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By Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Certified pet nutritionist in Singapore
QUICK ANSWER
Arthritis is inflammation in the joints, and it brings pain, stiffness and a slower, more careful pet. There's no single fix, but a natural plan that calms inflammation, supports the joints and keeps your pet moving comfortably can make a real difference. Coconut oil is a simple place to start.
Signs of arthritis
Arthritis often creeps in slowly, so the early signs are easy to miss:
- Stiffness after resting, or first thing in the morning
- Reluctance to jump, climb stairs or go on walks
- Limping, or a change in how they walk
- Licking at a particular joint
- Being more irritable or withdrawn than usual
Cats tend to hide pain well. Watch for missing the litter box, or no longer jumping onto their favourite spots.
How coconut oil helps
Coconut oil has natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help calm the inflammation and fight the free radicals that drive joint pain. Its medium-chain fatty acids also give older, less active pets an easy source of energy.
It's gentle, easy to add to meals, and works well alongside other joint support.
Recommended amount: 1 teaspoon per 4.5kg (10lb) of body weight daily.
First time? Start with about ¼ of that and build up over 2 weeks. For sensitive pets, start with just 2–3 drops.
The joint support I use
Coconut oil works best as part of a wider plan. These are the joint supplements I trust:
✓ For inflammation and pain: Glacier Peak Holistics InflaPotion, Gold Standard Herbs Voltrex and Adored Beast Jump for Joynts. When pain flares up, I give these at double the usual dose, then return to the normal dose once the pain is well managed.
✓ For the back and spine: Gold Standard Herbs Lumbrex.
✓ For keeping inflammation in check: omega-3 from Adored Beast Potent Sea, and turmeric, which you'll find in CocoTherapy Coco-Gold.
FROM MY EXPERIENCE
Wangcai, as a Frenchie, had a lot of joint trouble and had osteoarthritis. He was always on Jump for Joynts and Potent Sea, with InflaPotion and coconut oil daily. During COVID we couldn't go as deep into his joint health as I would have liked. You can read more in our story.
When BeanBean came home, her joints were so weak she couldn't stand for long. She couldn't have any oils at first, so I started her on Voltrex, Lumbrex and Jump for Joynts. Those three got her walking more, and then jumping again.
With Wangcai, I'd always wanted to do an HTMA but never managed to. With BeanBean, we did, and it showed she was lacking certain minerals that weren't supporting her joints well. After I changed her diet and supplements based on her results, she no longer needs Lumbrex or Voltrex. Today, she has real fish or fish oil with coconut oil to keep inflammation in check.
If your pet's joints aren't improving as you'd hope, an HTMA test can show whether a mineral imbalance is part of the picture.
Beyond supplements
Some of the biggest changes for BeanBean have come from therapies outside the food bowl. She has regular chiropractic and acupuncture care. I also highly recommend physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, which gently strengthen the muscles that support the joints.
For over a year, BeanBean has also had daily red light therapy and PEMF, and both have helped her a lot. I chose this type of red light therapy only after a lot of research, and you can find it through this link.
This is an affiliate link. JOOF may earn a commission if you buy through it.
Everyday ways to help
✓ Keep them at a healthy weight. Every extra kilo puts more strain on the joints. See my guide on helping your dog reach a healthy weight.
✓ Keep them moving, gently. Short walks and swimming keep joints moving without overdoing it.
✓ Use ramps, not steps. Walking up a ramp takes far less joint effort than climbing steps, so ramps are better for sofas, beds and cars.
✓ Add grip to slippery floors. Rugs or mats on tiles help them feel steady.
When to see a vet
Sudden lameness, a swollen joint, or pain that doesn't improve within a few days should be checked.
Frequently asked questions
Can coconut oil replace joint supplements?
It works best alongside them. Coconut oil supports the whole body, while joint herbs target inflammation more directly.
Is it too late to start with an older pet?
No. Natural support can make a real difference at any age, as BeanBean shows.
Which coconut oil should I use?
Choose an organic, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil that's also therapeutic grade. Not every organic, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is. I recommend CocoTherapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, which is therapeutic grade.
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This article is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for veterinary care. If you're concerned about your pet's health, please seek professional advice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Judyvein Cheng, CPCN, BRNC
Judyvein is a Certified Professional Canine Nutritionist and Certified Raw Nutrition Coach for Cats & Dogs, and the founder of JOOF Holistic Pet. Her journey began with her Frenchie, Wangcai, and today she helps pet parents in Singapore take a root-cause approach to their pets' health.
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