Afternoon folks, this is an odd one but any thoughts or similar experiences, even with dogs. In the early stages of arthritis I was crying with pain and my 2 cats, Olga 17 yrs and Bella (who came from a rescue centre in December last year) 8 yrs backed off and stayed away from me. They would, sometimes sleep at the end of my bed. As I began to take painkillers and learn to cope with the illness they began to get closer to me again. In the past both cats have sat on my knee, next to me or at the back of me. Since starting Methotrexate both are now frequently licking my swollen wrists and finger joints and get mad when I try to stop them! Bella is now sleeping on my bed at night and snuggles next to my neck purring. If I have an arm out of the bed she will push her body under it so I am touching her. She was not a cruelty case, signed over when her owner moved to Spain. Their loss my gain. Have spoken to Cats Protection League stressed the cats do not come into contact with any of my medication, they find it strange and amusing suggesting both cats are trying to help. I live alone with no family. Is this just another form of bonding that animals can form with people and I'm very lucky to have these 2 cats. Olga now often sits on my knee purring as she used to do. Anyone had a similar situation?
CATS AND ARTHRITIS: Afternoon folks, this is an odd one... - NRAS
CATS AND ARTHRITIS
How lovely! I am sure animals often know/sense when we are ill and in pain. I still miss my lovely ginger tom cat, Simmy, who died a few years ago and I was very tempted to get another one during the various lockdowns. I know stroking a cat is supposed to be very calming and reduced blood pressure.
Hi Cutes, I support the RSPCA and Cats Protection Leagues, their centres are full of cats wanting loving homes. Bella was initially scared but soon came out of her shell and having lost 2 cats to cancer weeks earlier, I still miss them, she has filled a gap.
Thanks Riaritis. I am very tempted, but will probably wait until if/when I move to a larger place, as I always found it a bit difficult to cope with a cat in a relatively small space. When younger, he was extremely active (the archetypal 'Tom kitten', i.e. very naughty) and was also a very keen hunter - need I say more? ....) But, when I do get another cat, as I am sure I will at some point in the future, I will definitely go for a rescue one next time round.
Pets just know when we are bad. I have a greyhound who will just lie by me on bad days and if we go for a walk will adjust her pace automatically. One day I fell I could barely walk . God bless her she never took her eyes off me all the way home and nudging me as if encouraging me to keep going .. 🥰just love her
Hi Riaritis. I used to get similar with two dog of ours several years ago, they were brood brothers. I've come home from work (sometimes sent home) with such bad headaches and gone straight to bed. The dogs used to get on the bed and one would lie in the front curve of my body and the other would lie into the curve of my back and they would stay there until I got up. They also used to do the same if I slept on the settee when I wasn't well too and I know it's because they understood that I was feeling so awful. It was such a comfort.
Our rescue cat loves who fed her last. So my husband in the morning and me at night but she sleeps wherever the sun is and usually on the windowsill with the body sunny side the head through the blind so in the shade. I'd like to say otherwise but ours is adoring of anyone who has cheese, ice cream and grapes. She never gets any but seems to live in hope. x
Please be careful feeding her grapes. I was aware of certain foods etc toxic to cats (eg. onion, raisins, garlic, chocolate, lillies, amongst others), but recently read that grapes are considered toxic too. Apparently they can cause kidney problems and in some cases, kidney failure. I double checked and found several sources all saying the same. It can be such a minefield! 🤔
We don't feed her grapes , she wants them but as I said she lives in hope. xx
Oops, sorry, my error - grabbing the wrong end of the stick again! Thought I'd mention it in case it was helpful. Apologies x
Good job they can't (generally) get at food themselves- goodness knows what they would scoff!
😳
My last cat was, I think, very sympathetic and understanding of my condition. She also had arthritis and had to have steroid injections from time to time! She was by my side or on my lap most of the time and always slept with me. I had her from a tiny kitten so she grew old with me and perhaps noticed we were both struggling. In her final days she used to come upstairs on my lap on the stairlift!
I was without a cat for a while and got an 8-year old long-haired moggy, Binky, in July 2020 from a rescue centre. I couldn't find out any details but I think she had been mistreated and her last owner got a puppy in the first lockdown that I suspect gave her a hard time.
When I went online to register her microchip number to me the drop down name menu that it produced offered me 6 alternative names so I think she had been passed around a lot. After spending many weeks hiding in dark places she has gradually become far more loving.
My theory about your two is that Bella has taken a long time to settle and, in the early days of her time with you Olga backed off seeing her as competition. As soon as Bella felt more comfortable with and spent time with you, Olga decided to rejoin you both so as not to be outdone!!
I really do think cats and dogs can detect pain and illness in their "staff"/owners and do their best to provide comfort. Dogs are being trained to sniff out cancer of course. Lola, my old cat did lick me but Binky never has, yet.
Seems you have very sweet kitties. 😻😻 I had a cat who seemed to understand I needed to rest when I first got RA and he was huge (Jason .. he’s the imagine on my profile!) and he wouldn’t sit on me as such but snuggle into my side on the sofa then put his head on my leg or hook his paws over me gently. Once I fell asleep full length on the sofa for some times and woke up to find him looking in my face and outstretched filly too at my side facing me withhis paws over my waist holding on. It was so sweet and funny. I am sure he knew something wasn’t quite right so he’d to be careful. 💗 So glad you have furry friends. I don’t at the moment.
Hi Neonkittie17, the rescue centres are overflowing with cats in need of good homes. I miss the 2 cats I lost to cancer in Autumn 2020, still cry for them but Bella is filling the gap. Yesterday she stretched out behind me and put her paws on my shoulders as though she was giving healing. It was nice. 🐈
She sounds adorable and yes I’d definitely have a rescue cat. All mine have been situations where a home was needed ... where a friend passed away and I’d promised to look after Pepe if anything happened and my cousin had to rehome her big ol cat on my profile photo as he was fighting his siblings! Also we rescued one from a family who didn’t want him and others were kittens from friends’ cats. They all needed homes. 💗
Ob bad days my Rosco licks my hands and wrists and snuggles closer and the other 2 seem to pick up when bad some days too. It is lovely to see x
My pug was the same well one was anyway she always licked.my painfully area I sensed she knew I was struggling my other pug wasn't the same ..sadly lost both of them one this year and one last year..im currently minding a sausage dog puppy. For a freind he is so funny but hard work 🐶 so I've opted to try and rescue a pug who a bit older if I'm lucky enough.. im still in two minds the house stays so clean and I don't find myself cleaning everyday were I did with my two dogs I've got the option of Maltese puppy I'm just so unsure..I know pugs are happy to be lap dogs..so wondering if I should adopted a older pug or buy a puppy ... both my pugs slept with me very naughty I know ...I shouldn't have but they loved me so much and I did them..life isn't the same without a furry family member .x
Hi Vonnie, personally I'd adopt an older animal as they often get overlooked. Bella was given to the rescue centre when her owners moved to Spain, from being withdrawn she is now quite opinionated and stays out most nights. I was a dog owner many years, Bess came from the RSPCA, sadly I don't think I can offer a dog a home yet but when that does happen no doubt mogs and dog will rule the roost. They give me something else to think about.
Hi Vonnie, hope your knee is alright and you’re doing well. 💗 I hope you do get another dog. I think you will always miss your beloved pugs. I bet the sausage dog puppy is adorable. (I would have another dog .. you need another little furry friend.) x
Hi kit how are you hope your OK.. no dog as yet I did get promised a Maltese she said I could have her for a £1000 but then changed the price upped it to £1200 so greedy these breeders..so said no on principle..sausage went home today miss him..knees been OK kit touch wood. I. Take care kit . Xx
Hi Vonnie, Aww bet you miss lil sausage. 💗 Yes some breeders are very greedy but hopefully they are genuine ones and not over breeding. Hope you get a new pup. 🙏🏻 I’m glad your knees are steady. OK here thank you here but issues with my immunity .. such a lot to sort out. 🤨
Oh. NO kit you go through it can it be sorted ? Isn’t it awful for you.. I’ve asked about a shu Zui puppy going to check it out tomorrow .. keep your head up kit xx
I’ve just seen your post now and it was posted 23 hours ago. Weird .. it took so long to show up on my feed. Thank you Vonnie 💗 I’m doing lots to try investigate how I can get more immunity back and changing med later in the year. It is hard getting all this happening. I don’t know what those puppies look like so I’ll have to google! Hope you can get one. You need a pup again. 😍xx
A long time ago, before R A, our cat suddenly refused to have anything to do with my husband. A few weeks later my husband was diagnosed with leukaemia. We were lucky and he went into remission after the first round of chemotherapy at which time the cat went back to being his constant companion, especially when I was at work.
In my experience, both with dogs and cats, they were extremely loving when I was in pain. They wanted to be sat with me all the time and comfort me. They definitely knew when I had a flare coming even before I did. Never underestimate the intuition of an animal. They are the best friends you will ever have.
I have two dogs, who are gorgeous, but couldn't care less how I am feeling as long as they are walked and fed, although they are now closer to my husband for those activities, but will lie quietly with me if I have a rest in the afternoon. However, it's a different story when I take my medication and sit to attention in front of me (after 6 years you would think would have learned by now) - they seem to think that treats are about to be offered round!
😂. My girls are definite airheads!!
When I'm feeling unwell I have a furry klingon acting as a living hottie. She never sits on my lap normally but when I'm lying down loves to perch on top of me like a poached egg on smashed avocado
Yes - our daughter's flatcoat bitch (licky dogs) likes to forcefully lick my arthritic right wrist and sore left shin. ( Lumbar disc prolapse) No doubt about this.
Yes I think you’ve now made a wonderful bond with your two pussy cats . I am the same with my two poodles , I think they know I’m poorly at times , they patiently wait for me at times. They love me as much as I love them . Where would we be without our wonderful pets xxx. 🐈 🐩 🐩. I also have an elderly long haired cat .
When I am unwell my dogs and cat get close. I think I must smell different and they know I need help. My dog has RA and is on prednisone like me!
Does this sound like Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Arthritis pain
My granddaughter Bella
Good rheumatologist in South Oxfordshire/Oxford
