ANSWERS: 4
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Keeping weight off, massage, acupressure, exercise, and avoiding foods/additives has been what worked for us. We also built a few ramps or low steps sop the cats could get up where they like to rest. Low sided litter boxes sometimes are preferred. We've gotten a heat pad for one cat who loved taking naps on it in the winter. And exercise is so important, even if they don't really feel up to it. But getting them moving is one way to make sure they stay moving. A feather or belled toy works best for us and also getting the kitty to come to us when called and rewarding it with a treat. Once they learn that, you can get them to maybe run down a hall or into another room and get some exercise that way.
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Galeanda gave you some really good advice. We used to grind up an aspirin and put it in our cat's food. It was a long time ago, so I'd check with your vet first just in case.
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I'm really happy for you that your cat has been with you so many years. That's really great. I never got to keep my cats that long and none of them ever had arthritis but my dog did and she used to love heat. She loved to find a place where she could just lay in the son and keep warm.
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My sisters cat had a terrible accident and developed serious arthritis later in its life. She would take it into the vet about once every 6 months to get it a shot of cortisone. She ran and acted like a kitten most of the time (the cat not my sister:) until the cortisone started to wear off and it was time for another shot. There is also something in alternative medicine which is good for arthritis but I can't remember the name off the top of my head. If you are interested in knowing, just say so and I will look it up and post it here for you. Good luck. An 18 year old cat who is only now showing signs of arthritis is a tribute to a caring, responsible owner.
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