What non-prescription options are available for treating arthritis in cats?

There are a couple of non-prescription options that can help a cat with arthritis. One is to assess their weight and if they are carrying a few extra pounds, then put them on a diet. It’s harder for sore legs to carry around excess weight. Another is to use a nutriceutical which is a food supplement that helps to manage disease. One that you may be familiar with is glucosamine/chondroitin. Green lipped mussel extract is another. These products aren’t as well regulated as prescription drugs, so you may run into problems with quality and strength. There are also few studies on how effective they are. If you want to try something like this, speak to your vet about an appropriate dose rate. A third option is to use a prescription food for arthritis, such as those manufactured by Hill’s and Royal Canin. They include ingredients such as green lipped mussel extract and omega fatty acids, as well as glucosamine/chondroitin. There is some published data that they do help with pain and mobility. | 11.11.15 @ 12:00