Efficacy and Safety of a Diet Enriched with EPA and DHA, Turmeric Extract and Hydrolysed Collagen in Management of Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritis in Cats: A Prospective, Randomised, Blinded, Placebo- and Time-Controlled Study

Abstract

This study evaluated a therapeutic diet high in eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of marine source (EPA:DHA ratio 0.69:1), turmeric extract, and hydrolysed collagen in cats (N = 30) with naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA) over a 13-week (W) period, followed by a 4-W washout, using four previously validated pain/functional outcomes. Compared to the placebo diet, the therapeutic diet significantly improved peak vertical force (p = 0.017; W16, 64% responders), correlating to enhanced weight bearing; stair assay compliance (p p = 0.05, 67% responders), suggesting greater spontaneous mobility and comfort; and MI-CAT(V) score (cohort effect; p p p < 0.05), both moderate and severe OA clusters responded equally positively to the therapeutic diet. Based on all outcomes, the therapeutic diet showed promise for the long-term management of feline OA, with no observed side effects.

Keywords

• omega-3
• curcuminoid
• feline
• chronic pain
• biomechanical
• functional alterations