Arthritis in Cats: Far More Common Than You Think
When most people picture an arthritic animal, they think of an elderly dog struggling to rise from its bed. Cats, however, are equally — and arguably more — affected by degenerative joint disease, yet the condition is vastly under-recognised in feline patients. Research published in veterinary literature suggests that more than 90 per cent of cats over the age of 12 show radiographic evidence of arthritis, and significant joint changes have been found in cats as young as six. Despite these figures, the condition frequently goes undiagnosed for years.
The reasons for this are rooted in feline biology, owner perception, and the genuinely subtle way in which cats express discomfort. Understanding what to look for — and why cats conceal their pain so effectively — is the first step towards getting your cat the help they deserve.
Why Cats Hide Pain: The Evolutionary Explanation
Cats are both predators and prey animals. In the wild, showing vulnerability invites attack, so millions of years of evolution have shaped cats to mask signs of weakness, including pain. Unlike dogs, who may whimper, limp dramatically, or seek reassurance, cats tend to withdraw, become still, and reduce their activity rather than vocalise distress.
This stoicism is one of the main reasons arthritis is so frequently missed in domestic cats. Owners often interpret a cat sleeping more or no longer jumping onto the sofa as normal ageing, when in reality the cat may be managing significant, chronic pain. By the time many cats are brought to the vet for joint-related complaints, the disease is already well advanced.
Subtle Signs of Arthritis in Cats
Because cats rarely limp in the obvious way a dog might, the signs of arthritis tend to be behavioural and easy to dismiss. Knowing what to watch for can make an enormous difference to your cat's wellbeing.
Changes in Mobility
- Reluctance or refusal to jump up onto surfaces they previously used — beds, sofas, window sills, or favourite high spots
- Hesitation before jumping down, or choosing to step down via intermediate surfaces rather than jumping directly
- A stiff gait, particularly noticeable when the cat first rises after resting
- Shorter stride length or an altered walking pattern
Litter Tray Problems
- Missing the litter tray and toileting just outside it — climbing over a high-sided tray may have become too painful
- Avoiding the tray altogether if it is located somewhere requiring steps or a significant jump
Grooming Changes
- A coat that looks unkempt, matted, or dull — the cat can no longer twist comfortably to reach certain areas
- Conversely, over-grooming or licking intensely at a specific joint, which can indicate localised pain
- Overgrown claws, as an arthritic cat may stop using a scratching post
Personality and Behavioural Changes
- Increased irritability, grumpiness, or aggression — especially when touched around the spine, hips, or limbs
- Social withdrawal, spending more time alone and away from the family
- Sleeping in new locations that are easier to access — no longer seeking out the high, warm spot they once loved
- Reduced interest in play or interaction
Any combination of these changes in a middle-aged or older cat warrants a veterinary consultation. Even in younger cats, joint problems can develop, particularly following injury or in certain breeds.
Diagnosis: What to Expect at the Vet
Diagnosing feline arthritis requires a combination of clinical examination, imaging, and — increasingly — structured input from the cat's owner. During a physical examination, your vet will assess your cat's range of motion in each joint, feel for signs of muscle wasting, and observe how the cat moves.
X-rays (radiographs) are the cornerstone of diagnosis, revealing joint space narrowing, bony changes, and the presence of osteophytes (bone spurs). However, radiographic changes do not always correlate perfectly with the degree of pain a cat experiences, so clinical signs matter enormously.
Owner-completed behaviour questionnaires are increasingly used in feline pain assessment. Tools validated for cats — such as the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) — ask owners to score changes in specific daily activities over time. This kind of structured observation is invaluable, because you see your cat every day and are best placed to notice the gradual changes that a vet might not observe in a single consultation. Organisations such as WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) and FECAVA (Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations) actively promote the use of validated pain assessment tools in companion animal practice.
Multimodal Pain Management
There is no cure for arthritis, but modern veterinary medicine offers a range of treatments that, used in combination, can substantially improve a cat's comfort and quality of life. The goal is multimodal pain management — addressing pain through several mechanisms simultaneously.
Medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the most widely used pharmaceutical treatment for feline arthritis. Meloxicam, used at a very low, cat-specific dose and always prescribed by a vet, can provide meaningful pain relief in many cats. Because cats metabolise drugs differently from dogs and humans, it is essential that no NSAID is given without veterinary guidance. Regular monitoring of kidney function is recommended for cats on long-term NSAID therapy.
Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant with pain-modulating properties, is increasingly prescribed alongside NSAIDs for cats with chronic pain, particularly where nerve sensitisation is a factor.
Anti-NGF Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
One of the most significant advances in feline pain management in recent years is the development of anti-NGF (nerve growth factor) monoclonal antibody therapies. Frunevetmab, marketed as Solensia and licensed in the European Union, is a monthly injection administered by a vet. It works by targeting and neutralising nerve growth factor, a key mediator of pain in osteoarthritis. Clinical trials have demonstrated meaningful improvements in owner-assessed mobility scores, and because it is a biological therapy rather than a traditional drug, it does not carry the same risks to kidney function as NSAIDs. For cats who cannot tolerate conventional pain relief, this represents a genuinely exciting option.
Physiotherapy and Acupuncture
Veterinary physiotherapy — including gentle massage, range-of-motion exercises, and hydrotherapy where available — can help maintain muscle mass and joint flexibility. Acupuncture, practised by qualified veterinary professionals, has evidence supporting its use in chronic pain management and is well tolerated by many cats. Both approaches complement pharmaceutical management rather than replacing it.
Home Adaptations That Make a Real Difference
Alongside veterinary treatment, thoughtful changes at home can have a profound impact on your arthritic cat's daily comfort.
- Place ramps or shallow steps beside sofas, beds, and window sills so your cat can reach their favourite spots without jumping
- Switch to a litter tray with at least one low-sided entry point — many cats with arthritis struggle with standard high-sided trays
- Raise food and water bowls slightly so your cat does not need to lower their neck and shoulders uncomfortably to eat and drink
- Provide warm, soft bedding in easily accessible locations; orthopaedic or memory foam options can be particularly helpful
- Ensure warmth — cold weather tends to worsen joint stiffness, so a warm environment, especially overnight, benefits arthritic cats greatly
- Keep the litter tray, food, and water on the same level of the home so your cat does not need to manage stairs more than necessary
When to Seek Veterinary Help
If your cat is showing any change in mobility, behaviour, grooming habits, or litter tray use — however subtle — it is worth booking a veterinary appointment. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the sooner it is identified, the sooner you can begin management that genuinely improves your cat's quality of life.
Cats are masters at hiding how they feel. They rely on us to notice the quiet signals they send. A cat that no longer jumps to their favourite shelf, that flinches when stroked along the back, or that seems somehow smaller and less engaged with the world deserves to be heard. With the right veterinary support and a few thoughtful changes at home, most arthritic cats can be made far more comfortable — often to a degree that surprises both their owners and their vets.
Do not wait for obvious lameness before seeking help. In cats, pain is almost never obvious — and that is precisely why it so often goes untreated for too long.