Arthritis in Cats

As your cat matures and ages, over time you may find that they may become a little less agile than before. With older cats you might see a gradual decrease in physical activity and an increase in sleeping.

While your cat may be in overall great shape for their age, it’s important to look out for any signs of joint problems and arthritis. This condition does affect cats and can cause pain and discomfort so it’s important that you keep on the lookout for the signs of arthritis.

What is arthritis in cats?

Arthritis is a condition that occurs as their joints naturally age and the cartilage material between the bones deteriorates and reduces in flexibility. This causes the bones in their joints to rub together, resulting in stiffness and pain. Arthritis in cats is quite common and according to Cats Protection, around 80% of cats over the age of 10 have some form of the disease.

What causes arthritis in cats?

Arthritis in cats is caused due to wear and tear, or when damage occurs to your cat’s joints, making them painful to move. Most commonly, arthritis in cats is a result of the ageing process as the cartilage between the joints deteriorates and reduces in flexibility. However, younger cats can also get arthritis if they have suffered from an injury or infection in the joint.

The most common type of arthritis in cats is osteoarthritis, which happens as a result of repeated wear and tear of joints, and can also develop as a result of a previous injury.

There are four main symptoms of cat arthritis to look out for:

Changing how they move:

• Your cat may be more hesitant in their movements, and less likely to jump onto furniture that is out of reach.
• They may even experience difficulty in climbing or descending stairs and so avoid doing so.
• Your cat may  seem tired or show a lack of interest in exercise.
• Cat arthritis can cause stiffness in the legs. Watch your cat moving after they wake up, as signs of stiffness or lameness may be more evident after a long period of inactivity.

Being less active:

• If suffering from arthritis, you may notices that your cat resting and sleep much more. They might also lie down in different areas that are easier to access rather than jumping onto beds or higher furniture.
• Your cat may also be less inclined to play or explore as cat arthritis makes it painful or uncomfortable to move.

A change of grooming habits

• Your cat may groom themselves less – or miss harder to reach spots due to a lack of mobility. This can result in a dirty or unkempt coat that might appear matted.
• Your cat may focus on grooming areas that are in pain, such as excessively grooming over a particular joint. This could lead to hair loss or even sores over that joint.

Mood changes

• If your cat exhibits irritation at being handled where previously they enjoyed close contact then this could be a sign of joint pain from arthritis.
• Your cat may seek to spend more time alone, avoiding meeting people or other animals.

Toilet training failures

If you have a high sided litter tray, your cat may struggle to climb into it and so find other places to toilet. Also if your cat usually goes outside, a cat flap placed at a height that requires some feline agility can be difficult for them.

Diagnosis of cat arthritis

If your cat demonstrates any of the above symptoms, or if you just notice any changes that you think could be a result of stiffness or pain, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet. Your vet will be able to conduct a thorough clinical examination to check for arthritis, which involves moving the joint to check for any stiffness, pain and grating.

Cat arthritis treatments

While there’s no permanent cure for arthritis in cats, you can still try to slow down the progression of arthritis and improve your cat’s quality of life with treatments that can help reduce their symptoms and associated pain. Speak to your vet about possible treatment options, but they may include:

1. Specialist diet

The first consideration may be a specialist diet. This is good for the long term as it can help to improve movement and make your more active over time. Our senior cat food is an ideal diet for arthritic cats, as it has added minerals and vitamin D to promote healthy bones and improved mobility.

2. Weight management

If your cat is overweight, it can make their arthritis worse as it puts stress on already painful joints. The best way to reduce their weight is with a healthier diet and making sure that they continue to do some gentle exercise. You should consult your vet for advice on this as they will be able to make suggestions for a suitable exercise regime. Chase games that involve fast movements, sudden stops and turns, or jumping down from heights should be avoided, as this could be painful for your cat and make arthritis worse.

3. Medications

Prescription medications such as anti-inflammatories and pain killers can help improve your cat’s quality of life. These medications offer immediate relief and can help manage your cat’s arthritis while you set up a long-term management plan. Be sure that you give your cat medications that are prescribed by a vet and specifically designed for cats, as ones for humans are not suitable, too high in dosage and may be toxic.

4. Supplements

Sometimes supplements can be effective in treating cat arthritis. These include essential fatty acids, glucosamine, cod liver oil and chondroitin. It’s often difficult to assess if these actually help or not, so supplements should only be used under veterinary advice. Again, do not give your cat supplements for human consumption.

Usually a combination of treatments is the most effective way to help with cat arthritis, but it’s always best to consult your vet who can help you develop a personalised treatment plan for your cat.

Cat joint care at home

If your cat has been diagnosed with joint problems or cat arthritis there are a few things you can do to make their life a little easier:

• Make sure everything they need is easily accessible. Buying a low sided cat litter tray that is easy access or buying a soft bed with no hard edges will make them much easier to use.
• Some arthritic cats enjoy a heat pad in their bed as that seem to sooth joints. Make sure wherever they want to lie is draught-free and cozy.
• Try providing a ramp or steps to places they could previously jump up to, making sure that they can still continue to enjoy their favourite spots.
• Increase your time grooming your cat, and focus on areas that are hard to reach.
• Keep all play gentle.
• Remember that just because they are less active doesn’t mean that they don’t need quality time spent with you. In fact, they need it even more than ever. If they normally sit beside you (or even on you) or have been used to sharing your bed, make sure they still have access to these spots (using a ramp or steps) so you can both still enjoy your relationship and being together. 

Next, find out more about caring for your senior cat with our expert guide.