Before we know about homemade cat food for Arthritis, we need to know what Arthritis is. Well, when a fault occurs in the immune system, that causes the body to attack its tissues in the joints. This may be inherited genetically. Other forms of Arthritis can be caused by problems with the immune system or by a metabolic condition, such as gout.
Cats have Arthritis from lifetime running, jumping, climbing, and the scarcity of bone joint jelly. Senior and super senior cats are prone to be affected by Arthritis. When bone joint mobility is decreased, cats feel pain in joints and face difficulties in walking, running, and climbing.
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Some common factors for Arthritis
There are so many reasons behind Arthritis. Those are:
- Obesity
The most common reason for Arthritis is obesity. When a cat gets obese, the bone joint can’t tolerate the increased weight.
- Genetics
All cats are not prone to Arthritis in the same. Some cat breeds have an increased risk of diabetes. When the hips or cartilage increases abnormally, those cat breeds get sick with Arthritis, such as Maine Coon, Persian, Scottish Fold, and Siamese cat breeds.
- Wear and tear
The bone joints become weaker. It is a big reason for Arthritis.
- Injury
A joint fracture or injury can cause Arthritis.
- Abnormalities
Sometimes the hip develops abnormally and leads to Arthritis.
The symptoms of Arthritis
The bone joints of your cat’s body are attached to fluid and cartilage. When cats have Arthritis, the fluid and cartilage are decreased. The smooth surface gets worse, and friction occurs between them. This is called Arthritis. The symptoms are described below:
- Difficulty going up and downstairs.
- They hesitate to jump up or down.
- They get limped.
- Stiffness in legs after resting and sleeping.
- Litter box issues.
- Get irritated.
- Activity level is low, and more sleeping and napping.
- Non-interest in their grooming.
- When they jump, the height level is low.
Types of homemade cat food for Arthritis
There are 2 types of homemade cat food for arthritis you should provide your cat suffering from Arthritis. The food types are-
- Wet cat food.
- Dry cat food.
The necessary supplements for cats with Arthritis
As you know, Arthritis is a severe health problem in cats, so some necessary ingredients are mandatory for cat food for Arthritis. The ingredients are:
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
They cherish the bones, hips, and bones. Glucosamine supports the production of Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within cartilage. When GAGs are reduced, joints come under stress and connective tissues are broken down.
- Protein
You know very well that protein is important for all cats of all ages. It is made from amino acids and maintains the strength of muscles.
- Fat
Fat provides energy and fatty acids to the body. Cat’s bodies can’t produce fatty acids in their bodies. So, it is essential to receive fatty acids from external sources.Omega-3 and omega-6 are the prime fatty acids for a cat’s body and are very important for brain development, the nervous system, eye vision, and the best hearing power.
- Pro-biotics
This ingredient is helpful for the digestive system and gastrointestinal health.
more Necessary Supplements For Cats With Arthritis
- Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals improve health and fulfil the nutritional demands of a cat’s body. Senior cats need a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals to maintain their health.
- L-carnitine
The metabolism process gets slow in the sunset of a cat’s life. L-carnitine increases the metabolism process and expels fats to be deposited.
- CBD oil (Cannabidiol)
It is helpful for joints and reduces pain and inflammation of joints. CBD oil has rare side effects are available in capsule form.
- Green-lipped Mussels
It is one kind of seafood. And, it has antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties.
- Hyaluronic acid
It is a natural compound that retains the consistency of the cat’s joint fluid. That means it holds the lubricants in the cat’s bone joints.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
It is also one kind of supplement that is used with Glusamine and Chrontroidin. MSM has several benefits, such as anti-occidental and anti-inflammatory, and it strengthens connective tissue.
- Boswellia
It has other names. Its herbal name- is Boswellia Sereta, and its Indian name is Frankincense. The function of Boswellia is as usual. It is helpful for bone health, reduces inflammation, and improves blood flow. It is available in powder forms and blood flow.
Do cats need special food or supplements for Arthritis?
Cats live a life of 15-20 years. In some cases, the lifetime can be up to 25 years. So, they’re usually prone to chronic diseases such as feline Arthritis. Senior cats are prone to get sick from Arthritis. Normally, cats the age of 10 years are considered seniors, and all the signs are shown by the age of 12. At this senior age, they become obese as their physical activity decreases at these ages and they stay most of the time indoors.
You know what? Arthritis is related to the body weight of cats. If the body is heavy, then it keeps the legs under pressure. So, a proper diet can that is specially designed for older cats can maintain the flexibility and mobility of their bone joints and a slim and sleek body. Slim cats also can lose muscle tone.
Some best food and supplement brands as Homemade cat food for Arthritis
Honest Paws Well CBD Oils cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredient is Cannabidiol (CBD). Very good for the cat’s joint and bone health. Each dose contains 4 mg of CBD. You need to consult a vet before using it.
Canidae Goodness for Joints Adult Dry cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredient is Salmon. No wheat, corn, or Soya in this food. Enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin, and Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Honest Paws Calm CBD Soft Chews as homemade cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredient is full-spectrum hemp oil. The supplement is available in delicious chewable form. It is also helpful for the nervous system of your cat. It keeps your cat relaxed and breaks anxiety. Also enriched with silvervine, passionflower, and chamomile flower.
WELLNESS Complete Heath Senior Cat Food for Arthritis
A complete chicken meal and grain-free. Also enriched with Protein, Glucosamine, Chondroitin, L-carnitine, Vitamins, and Minerals.
Vetri-science GlycoFlex Joint Supplement as homemade cat food for Arthritis
This is an exact product for your cat if he is suffering from joint and bone health. It also helps to maintain the synovial fluid and reduces inflammation in bone joints.
IAMS Proactive Health Senior Cat Food For Arthritis
The pet food is enriched with chicken, chicken by-product meal that is sourced with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, L-carnitine, taurine, vitamins, and minerals.
Pet Naturals- Hip + Joint cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredients are Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Perna Canaliculus, and MSM. A perfect supplement for cats of all sizes. If your cat is facing problems running, jumping, and playing due to hip and joint problems, then the supplement is a good choice for your cats.
BLUE-BUFFALO Natural Veterinary Diet K+M cat food for Arthritis
This pet food contains deboned chicken, protein, chicken fat, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, cranberry, fish oil, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamins, and minerals as its main ingredients.
Super Snouts Joint Power Powder Joint Supplements cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredient is green-lipped Mussels harvested in New Zealand. 100% Natural product contains no fillers or synthetic products. Keeps your cat healthy and maintains his mobility, and is soothing for your cat’s joints.
MERRICK grain-free Indoor Senior cat food for Arthritis
This pet food primarily contains deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, glucosamine, chondroitin, antioxidants, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals as its main ingredients. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphates are 700 mg per kg.
Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil cat food for Arthritis
By hearing the name, you can gaze easily that its main ingredient is wild Salmon fish caught in Alaska, USA. Fish oil improves bone and joint health and keeps the cat’s coats and furs shiny, healthy, and glossy. Also helpful for the immune system and digestive health. Your cat will like the flavour and taste of the product.
Halo Grain-free Senior cat food for Arthritis
The main ingredients are chicken and chicken liver, flaxseeds, potato, soya protein concentrate, calcium, salmon oil, blueberry, cranberry, chondroitin, glucosamine, L-carnitine, vitamins, and minerals. The bag contains 6 lbs, and glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate are 700 mg per kg.
Nature-Vet Hip and Joint Soft Chews cat food for Arthritis
It is made from an advanced formula. A chewable supplement that is great for your older and Arthritis cat. Apply the formula blended with antioxidants to your kitty if it is suffering from joint pain and facing difficulties moving because of stiffer bone muscles. The formula wards off damaging radicals which can cause harm to your cat.
Top 3 cat food for Arthritis for older cats
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Feline Mobility Canned cat food for Arthritis
A clinically proven food that improves your cat’s mobility in 28 days. It fulfils all the nutrition that your cat needs in the sunset years of his life.
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Aging 12+ cat food for Arthritis
A perfect balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Best served with dry food.
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Feline Mobility Dry cat food for Arthritis
A clinically proven diet. It improves the cat’s mobility in 28 days and maintains weight so that the stress on your cat’s bones is decreased. Glucosamine, chondroitin, L-carnitine, antioxidant, vitamins, and minerals support the whole immune system.
Homemade food for older cats with Arthritis
Commercial cat food is very good for your cat that is suffering from Arthritis. But if you have enough time and energy, and if you want to save money, then you may make food at home for your cats. Any recipe you can pick after consulting with the veterinarian. I am suggesting you use some ingredients in your cat’s homemade food. They’ll be helpful for your cat’s Arthritis pain.Those are-
- Animal-based protein
You know very well that cats are flesh-eaters. So, they must need animal protein such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish, tuna, pork, turkey and other birds, venison, and body parts of beef and chicken. So, animal protein is essential for cat food.
- Fish oil
It is proven by research that if cats with Arthritis consume fish oil, then they remain more active. Fish oil is full of omega-3 fatty acids. It reduces joint inflammation. Fish oil also adds fat and calorie to your cat’s diet. You should avoid cod liver oil because it contains vitamins A and D.
- Green-lipped Mussel Extract (GLME)
It is full of glucosamine sulphate. Glucosamine is often combined with chondroitin to treat Arthritis. It helps to grow new cartilage and repairs damages caused by Arthritis. And, it also contains minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.
- Bone broth:
It contains manganese, calcium, phosphorus, and glucosamine. You should be very careful to prepare the bone broth. Old cats are often suffering from a lack of bone lubricants. The bone broth helps to produce it.
- Gelatin:
Collagen is a connective tissue in our body, and gelatin contains collagen. Gelatin increases flexibility and reduces pain in joints. The Amino acid in gelatin helps to strengthen tendons and ligaments.
more Homemade Food For Older Cats With Arthritis
- Vitamin C:
Vitamin C boosts a cat’s immune system and increases collagen production. Vitamin C also prevents unnecessary blood clots, bruising, and scar formation from healing wounds.
- Alfalfa:
Alfalfa is full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It has many functions and properties that reduce swelling and inflammation in joints. It also regulates acidity in the body. Best given with Yucca roots. Alfalfa is very common. It grows in the backyards of our houses.
- Turmeric:
Turmeric contains Curcumin along with dozens of anti-inflammatory compounds. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a wound healer and beautification product. It also reduces the stiffness of bone muscles.
- Cayenne:
Cayenne is like a simulation. That means it stimulates the power of other herbs. Capsinine is its main ingredient. It removes pain and inflammation from the bone joints.
- Licorice root:
Licorice root contains phytosterol compounds. It also can replace medical steroids, which have harmful side effects. Licorice roots affect the production of cortisol. Cortisol regulates the inflammation of joints. So, all those ingredients can be used when you’ll make homemade food for your cat with Arthritis. But the recipe must be vet-approved.
Tips for moving your cat to their new arthritis diet
It is very natural that your cat won’t like a new patterned diet. Your cat may have Arthritis or not; you should bring the change slowly. Don’t bring any change suddenly. You must consult your vet first and listen to his advice.
- First, talk to your cat that you’re going to change his diet because of his well-being. As he is suffering from Arthritis, he needs a special diet.
- Take a notebook so that you can keep a record of the food transition.
- Measure your cat’s weight and write it down in the notebook.
- Take him to the vet for a health check-up.
- If you have decided to feed your cat a commercial diet, then purchase from any super shop or local pet food market. Or if you have decided to make food yourself, then shop for the raw materials.
- Start giving the new food in only one meal. If your cat likes the new food, then increase the time, or if your cat doesn’t like then ask the vet for the second recipe.
- Keep all the records of your cat’s weight per week and the new food amount. The food amount should be only 2% of your cat’s body weight.
What should you look for in your cat’s diet?
Your cat food for Arthritis should fulfil some conditions. Such as-
- The food ingredients should be arthritis-friendly and able to reduce joint pain, such as animal protein, amino acids, calcium, fat, omega-3, omega-6 fatty acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
- No fillers, allergens, or additives (animal by-products) are used.
- The flavours should be chicken and bacon, and the forms should be chewable, liquid, and powder.
- Always prefer leading brands such as Purina, Blue Buffalo, Wellness, honest Paw, etc.
