How can I help a cat with arthritis?

Start by making your home easier to navigate: put ramps or steps beside the sofa and bed, place a litter box on each floor, choose a low-sided box, and add soft, warm bedding in spots your cat already likes. Raise food and water bowls a few inches so your cat can eat without stooping, and keep necessities close together so it does not have to walk far.

Ask your veterinarian about pain relief. Cats cannot take many human painkillers, and drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are toxic to them, so never medicate at home on your own. Safe options prescribed by vets include meloxicam at carefully monitored doses, gabapentin, and monoclonal antibody injections such as frunevetmab, which target nerve growth factor and can be given monthly. Many cats also benefit from joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and green-lipped mussel, plus omega-3 fatty acids.

Non-drug support helps too. Regular gentle play and short, frequent movement keep joints from stiffening, and physical therapy or therapeutic laser treatment may reduce pain. Keep your cat's weight in a healthy range, because every extra pound stresses sore joints. Because arthritis often coexists with kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, your vet should review the whole picture before choosing a treatment plan.