Cats are generally considered graceful creatures, but many conditions can interfere with their natural flexibility and mobility. Arthritis is a common degenerative joint condition that can take a significant toll on your feline friend’s elegant movements, but the condition can be successfully managed to keep your cat comfortable and agile. Our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team shares need-to-know facts about feline arthritis to preserve your cat’s joint function.

#1: Arthritis is more common in cats than people realize

Arthritis is often considered a normal aging change in older pets, but cats often develop the disease well before they reach their golden years. Recent studies showed that up to 60% of cats have arthritis characteristics by age 6, and 90% by age 12. With the advances in care, a pet’s lifespan is ever-increasing, and your cat may develop arthritis when they are a young adult.

#2: Arthritis can affect any joint in a cat

While arthritis regularly affects the joints that take the brunt of excessive force when your cat jumps, any joint can degrade over time. In cats, the most frequently affected joints include the elbows, hips, ankles, and shoulders. Arthritis also has been seen in the sternum and backbone.

#3: Obesity makes arthritis much worse in cats

Obesity is a huge problem in cats, with 61% of the feline population classified as overweight or obese in 2022. Excess weight in cats causes significant health problems, from heart disease and respiratory problems, to liver issues and diabetes. Each extra pound more than their ideal weight also puts tremendous force on their joints. 

If your cat is carrying two extra pounds, which may be as much as 20% of their total body weight, consider the added difficulty when they leap and climb. Keeping your cat in their ideal body condition will greatly reduce the stress on their joints.

#4: Cats rarely show the same arthritis signs as dogs

While people expect their arthritic pet to limp, that clinical sign is much more common in dogs than cats. In cats, the same joints are typically affected on both sides of their body, and they often compensate for the joint pain and appear to walk normally. Other common arthritis signs in dogs seldom seen in cats include a decreased range of motion and a grinding, crunching feeling in a joint (i.e., crepitus).

Cats exhibit their own set of clinical signs, which may include:

  • An unwillingness or inability to jump
  • Shorter jumping range
  • Weight loss
  • Appetite loss
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Hiding
  • Poor grooming habits
  • Inappropriate elimination
  • Muscle mass loss

Your cat’s appearance, behaviors, and activities will usually change slowly, as arthritis is a progressive condition that may not cause serious, visible problems for months or years.

#5: Diagnosing feline arthritis can be difficult

Cats not only show less obvious arthritis signs, but also are difficult to physically examine in a veterinary hospital. Some cats are confident and self-assured in a hospital setting, but most will hunker down in their carrier or their owner’s arms. And, while we may recommend taking X-rays to determine the extent of your cat’s joint pain, the radiographs may show minimal or nonexistent changes, despite the clear arthritis signs you see at home.

Because most cats will not allow us to assess their gait or perform a thorough orthopedic exam, and X-rays do not identify changes, we often rely on their treatment response for a diagnosis. 

#6: Environmental enrichment can help ward off arthritis

Varied environmental enrichment is critical not only for your feline friend’s health and wellbeing, but also to slow arthritis development and progression. Ensure your cat stays active with items that encourage regular exercise, such as climbing towers, scratching posts, and interactive toys. An active cat will better maintain a lean body condition, strong muscles, and flexible joints.

#7: Multimodal approaches are key to feline arthritis management

Environmental changes in your home, plus a multimodal treatment plan, can help keep your arthritic cat comfortable. The treatment plan should include:

  • Pain-relieving medications — You can manage your cat’s arthritis with a variety of medications designed to alleviate inflammation, ease pain, and restore mobility. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, neuropathic pain medications, and disease-modifying products can be combined into a highly effective multimodal treatment plan.
  • Prescription diet — Prescription diets can offer weight-loss and joint-health benefits for cats, battling two problems in one.
  • Alternative therapies — Some cats are difficult to medicate, so therapies that do not focus on pharmaceutical products can be incredibly effective. If you are struggling to medicate your cat for their pain, or traditional treatments are not providing enough relief, consider acupuncture, chiropractic care, laser therapy, and physical rehabilitation exercises.

Arthritis is often considered a senior pet’s condition, but research is showing that degenerative joint disease can develop much earlier in cats. Ensure your feline friend remains comfortable and mobile for many more years by scheduling regular wellness care, including a discussion about weight management and joint health, with our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team.