPAY-NEUTER

There are plenty of reasons to spay and neuter your pets. Yes, having your pet “fixed” prevents unwanted litters. But there are many other incentives as well, including your pet’s health and happiness.
These routine surgeries typically cost up to $200, depending on the vet and the facility. However, more affordable options are available to pet owners through lower-cost spay/neuter programs and clinics.

most hazard things in home for cats

how to welcome your cat in your home

Congratulations! You have just begun a relationship that’s bound to be filled with fun and affection. By starting off on the right foot, you can cut short that rocky adjustment period most new relationships go through.

Go slowly at first. A new cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. Save meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until the cat is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule.

Offer her a safe place to hide while she gets her bearings. She’ll appreciate the chance to observe her new family’s routine from a small, dark space or one high above the action.

Bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption.

Provide the same diet she had at the shelter at least for the first week or two. If you wish to switch to a different flavor or brand, slowly make the switch over one to two weeks, starting with a quarter ration of the new food mixed into the old favorite. From there, up the ratio of new to old about 10% each day.

Set up a litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area. Unsure of what litter to use? The majority of cats prefer fine grain clumping litter. Try that first unless the new adoptee is so young that she is in the litter-eating stage. Non-clumping litter is recommended for kittens under ten weeks of age.

four cute fat cat