Osteoarthritis in Cats: The Silent Disease Hiding in Plain Sight. Why Your Cat Probably Isn't "Just Getting Older"

By Steve Mehler, DVM, DACVS

Most people imagine arthritis as a disease of old dogs struggling to climb stairs or stiffly rising from their bed.

Cats?

They seem to age gracefully.

They don't limp.

They don't whine.

They don't stop jumping overnight.

Or so we think.

The truth is far more surprising.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic diseases in cats, yet it is also one of the most underdiagnosed.

Many owners assume their senior cat is simply "slowing down."

In reality, that slowing down may be a sign of chronic pain.

How Common Is Osteoarthritis in Cats?

Far more common than most people realize.

Studies have shown:

• Approximately 60–90% of cats over six years of age have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis.

• In cats older than 12 years, the prevalence approaches 90%.

One landmark study found that more than 90% of cats over 12 years of age had radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease, even though many owners had never suspected arthritis.

In other words:

If your cat is a senior, arthritis is the rule—not the exception.

Why Cats Hide Pain So Well

Cats evolved as both predators and prey.

Showing weakness in the wild could make them vulnerable.

Instead of crying or limping dramatically, cats compensate.

They simply change how they move.

Owners often describe these changes as:

"He's just getting older."

"She sleeps more."

"He doesn't jump onto the counter anymore."

Those subtle changes are exactly how arthritis often appears.

Signs of Arthritis in Cats

Unlike dogs, cats rarely have an obvious limp.

Instead, look for:

• Jumping onto lower surfaces

• Hesitating before jumping

• Using steps instead of leaping

• Sleeping more

• Reduced grooming

• Matted hair over the back

• Irritability when handled

• Difficulty climbing stairs

• Stiffness after resting

• Reduced play

• Missing the litter box because climbing in is uncomfortable

• Less interaction with family members

These are often signs of pain—not simply aging.

Where Does Arthritis Occur?

Cats develop arthritis in many joints.

The most common include:

• Elbows

• Hips

• Knees

• Hocks (ankles)

• Shoulders

• Spine

Unlike dogs, arthritis affecting the elbows is especially common.

Many cats have disease affecting multiple joints simultaneously.

Arthritis Is Not Just "Wear and Tear"

Modern research has changed how we think about osteoarthritis.

It's no longer considered a simple consequence of aging.

Instead, OA is an active inflammatory disease.

Joint injury, abnormal loading, obesity, or age-related cartilage changes trigger inflammation inside the joint.

This leads to:

• Cartilage degeneration

• Synovitis

• Bone remodeling

• Osteophyte formation

• Chronic pain

The inflammation continues even after the initial damage occurs.

Why Cats Don't Limp Like Dogs

Cats distribute weight differently than dogs.

They also compensate exceptionally well.

Rather than limping dramatically, they simply:

• Shorten their stride

• Shift weight

• Avoid difficult movements

• Reduce activity

Many owners don't notice anything until the disease becomes advanced.

Obesity Makes Arthritis Worse

Excess body weight dramatically increases joint loading.

But obesity does something else too.

Fat tissue is biologically active.

It releases inflammatory molecules called adipokines that may contribute to chronic inflammation throughout the body.

Keeping cats lean reduces:

• Joint loading

• Inflammation

• Pain

• Disease progression

Weight management remains one of the most effective treatments for feline osteoarthritis.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Arthritis

Diagnosis involves more than looking at X-rays.

Your veterinarian considers:

• History

• Physical examination

• Joint manipulation

• Muscle condition

• Gait assessment

• Radiographs

Interestingly, the severity of arthritis on X-rays doesn't always match the amount of pain a cat experiences.

Some cats with severe radiographic changes appear relatively comfortable.

Others with mild changes can be significantly painful.

Treating Arthritis Has Changed Dramatically

Years ago, treatment options were limited.

Today we have a much more comprehensive approach.

Pain Relief

Veterinarians may recommend:

• NSAIDs (when appropriate)

• Solensia® (frunevetmab), an anti–nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody

• Other pain medications based on individual needs

Solensia has been a major advance because it specifically targets nerve growth factor (NGF), an important mediator of chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Weight Loss

Even modest weight reduction can significantly improve mobility.

One of the best arthritis treatments may simply be helping your cat reach an ideal body condition.

Environmental Modifications

Small changes around the house make a tremendous difference.

Examples include:

• Pet stairs

• Ramps

• Lower-sided litter boxes

• Soft bedding

• Food and water placed on one level

• Easy access to favorite resting places

These changes reduce painful movements without restricting activity.

Encourage Gentle Activity

Unlike complete rest, moderate daily movement helps maintain:

• Muscle mass

• Joint mobility

• Cartilage nutrition

Think of cartilage like a sponge.

Movement compresses cartilage, pushing out waste products and drawing in fresh synovial fluid rich in nutrients.

Cats should be encouraged—not forced—to stay active.

Joint Supplements

Some cats benefit from supplements containing:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)

• Green-lipped mussel

• Glucosamine and chondroitin (evidence is mixed)

While supplements are unlikely to reverse arthritis, they may play a supportive role in a multimodal treatment plan.

Arthritis Changes Behavior

Many owners think arthritis is purely a mobility problem.

It isn't.

Pain changes personality.

Cats with chronic pain may become:

• Less affectionate

• More withdrawn

• Less playful

• Irritable

• Less willing to interact

Treating arthritis often improves not only mobility but also quality of life and social behavior.

The Importance of Early Recognition

Arthritis doesn't develop overnight.

It progresses gradually over months to years.

Recognizing subtle changes early allows treatment to begin before severe pain develops.

Ask yourself:

• Has my cat stopped jumping?

• Does my cat hesitate before climbing?

• Is grooming becoming less frequent?

• Is my cat sleeping more than usual?

Those may be signs worth discussing with your veterinarian.

The Bottom Line

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases affecting older cats, yet it frequently goes unrecognized because cats hide pain so well.

If your cat has become less active, jumps less often, sleeps more, or seems "slower," don't assume it's simply old age.

It may be chronic pain—and the good news is that arthritis is no longer something we simply have to accept.

With advances in pain management, weight control, environmental modifications, and newer therapies like anti-NGF monoclonal antibodies, many arthritic cats can become more comfortable, more active, and enjoy a significantly better quality of life.

Growing older is inevitable.

Living with untreated pain doesn't have to be.

References

1. Lascelles BDX, Henry JB III, Brown J, et al. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of radiographic degenerative joint disease in domesticated cats. Veterinary Surgery. 2010;39:535–544.

2. Slingerland LI, Hazewinkel HAW, Meij BP, et al. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats. Veterinary Journal. 2011;187:304–309.

3. Benito J, Hansen B, DePuy V, et al. Feline musculoskeletal pain index: responsiveness and testing of criterion validity. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2013;27:474–482.

4. Monteiro BP, Steagall PVM, Lascelles BDX. Current understanding and approach to feline osteoarthritis. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2020;50:635–654.

5. Gruen ME, Griffith EH, Thomson AE, et al. Detection of naturally occurring osteoarthritis-associated pain in cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2014;28:1662–1670.

6. Epstein ME, Rodan I, Griffenhagen G, et al. 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 2022.

7. Lascelles BDX, Knazovicky D, Case B, et al. Feline degenerative joint disease and chronic pain: a review of current knowledge. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2022.

8. Enomoto M, Mantyh PW, Murrell J, et al. Frunevetmab, an anti–nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2021.