This is a specific conversation about Senior cat care — what changes and what helps — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A joint supplement causing loose stools is frustrating — especially when you know your cat needs the support but can't tolerate what you tried. Cats age more gracefully than dogs in some ways, but Norwegian Forest Cats are a large, heavily-built breed, and at 13 they're well into senior territory where joint stiffness and mobility issues are genuinely common. Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, and arthritis are the big four worth watching at this age. So — how old is your cat exactly, what supplement did you try before, and are the joint issues something your vet has confirmed or more something you're noticing at home?
He's 13, a big Norwegian Forest Cat called Ludo. The vet mentioned he has some stiffness in his hips and lower back. We tried a glucosamine and chondroitin chew — I think it was Cosequin — and within a few days he had really loose stools, so we stopped. The vet said try something else but didn't specify what.
inparticular.ai
That's really helpful context. The loose stools from Cosequin are more common than people realise — the shellfish-derived glucosamine in a lot of those formulas can irritate the gut, especially in cats who are already a bit sensitive. Ludo's size actually works in your favour here because he can handle a proper therapeutic dose, but the delivery format matters a lot. Can I ask — is he on any other medications or supplements right now, and does he eat wet food, dry, or both? That'll help me figure out the best way to get this into him without another stomach upset.
He's on wet food mainly, no other medications at the moment. The vet did bloodwork recently and his kidneys are fine, thyroid is fine. Just the joint stiffness.
inparticular.ai
Good news on the bloodwork — that gives you more options. For Ludo, I'd recommend Seraquin for Cats. It uses UC-II collagen rather than shellfish-derived glucosamine, which is a completely different mechanism and much gentler on the digestive system. UC-II works by modulating the immune response in the joints rather than providing building blocks, so it's actually effective at lower doses and has solid evidence behind it specifically for cats. The tablets are small and palatable, and because he's on wet food you can just tuck one into a small amount of food easily. Start with one daily and you should see a difference in mobility within four to six weeks — it's not an overnight fix, but it's consistent.
That sounds promising. Is it safe to use long term? And is there anything else I should be doing alongside it for his joints?
inparticular.ai
Yes, UC-II is safe for long-term daily use — there's no known accumulation risk and it doesn't carry the kidney load concerns that high-dose glucosamine can in cats over time. Alongside Seraquin, the most impactful thing you can do for Ludo practically is look at his environment. Large cats with hip and lower back stiffness really struggle with high-sided litter trays and having to jump up to reach food or favourite spots. A low-entry tray, a step or ramp to the sofa or bed, and keeping food and water at floor level removes a surprising amount of daily strain. Weight management matters too — if he's carrying even a little extra, that adds load to already stiff joints. Given he's a Norgie, it's worth asking the vet for a body condition score if you haven't had one recently.
He does still jump up to the bed, which I wonder about. I'll look at a ramp. Thanks — this has been really useful.
inparticular.ai
A low ramp to the bed is one of those small changes that makes a real daily difference for a cat like Ludo — he won't thank you out loud, but you'll notice him using it without hesitation once it's there. Stick with the Seraquin consistently and give it a full six weeks before judging it. If you're not seeing any improvement in mobility by then, go back to your vet and ask about a gabapentin trial or a referral for a mobility assessment — there are good options for cats who need more than a supplement. Good luck with him.
