DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat “Sticky” is 14 years old and still in great shape. He loves chasing after a laser beam and rolling around with his toys. However, I’ve noticed that when he comes over to leap up on my lap, he hesitates and just puts his paws on my leg and meows. I have to encourage him to leap, and he doesn’t seem happy about it. Could something be wrong with him? — Janine in Gulfport, Mississippi
DEAR JANINE: At age 14, Sticky is definitely a senior cat, and it sounds like he’s beginning to develop a common senior cat problem: arthritis. Just like us, cats can suffer from stiff, achy joints as they get older.
You’re doing a great job of observing his behavior and spotting changes in the way he interacts. Arthritis (typically osteoarthritis, sometimes abbreviated as OA) is progressive, and sometimes not noticeable right away. There are four key things to watch for:
Running — Does your cat run with a fast, fluid motion, or in stops and starts?
Jumping — Does your cat hesitate to take jumps that were effortless in the past?
Climbing — Does your cat walk or run confidently on the stairs, or hesitate on each step?
Playing — Does your cat keep up with the laser pointer, or start to lag behind?
Other noticeable behaviors, like excessive meowing, hiding away or even occasionally missing the litter box also signal that your cat is uncomfortable or in pain.
It’s important to consult with Sticky’s veterinarian at this point. Together, you can evaluate his pain level and function, and discuss options for improving his comfort. There are treatments for cats with OA that will greatly improve his quality of life and get him back to his old self.
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© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
By Sam Mazzota
King Syndicate
