Nutramax Laboratories Cosequin Joint Health Supplement for Cats - With Glucosamine and Chondroitin, 2 Pack, 110 Total Capsules

I hope my (long) review helps those who are trying to help their cat with FIC issues. YMMV, but here are some things that helped us. All of them came from Amazon. Glucosamine is one of the things that seems to be helping our cat with his chronic irritable bladder (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis) issues. He's almost 8 and he had problems with improper urination for several months (peeing on hard surfaces in the house). He was clearly in pain and avoiding his litterbox except when pooing. His old vet said he has crystals, just give him special food for life. That food has a lot of corn and other ingredients he couldn't tolerate and it made him throw up. So, second opinion time. His new vet said nope, he does NOT have crystals, his labs are all clear and his bladder X-rays are clear, so it's probably FIC due to stress (our other cat has been quite ill, probably a source of stress). So, they gave him pain meds for a week which helped a bit, then gaba liquid instead of the pain meds. That also helped but was difficult to give via syringe. The vet then gave him gaba capsules (easier to split in half and sprinkle in food) for two weeks. At the same time, I started putting these Glucosamine capsules once daily in a liquid snack (the more water intake, the better). For the first time in about 4 months my cat seems normal again. He's been off gaba meds for 3 weeks now and has only been taking these Glucosamine capsules since then. So far, so good. I believe these helped, though breaking the pain cycle was very important too, as is increased hydration. I'll keep giving him these because he's doing well on them and a breeder told me they're also helpful for kitty arthritis, which my cat is at risk for. Some other things we've done: Hydration is crucial for cats, especially those with FIC. Our cat is one of those stubborn dry food eaters who hates wet food. I've been trying for years to find a wet food he'll eat. I've tried putting all sorts of sprinkles in his wet food to tempt him to eat it. The combo that worked for him is a bit of freeze dried chicken crumbled into Wellness Complete Health wet food - I can usually get 2-3 ounces of wet food in him a day by feeding him this. I also give him wet snacks like Hartz Stews or Squeeze-ups or a bit of Gerber Chicken or Turkey baby food to help further hydrate him and also hide his meds. Those are low-calorie snacks, mostly moisture. I also tried to get him to use a water fountain - he hated it, plus many are hard to clean. Instead, he likes his new extra-small low stainless steel Catit bowl (it sits in a plastic base of some sort) much better than the fountain or his old ceramic water bowl. He'll lay by the Catit bowl like he's laying by a pond, lol, and drink water more often than he used to. Also, we have several tall-sided litterboxes (number of cats + 1) that are filled with scent-free litter and are scooped daily. We also started using a sprinkle of Dr Elsey's Litter Attractant in them. The cats love that stuff and they often go use the litter boxes shortly after I sprinkle it in. It smells a bit like sweet earth to me. Still, I believe the turning point for our cat was the gaba + glucosamine. Four long months later and finally kitty feels good again. Now he's just on glucosamine and he trots off to his litterbox like it's no big thing instead of peeing around the house, thankfully.

Our two beloved rescue cats, Mama Kitty and her younger brother, were once shadows of their former selves. As they aged, they began to exhibit the same signs of decline we see in ourselves: joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It was heartbreaking to witness their once-active spirits dwindle. Like many pet owners, we considered the difficult decision of euthanasia. However, we refused to give up on our furry family members. We started exploring medication and supplement options, just as we would for ourselves. After trying various products, we discovered Cosequin. Within a week of starting this supplement, Mama Kitty was back to her old self, running, climbing, and even hunting lizards! Over a year later, both cats continue to thrive, enjoying active and playful lives. We administer Cosequin daily, mixing it into their wet food. We've also incorporated CBD oil specifically formulated for cats to help manage nerve pain. We strongly encourage pet owners to consider these options before making the heartbreaking decision to euthanize their aging pets. With the right care and support, senior cats can live happy, healthy lives for many years to come. Key Benefits of Cosequin: Improved joint health and mobility Reduced pain and inflammation Enhanced quality of life Extended lifespan By starting our pets on Cosequin early, we've been able to prevent many age-related issues and enjoy countless precious moments with our furry companions. Don't let your aging cat's declining health limit their potential. Give them the gift of a longer, happier life with Cosequin.

"Urinary crystals?" you ask? Glucosamine helps to replenish glycosaminoglycan, an element in the lining of the cat's stomach. This lining helps prevent urinary crystals, which can be fatal if untreated. One of my cats, 2 years old, twice had blockages from urinary crystals. At the second incident, the veterinarian prescribed 2 pills per day with a meal (the big boy cat is a 17 pounder - I believe under 10 pounds takes just 1 per day). I also feed him wet cat food intended for urinary tract health ( Pro Plan Canned Cat Food, Adult Extra Care Urinary Tract Chicken Entrée In Gravy, 3-Ounce Cans (Pack of 24) ), and I add 1/8 cup of water to a 3oz cat of food with the meal that gets the 2 pills of medicine. I add the water to the food because he refuses to drink from a bowl or cat fountain. The 2 prior incidents occurred 3-4 months apart. Fortunately, since starting this new regimen of combined medicine with additional water and special cat food, it has been about 5 months with no scares. The medicine comes in powder form inside of a pill. I prepare and mix the water with the wet cat food, and then pull the plastic pill apart and spread the powdered medicine on top of the well-mixed food (not too wet or the cat doesn't like it). The medicine is flavored and sometimes the cat will eat only the powder as a treat and come back later for the food/water combo. Whether it's the cat food, the extra water, the pills, or a combination - my cat is healthier. This price on Amazon is stellar. I have purchased several bottles and the quality seems consistent from purchase to purchase. 5 stars, highly recommended. EDIT 12/8/13. It has now been over a year since I have been administering the Cosequin in conjunction with a pure wet food diet ph balanced for cats with crystals (aforementioned Purina Pro Plan, and Friskies special diet for urinary health). I also add quite a bit of water. The cat has been crystal-free. I did take him to the vet once for what I thought was a crystal scare, but it turned out to be stress induced inflammation and he was not blocked with crystals. I'm going to keep up with this great product. Give it a shot! EDIT 9/16/2020. I am still giving the cat 1 pill per day (down from 2 at onset). This cat has not had a crystal episode for 8 years! I don’t know if it’s the diet, the pill, or a combination, but I’m not stopping! Very affordable way to help pet quality of life. I recommend this stuff wholeheartedly and stand by my 5 star rating! EDIT July 2024: This cat is still alive at 14 years old and still has not had another bladder incident. In fact, he’s now in better health than his brother from the same litter who we thought was the healthy one. He’s still getting 1 pill per day, and the brother I’m giving 2 every other day to help with his arthritis. The bladder cat is down to 13 pounds and is full of vitality and energy and no signs of arthritis. Maybe these pills have had a double-benefitting effect? I plan to continue giving these pills until they pass away. 5 stars, all the way. I still feed Purina Pro Plan Urinary (chicken) for 1 meal but the other meals are now Weruva flavors that have pumpkin included. They both started having constipation in their old age and the pumpkin seems to assist. Totally unrelated to the pills, but just anecdotal data. He also still refuses to drink water so we continue with mixing in with the urinary food, and putting the pill on top of that meal. They gobble it up.

Helps cats move more comfortably

Works great for cats. Elderly cats respond well for ease on their joints.

Made a huge difference in quality of life for our senior cat and helped us avoid a monthly trip to the vet for an $80 shot, going on 2 years now!

We’re all here because we love our cats and we could see that something is affecting them. I purchased this product in the beginning of October. It’s now at almost at the end of November and I’m purchasing another bottle because it works. My 17-year-old ragdoll was having a hard time moving around keeping weight on and using the litter box. I thought I was losing him. It took a little longer than some of the other reviewers before I started noticing a difference but now it’s clear as day. I wish it didn’t take me so long to realize my cat needed help, had I of used this product before he really needed it. I would’ve saved him considerable pain. This is not an advertisement. This is just simply a review from a man who dearly loves his cats and I have no doubt that not only has this product made the life of my cat better but to see my cat better has greatly benefited mine if you’re on the fence, let this review change your mind.

Absolutely love how simple it is to serve these capsules to my cat. The sprinkle format makes it easy to mix with food without any fuss. I've noticed my cat moving around more comfortably since starting this supplement. The quality seems high, and I feel good about giving her something beneficial for her joint health. Overall, a convenient and effective product for my furry friend's wellbeing.