Trying different joint supplements for my senior cat

My poor Shadow is really struggling lately. He's 12 and we are dealing with CKD stage 3 on top of what looks like arthritis. He used to jump on the counter with ease, but now he hesitates and sometimes slips.

I've tried a few supplements from the store, but I'm not sure if they're doing anything or just expensive pee. Has anyone had success with glucosamine or chondroitin? Or is it better to focus on other things like omega-3s? I'm worried about adding more pills to his routine since he's already on meds for his kidneys.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Shadow sounds like he's going through a lot. As a vet tech, I see a lot of senior cats with joint issues. Glucosamine is hit or miss; some cats respond well, but it takes weeks to see a difference.

I think the omega-3 route is often more effective for inflammation. I wrote up a thread about this before when I was trying to help my ragdoll Olive, who has hypothyroidism but also stiff joints. Omega-3s and joint health might have some good info on dosages. Just be careful with the fat content if Shadow is on a strict renal diet.

I manage two 7-year-olds, Shadow and Sunny, and they are opposites. Sunny is bold and jumps everywhere, while my Shadow is very shy and tends to stay on the ground. I've been looking at the signs of pain because I worry he's not jumping just because he's lazy.

Subtle signs of feline arthritis was really helpful for me in distinguishing between personality and actual discomfort. Does anyone know if the supplements ptaylor mentioned interact with the kidney meds? I don't want to mess up Shadow's liver or kidneys.

I don't have a senior cat yet (my Bandit is only 4), but I lost my previous cat to a car accident and I'm terrified of losing another one to something preventable like this. I usually list out problems and solutions, but this is tricky.

If I were to try a supplement, I'd want a step-by-step guide. What is the order of operations? Do we start with diet changes or pills? I saw a thread about dietary adjustments that seemed complex. Dietary adjustments for CKD stage 3 Is it safe to mix those diet changes with joint supplements, or do they cancel each other out?

It is so hard to watch our companions struggle. I have three rescues, Dot, Rocco, and Tilly, and while they are young, I worry about the future. The emotional toll on the owner is just as real as the pain for the cat.

I think the confusion comes from trying to treat the symptom (pain) without addressing the underlying cause (inflammation vs. degeneration). I remember a discussion about hypothyroidism where the hormonal balance affected the joints. Living with hypothyroidism Maybe Shadow's CKD is causing some metabolic changes that make the arthritis worse? I'm not a doctor, but I feel like we are missing a piece of the puzzle here.

@threerescues you make a good point about the metabolic side. I actually found a thread from a while back where I detailed his history and the progression of his kidney disease. It might explain why the standard arthritis treatments aren't working as well as I hope.

Dietary adjustments for CKD stage 3 Wait, I linked that one already? No, I meant a specific thread about his case history. I'll look for it. But basically, his bloodwork shows high phosphorus. Does that change which supplements are safe? I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice.