What is a cat joint supplement?
Don’t we all want our cats to live happy and active lives? While we cannot prevent our furry friends from contracting certain diseases, such as osteoarthritis, we can take steps to alleviate some of the manifestations, such as joint pain and inflammation.
Identifying the source of your cat’s joint pain and inflammation, as well as mobility issues, gives you the advantage of knowing how to assist them in dealing with the underlying issues. A method widely reported as effective in relieving joint pain and inflammation in cats, as well as preventing the onset of problems that cause cat joint pain, is the use of cat joint supplements.
A cat joint supplement is a natural medicine that can help relieve joint pain and discomfort in cats. Supplements for cats’ joints frequently contain ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which are natural cartilage building blocks that help cats’ joint mobility and comfort.
Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is a fundamental building block of the molecules that attract and hold water in the cartilage of joints. This ingredient works well with chondroitin to promote water retention in the cartilage, which is necessary for joint shock absorption. Glucosamine also promotes heart health in cats. Chondroitin inhibits enzymes found in white blood cells that damage cartilage.
Careful — cats tolerate drugs differently!
Given the differences in how cats handle and tolerate drugs, every cat parent must exercise caution when administering any medication, even if it is the most praised joint supplement for cats, such as Antinol for cats. What works for one cat may not work for another or may be harmful to the cat’s health in general!
In general, there are fewer and more effective joint pain medications available for cats than for dogs. Keeping this in mind when using any joint supplement for cats should be a rule that every cat parent should always adhere to.
Benefits of joint supplements for cats
Joint supplements for cats have several goals, including maintaining joint health, reducing pain and inflammation, and repairing damaged cartilage. A good cat joint supplement will aid in injury recovery, increase range of motion, reduce arthritis-related pain and inflammation, and maintain the overall health of the cat’s joints.
Supplements for cats’ joints help to lower the felines’ overall mortality risk. Regular use of cat joint supplements containing veterinary-guided combinations of glucosamine and chondroitin in the formulation has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of death in cats. This is because these two ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties.
Aside from glucosamine and chondroitin, a good joint supplement for cats will include green-lipped mussel (GLM), which is an anti-inflammatory agent that assists in joint stiffness relief. GLM also provides essential amino acids, as well as valuable enzymes and minerals, to cats.
How cat joint supplements can be harmful to your cat
Even the most highly praised joint supplement for cats can turn harmful if not administered appropriately, including by giving overdoses or not adhering to a veterinarian’s instructions.
Overdosing of cat joint supplements, including cat arthritis supplements, may cause vomiting, restlessness and hyperactivity, increased thirst, increased urination, elevated blood pressure, tremors, and seizures. There have been reported cases where overdosing or self-prescribing supplements for cats’ joints has led to the affected cats’ deaths.
As a precaution, never administer your own pain medication or even pet aspirin to your cat without first discussing it with your veterinarian. Don’t be part of the list of the many well-intentioned cat owners who have done this and seriously injured their cats or complicated their care.
Want tips to keep your cat happy, healthy, and safe?
As with any change in your cat’s diet or lifestyle, never make decisions about administering a supplement to your cat before consulting your veterinarian.
Cat arthritis supplements, for example, are particularly nuanced in terms of both their health benefits and the probable harmful consequences of improper use. Speaking with a veterinarian can help guide you in determining whether a certain supplement is right for your cat.