People usually find this topic when their cat starts moving differently — hesitating before a jump, taking the stairs one careful step at a time, or seeming “older” almost overnight. Arthritis is a common cause, and it matters because cats tend to reduce what hurts rather than show obvious lameness, so pain can simmer quietly for months.1, 2, 7
Below are the practical signs worth trusting, what a vet can (and can’t) confirm with tests, and the mix of pain relief and home changes that usually brings the most noticeable improvement — without guessing or pushing your cat beyond what their joints can manage.1, 7
What arthritis in cats actually is
In cats, “arthritis” most often means osteoarthritis: a long-term, progressive condition where joint cartilage and surrounding tissues change over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.3
It commonly affects joints such as the elbows and hips, but it can also involve shoulders, knees, hocks (ankles), and parts of the spine.7
Why it’s easy to miss in cats
Cats are skilled at quietly adapting. Instead of limping, many simply stop doing the things that demand joint power: jumping up, jumping down, twisting mid-air, or stretching into awkward grooming positions.1, 7
Limping can happen, but owners often report other changes first — especially reluctance to jump and a shorter, lower “hop” onto furniture or windowsills.7
Common symptoms (what you’re likely to notice at home)
Arthritis signs tend to arrive as small edits to normal behaviour. Look for a pattern over days to weeks, not a single moment.
Movement and posture changes
- Hesitating before jumping up or down; choosing lower resting spots.1, 7
- Stiffness after rest, moving more slowly when getting up.1, 7
- Difficulty with stairs, cat flaps, or high-sided litter trays.1
- Reduced overall activity — more sitting, more sleeping, less exploring or play.1
Grooming and coat clues
- Less grooming, or a scruffier/matted coat (often over the back and hindquarters where bending is hardest).1, 2
- Sometimes the opposite: overgrooming a sore area, which can lead to hair loss or irritated skin over a joint.2
Temperament and daily-life changes
- Irritability when handled or brushed, especially around the hips and lower back.1
- Toileting changes: avoiding the litter tray, missing it, or choosing an easier spot if getting in/out is painful.1
Could it be something else?
Yes. Reduced jumping and slower movement can also come from obesity, dental pain, heart or lung disease, neurological problems, or other orthopaedic issues. The key difference with arthritis is the steady, consistent way your cat modifies movement — especially anything involving jumping, climbing, and grooming reach.1
If the change is sudden (over a day or two), or your cat won’t bear weight, is crying out, hiding unusually, or stops eating, treat it as urgent and book a veterinary check promptly.1
Causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis is often linked to age-related joint wear, but it can also develop after injury or where a joint formed abnormally (for example, hip dysplasia).2
Factors that commonly increase risk or worsen signs include:
- Age (it becomes much more common as cats get older).2
- Previous injury to a joint (fractures, dislocations, ligament damage).2
- Excess body weight, which increases load on joints and can make mobility harder.2
How vets diagnose arthritis (and why X-rays aren’t the whole story)
A diagnosis usually starts with a history (what you’ve noticed at home) and a physical exam to assess gait, joint range of motion, and pain responses. X-rays can help identify arthritic changes and rule out other problems.1, 7
But in cats, X-rays don’t always match the pain picture. Some cats have pain with minimal radiographic changes, and some joints can look arthritic without being the main source of discomfort. This is one reason vets may focus on function and response to treatment, not imaging alone.7
Treatment options (what tends to help most)
Arthritis can’t be “cured”, but pain and function can often be improved markedly with a layered plan: pain relief, weight and muscle support, and an easier environment.1, 7
Pain relief prescribed by a vet
Medication choices depend on your cat’s age, kidney/liver health, and other conditions. Don’t give human pain relief: many common products are dangerous for cats.
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may be used by vets in carefully selected cats and dosing plans, because cats are more sensitive to NSAID side effects than dogs.7
- Frunevetmab (Solensia) is a monthly injection given in-clinic to control osteoarthritis pain in cats, working by targeting nerve growth factor (NGF).8, 9
Supplements and supportive care
Joint supplements are commonly used, but response varies between individual cats. If you’re considering supplements (including omega-3s), ask your vet what’s suitable alongside your cat’s main pain plan and diet.
Gentle, realistic movement
Keeping a cat moving helps maintain muscle and joint function, but the goal is steady, low-drama activity — short play bursts, frequent breaks, and no pressure to jump for toys. If your cat is sore afterwards, it was too much.2
Home changes that make daily life easier
Environmental tweaks often pay off quickly because they remove the repeated “pinch points” of the day — the jump down from the bed, the awkward litter tray entry, the cold corner where joints stiffen.
- Make height optional: add a stable step, box, or ramp to favourite sleeping spots so your cat can climb in stages instead of leaping.1, 7
- Swap to a low-entry litter tray (or add a second tray) so toileting doesn’t require a painful climb over high sides.1, 7
- Improve footing: place non-slip mats on slick floors along common routes (to food, water, litter, favourite beds).1
- Warmth and padding: offer soft, supportive bedding in a warm, draught-free place. Many arthritic cats settle better with extra cushioning.2, 7
- Raised bowls can reduce the need to crouch deeply if bending is uncomfortable.7
Preventing arthritis (what’s realistic)
You can’t prevent every case — age-related change is part of being a cat — but you can reduce joint load and protect mobility over the long run. The most reliable, everyday lever is body condition: keeping your cat lean reduces stress on joints and makes movement easier to maintain.2, 7
Also help your cat climb and descend safely by arranging “stepping stone” access to high places, rather than repeated full jumps to hard landings.7
Living with a cat with arthritis
With good pain control and a kinder setup at home, many cats return to familiar routines — not always the high leaps of youth, but a steady, comfortable version of themselves. Recheck appointments matter, because arthritis is progressive and treatment usually needs small adjustments over time.1, 2
Final thoughts
Arthritis in cats is common, often subtle, and very often treatable in a practical sense: less pain, easier movement, and more normal daily behaviour. If your cat is jumping less, grooming differently, or quietly shrinking their world, a veterinary assessment is the safest next step — and usually the start of visible relief.1, 7
References
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase: I think my cat has arthritis, what should I do?
- Perth Cat Hospital: Arthritis in cats
- RSPCA Pet Insurance Australia: Arthritis in pets — what is it, and how can you help?
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Behaviour changes and pain in ageing cats
- Blue Cross: Arthritis in cats
- PDSA: Arthritis in cats
- US FDA: Osteoarthritis in Cats: More Common Than You Think
- Zoetis Petcare: Solensia (frunevetmab) — indication and safety information
- Zoetis press release (13 January 2022): FDA approval of Solensia (frunevetmab) for osteoarthritis pain in cats
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom