Cats are just as likely as dogs to develop arthritis. Although your feline friend’s arthritis signs may not be as obvious as those of an affected dog, cats feel significant discomfort and experience impaired mobility. In fact, up to 60% of cats have arthritis in at least one joint by age 6, with 90% of cats exhibiting arthritis signs by age 12. 

Arthritis has a tremendous impact on your cat’s quality of life, so learning to recognize their arthritis signs is incredibly important. To help ensure your whiskered pal’s comfort and wellbeing, read The Gentle Vet team’s guide to everything you need to know about feline arthritis.

What causes arthritis in cats?

Arthritis can be spurred by various joint changes, and the condition can often take years to manifest. Cartilage cushions a healthy joint’s bones, but anatomical problems and normal wear and tear cause the cartilage to break down. Without adequate cartilage protection, the bones rub together, creating jagged edges and bone spurs. This rough bone formation triggers swelling, inflammation, and pain, leading to decreased mobility. Arthritis is a progressive condition, meaning cartilage degeneration will continue, causing more and more bone damage. In addition to aging changes, arthritis can be caused by:

  • Joint malformation
  • Congenital defects
  • Ligament injuries (e.g., cranial cruciate ligament tear)
  • Tick-borne disease (e.g., Lyme disease)
  • Immune-mediated diseases
  • Trauma
  • Infection

How can I determine whether my cat has arthritis?

Arthritis can be difficult to detect in cats, particularly the early disease stages. This condition most often affects the spine, hips, knees, and elbows. If your feline friend has arthritis, they may exhibit the following signs:

  • Reluctance to jump or climb
  • Jumping from lower heights
  • Stiffness upon rising
  • Decreased agility
  • Muscle wasting
  • Unkempt hair coat
  • Overgrooming over a joint
  • Irritable or aggressive behavior
  • Hiding and avoiding interaction
  • Excessive vocalization
  • Irritability when petted over painful joints
  • Inappropriate elimination
  • Decreased appetite

How is feline arthritis treated?

After diagnosing your cat with arthritis via a physical exam, X-rays, and trial run of pain medications, the next step is formulating a long-term management plan. Because arthritis is a progressive condition, treatment focuses on keeping your whiskered pal comfortable and mobile to help them enjoy a good quality of life. Feline arthritis management may include:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — NSAIDs are generally the first product recommended after an arthritis diagnosis. Inflammation triggers most of an affected cat’s discomfort. Therefore, your feline friend should feel much better once NSAIDs are keeping their joint inflammation in check. However, few NSAIDs are appropriate for cats, and long-term use at an effective dose may cause them adverse side effects.
  • Pain medication — Opioids can provide short-term relief if your cat is experiencing breakthrough arthritis pain, despite being on a multimodal treatment plan. Other medications that can alleviate pain include gabapentin, which relieves neuropathic pain, and amantadine, which blocks pain receptors.
  • Monoclonal antibodies — Solensia is a newer product that prevents pain by inhibiting nerve growth factor, which causes pain originating within the spinal cord. This product is a once-monthly injection, acting as an ideal treatment for cats who are difficult to medicate orally.
  • Alternative therapies — Because cats have fewer arthritis pain medication options than dogs, alternative therapies can be exceptionally beneficial. Acupuncture, chiropractic care, laser therapy, physical rehabilitation, and even hydrotherapy can prove to be effective feline arthritis treatments.

How can I help manage my cat’s arthritis at home?

At-home care is just as important for keeping your arthritic cat comfortable as veterinary treatments. To improve your feline friend’s mobility and comfort, incorporate the following arthritis-management strategies:

  • Weight management — Helping your cat maintain a lean physique is one of the best ways to reduce their arthritis pain. Eliminating excess weight and additional joint pressure will boost your whiskered pal’s mobility and ease their pain.
  • Daily exercise — Daily low-impact activities (i.e., minimal jumping) will help your cat maintain muscle mass, improve their range of motion, and keep their joints strong.
  • Diet change — A special diet benefits cats by helping manage their weight and maintain their joint health. The Gentle Vet team can recommend an effective diet to encourage safe weight loss, while supporting your cat’s joint health.
  • Joint supplements — Joint supplements that contain powerful anti-inflammatory and joint health ingredients, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, and green-lipped mussels, are beneficial for preserving cartilage.
  • Home modifications — Making your home easier for your cat to navigate will reduce stress on their painful joints. Install stairs or ramps up to lookout towers and favorite furniture, and tack down traction aids, such as yoga mats or carpet runners, to prevent your cat from slipping on a slick floor.
  • Resource access — Ensure that each household cat can easily reach all their resources, including litter boxes, food and water, and beds. So your whiskered pal doesn’t have to trek up or down stairs, keep all their resources on the level of your home where your cat spends most of their time. 

Arthritis is much more common in cats than previously suspected. As veterinary medicine evolves, the profession can more accurately diagnose and treat problems such as feline arthritis. If your whiskered pal is exhibiting arthritis signs, schedule an appointment with The Gentle Vet team.