Understanding Arthritis in Cats: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

By Sophie Kininmonth · 11 Dec 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

Arthritis is one of the most common reasons an older cat starts moving differently, hesitating before a jump, taking the stairs one careful step at a time, or seeming to age almost overnight. In cats it usually means osteoarthritis, a long-term change in the joints that brings pain, stiffness, and a shrinking range of motion. The tricky part is that cats rarely limp or complain. They tend to quietly stop doing whatever hurts, so the pain can simmer for months before anyone notices. The good news is that it is very treatable in a practical sense: less pain, easier movement, and a return to something close to normal daily life.^{1, 2, 7}

What arthritis in cats actually is

In cats, arthritis most often means osteoarthritis, a progressive condition where joint cartilage and the surrounding tissues change over time. That leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.³ It commonly affects the elbows and hips, but it can also involve the shoulders, knees, hocks (ankles), and parts of the spine.⁷

Why it is easy to miss

Cats are very good at quietly adapting. Rather than 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 usually report other changes first, especially a reluctance to jump and a shorter, lower hop onto furniture or windowsills.⁷

Signs to watch for at home

Arthritis tends to arrive as small edits to normal behaviour. Look for a pattern over days to weeks, not a single moment.

Movement and posture

Hesitating before jumping up or down, and 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

Less grooming, or a scruffier or matted coat, often over the back and hindquarters where bending is hardest.^{1, 2}
Sometimes the opposite: overgrooming a sore area, which can cause hair loss or irritated skin over a joint.²

Temperament and daily life

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 when getting in and 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 clue that points to arthritis is the steady, consistent way a 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 will not bear weight, is crying out, hiding unusually, or has stopped 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 an injury or where a joint formed abnormally, for example hip dysplasia.² Factors that commonly increase the risk or worsen the signs include:

Age, since it becomes much more common as cats get older.²
Previous injury to a joint, such as fractures, dislocations, or ligament damage.²
Excess body weight, which increases load on the joints and can make moving harder.²

How vets diagnose it

A diagnosis usually starts with a history of what you have noticed at home, plus 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} In cats, though, X-rays do not always match the pain picture. Some cats hurt with minimal changes on the images, and some joints can look arthritic without being the main source of discomfort. That is why vets often focus on function and response to treatment rather than imaging alone.⁷

Treatment options

Arthritis cannot be cured, but pain and function can often be improved markedly with a layered plan: pain relief, weight and muscle support, and an easier home environment.^{1, 7}

Pain relief prescribed by a vet

Medication choices depend on your cat's age, kidney and liver health, and any other conditions. Never give human pain relief, because 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, since 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. It works by targeting nerve growth factor (NGF).^{8, 9}

Supplements and supportive care

Joint supplements are commonly used, but the response varies between individual cats. If you are considering supplements, including omega-3s, ask your vet what suits your cat alongside their main pain plan and diet.

Gentle, realistic movement

Keeping a cat moving helps maintain muscle and joint function, but the goal is steady, low-key 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 help

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 does not 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, and favourite beds.¹
Warmth and padding: offer soft, supportive bedding in a warm, draught-free spot. Many arthritic cats settle better with extra cushioning.^{2, 7}
Raised bowls can reduce the need to crouch deeply if bending is uncomfortable.⁷

What prevention is realistic

You cannot prevent every case, since some age-related change is simply 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 the joints and makes movement easier to maintain.^{2, 7} It also helps to arrange stepping-stone access to high places so your cat can climb and descend safely, rather than making repeated full jumps to hard landings.⁷

Living with an arthritic cat

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}

The bottom line

Arthritis in cats is common, often subtle, and very often treatable in a practical way: 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

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.