How to Ease Joint Pain in Cats With Natural Remedies

Most adult domestic cats experience osteoarthritis in one or more joints.

This common condition involves painful inflammation. Due to wear and tear or injury, the bones grind across one another. In cats, this can happen around the hips, knees, back, or any other joint.

Arthritis in cats is painful. Stiff, arthritic joints limit mobility, impairing quality of life. 

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for arthritis. So, what’s an adoring pet owner to do?

Below, we’ll look at these approaches for addressing joint pain in cats:

• Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
• Establishing a comfortable and easily-navigated home environment
• Providing joint-friendly supplements

While cat arthritis can’t be cured, the symptoms can be substantially reduced. Lifestyle adjustments and supplementation can help restore the playful feline athleticism that brings joy to your home. 

Ready to fight back against arthritis? Let’s explore the action steps that will help your pets live their best pain-free lives.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet and Weight for Your Pet Cat

Fat cats are cute, but healthy cats are even cuter. Felines find joy in movement, and we delight in watching their uniquely silly physical comedy.

As with our own bodies, it’s easy to let our pets put on a few extra pounds. However, once you notice weight gain, you need to address it.

In-shape house cats normally weigh around 10 lbs, but a healthy weight varies based on breed and build. Maine Coons, for example, are a larger breed, with healthy males weighing up to 18 lbs. Talk to your vet about what a healthy weight looks like for your cat.

Why is losing extra weight important in the fight against arthritis? Because carrying that extra weight makes coping with stiff joints even more unpleasant.

For cats with healthy body weights, consuming 24–35 calories per pound of body weight per day is recommended. That range will typically maintain the current body weight and prevent fatty tissue buildup.

Here’s what an appropriate maintenance diet looks like for average-sized cats.

(Source: WebMD Pet Health Center)

Gradual adjustments can slowly bring obese cats back into shape. Your veterinarian may recommend dietary changes to establish a calorie deficit if your pet is above its healthy weight range.

This is important: If you think a diet is in order, bring your cat in for a medical checkup. Don’t initiate a weight loss program without input from your vet.

Making the Home More Comfortable for an Arthritic Cat

A healthy diet and a trim figure help your cat stay as mobile and comfortable as possible.

The next step involves creating an arthritis-friendly living space. To maintain a fun and accessible home environment, a bit of redecorating goes a long way!

When arthritis impacts a cat’s mobility, the home can become a less inviting place. Their favorite napping spots are now out of reach. Even stepping into the litter box might pose a challenge.

Because your cat’s emotional well-being is linked to their physical mobility, a limited range of movement in cats is a major concern.

A few simple steps will help care for your aging cat live their best life despite dealing with stiff joints.

Our favorite easy home update ideas:

• Provide a litter box that’s easy to get in and out of, placed in an easily accessible area
• Provide a soft and cozy bed at ground level
• Set up steps or ramps to provide access to elevated surfaces such as window sills
• Groom with pain-free hair brushes

Cats do their best to hide when they’re in pain. A feline with arthritic joint pain will quietly reduce their daily activities to avoid painful movements. By adjusting the home environment, you can help your pet to more fully access and enjoy their favorite parts of the house. Want to know about other signs of pain in cats? Read the article, What Can I Give My Cat for Pain? — 8 Signs of Pain in Cats.

Glucosamine Supplementation for Cat Arthritis

Dietary and home environment adjustments will help make your cat more comfortable. Meanwhile, glucosamine supplementation can fight back more directly against arthritis.

As a cat ages or suffers joint damage, sometimes glucosamine production fails to meet the body’s needs. Supplementation can fill in for the low supply.

”18 years old, back to acting like an 8-year-old. Greatest thing I could have done for my best friend of 18 years.”

— Jessica C., ★★★★★ Verified Liquid Glucosamine For Cats Review

Glucosamine has a long history of use by humans, and now it’s available for pets, too. So don't be afraid about giving your cat glucosamine. 

Glucosamine For Cats by Paramount Pet Health is an easily-administered liquid supplement. It’s tasty, so your cats will enjoy taking it. Most of all, they’ll enjoy the results — as their arthritis symptoms subside and their mobility returns.

Glucosamine vs. Alternative Cat Arthritis Treatments

Besides glucosamine, several other treatment options exist for arthritis in cats, including:

• Pain medication
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Solensia for Cats
• Laser therapy (therapeutic light waves)
• Acupuncture
• Joint protectant injections

These treatments involve varying side effects, and in some cases, frequent trips to the veterinarian for treatment. However, there’s evidence that each approach can bring some pain relief.

Just remember: never share human medication with your pets, and don’t initiate or combine treatments without talking to your vet.

”My 17.5-year-old cat has some sort of neuro issue with his walking… complicated by the pain of old age. This liquid glucosamine seems to help him enormously.”

— Beverly Y., ★★★★★ Verified Liquid Glucosamine For Cats Review

Unlike medication treatments, glucosamine is an all-natural product. Glucosamine supplementation helps address a deficit in the body’s natural joint health.

Paramount Pet Health’s Glucosamine For Cats is made from human-grade ingredients and bottled in an FDA- and GMP-compliant facility.

The product was inspired by the compelling evidence that glucosamine could provide relief for cats with arthritis, just like it does for people. The results have been incredible — so many happy kitties!

Learn more about Paramount Pet Health and Glucosamine For Cats here.

Frequently Asked Questions

For full Glucosamine For Cats product details, visit our product page. If you have any questions about Paramount Pet Health products, feel free to contact us. See below for answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Is Glucosamine safe for cats?

Yes, it is. You can read more about how glucosamine is safe for cats. 

What are the ingredients in Paramount Pet Health’s Glucosamine For Cats supplement?

Glucosamine For Cats includes the following active ingredients:

• Glucosamine
• MSM
• Taurine (read more about the benefits of taurine for cats)
• Chondroitin
• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) USP (preservative)
• Sodium Hyaluronate
• Manganese

The following inactive ingredients are also included:

• Organic beef flavor
• Potassium sorbate
• Vegetable glycerin (USP)
• Xanthan gum

How is Glucosamine For Cats administered?

Paramount Pet Health’s Glucosamine For Cats supplement is in liquid form and administered orally. If possible, administer the product directly into the cat’s mouth with the bottle-top dropper — or mix the recommended dosage into a serving of wet food.

What is the recommended glucosamine dosage for treating cat arthritis?

For cats under 10 lbs, the recommended dosage for Paramount Pet Health Glucosamine For Cats is 1 ml, provided orally, per day.

For cats over 10 lbs, the recommended dosage is 2 ml per day.

During the first week of use, a “loading dose” of twice the recommended amounts may be administered.

What does the best Glucosamine For Cats taste like?

It tastes delicious! The product contains organic beef flavor, and cats love it. We all know that if your cat doesn’t like the taste of something, then there’s no arguing. Fortunately, our happy customers tell us all the time that the taste is a hit.