Arthritis is inevitable as cats’ life expectancy increases. In one study, researchers analyzed X-rays of the spines and limbs of 100 middle-aged or elderly cats living in U.S. homes. The images revealed that 90 percent of those cats over the age of 12 showed radiographic signs of arthritis.
A variety of over-the-counter nutraceuticals have gained widespread popularity for their purported ability to ease the joint discomfort associated with feline arthritis. The most notable supplements contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids. However, says Tufts’ Cailin Heinze, VMD, “When it comes to the question of whether you should consider using some of these dietary supplements to treat arthritis, the fact is that there is very little, if any, evidence that they are of benefit to cats with osteoarthritis.”
Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2018.
Because dietary supplements in general fall into a kind of gray area — they’re neither drugs nor foods — they don’t require FDA approval of their safety and efficacy before they can be marketed.
“This is really important for cat owners to know,” says Heinze. “The best-case scenario, of course, is that the dietary supplements now being sold are actually helpful. The worst-case scenario is that they are of poor quality, that they can be contaminated and that they can cause serious health problems.”
INSIGHTS: Dr. Heinze doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water here. “It’s really important,” she notes, “to discuss the matter with your veterinarian and make sure that you select a high-quality product. And after feeding the supplement to your cat for a few months, if you see that a supplement is not working, it doesn’t make any sense to continue.”