Is my old cat's front paw pain from arthritis? How can I help her?

Question

Hello, my 12 year old (not overweight) cat has been gradually getting a little gimpy in her front paws. She doesn't mind if I touch them, but her jumping looks uncomfortable and she sometimes shakes one of her paws. I always assumed she is just getting old and creaky like me, but if there's anything I can do to help her manage discomfort, I'd like to. Thank you. Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 12 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Hi there. Older cats can sometimes develop arthritis or other chronic orthopedic issues as they get older. You don't mention if she is declawed or not, but if she is, this would be even more common. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam when you're able to - if she does have arthritis, there are prescription pain medications that can be used long-term to make her much more comfortable, just like an older human with arthritis issues. In the meantime, you could also try adding a daily joint supplement such as Cosequin along with an omega-2 fatty acid supplement such as Welactin to her food each day. These can both be helpful for arthritis issues in both dogs and cats.

Is my old cat's front paw pain from arthritis? How can I help her?

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