Hayashi: Tips for your cat’s arthritis

Generally speaking, arthritis is an illness found in older felines. It can also be found in younger cats, but then we are talking about inheriting a genetic component from a parent.

What can you do to prevent the disease or lessen its severity? Adjusting your cat’s environment and prompt medical attention are the first steps.

Also, recognizing symptoms of arthritis is key. Felines do well masking their symptoms when they are ill — that is just their nature. By the time we see symptoms of limping, moving slower, hesitation in jumping and a failure to groom, we may be talking about an advanced stage.

Never use over-the-counter pain meds without consulting your veterinarian. Most veterinarians control arthritis with anti-inflammatory drugs to control swelling and stiffness. Cortisone and Cosequin or Dasquin are usually prescribed to work as a team to control arthritis.

Also, control your cat’s diet. It is no secret that overweight felines are at risk for joint damage. Once you have diagnosed and medicated your cat, you can take the next logical step and alter the way your feline moves about the house.

Pet steps are no longer just used to help a large dog in and out of the car. They can be used in front of the couch or window perch to assist your cat in getting to high places. There are many carpeted ones available that are neutral to blend in with any home decor. Petmate makes a 20-inch high step that is only $39.99.

Bedding may need to be adjusted as well. As our felines age, they need softer bedding to protect the joints, so go ahead and pop for that plush $50 bed.

You may also have to rethink where the litter box is kept. As our feline ages it needs easy access. I found a unique-designed litter box at PetSmart that my older and smaller cats gravitate to. Three sides are high and one side is low for easy step-in.

If you cannot find this box, or you think it is too small, cross over to the dog training aisle where the wee-wee pads are located. There should be a puppy training box that provides the same concept. All big-box pet stores carry them.

The puppy box may provide more sizing options for height of the walls. The puppy training box comes in medium and extra large, which also has a low, easy step-in.

Prevention is key to preventing bone damage. Keep your feline inside at all times to prevent avoidable joint damage.

AdoptablesBuster is a dark blue and white Maine coon mix that is about 9 years old. He is an unusually large feline, weighing in at 23 pounds. This guy is a gentle giant. Buster enjoys the distinction of being a sponsored feline. When a cat is sponsored, a generous person has already paid part of his adoption fee.Anyone who adopts Buser must send The Buddy Foundation a note and a photo within two weeks of the adoption. We will then forward this information to the person who originally sponsored Buster. If you want to pay Buster#146;s adoption fee, you can sponsor another lucky feline at the shelter.Buster became a sponsored feline because his sponsor felt sorry for him when he had an emergency need for TBF to take him in. He lost his home when his owner died without family members to take Buster.Thomasena is also a blue and white Maine coon mix. She is about 11. She has the opposite weight problem. We can#146;t keep enough weight on her, so we feed her extra canned cat food. Thomasena is sweet and docile. She gets along great with other cats, but she needs to be fed separately so her food intake can be monitored. She is so unaggressive about food she tends to not get her share.Building NeedsWe are always low on clumping litter, but lately the donations of kitten and canned cat food has lessened. We are currently anticipating a greater need once kitten season arrives. Please assist us with supplies or donations if you can.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights; or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 29302420Thomasena