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What is arthritis in cats?
Arthritis is a broad term for inflammation in a joint. The common degenerative form in cats is osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease. As joint cartilage deteriorates, the joint can become inflamed and painful, limiting movement. There is no single sign that confirms OA, and a cat that moves less may have another health problem.
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Learn more about the condition from VCA Animal Hospitals’ overview of arthritis in cats and its page on degenerative joint disease.
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Age is associated with greater risk, but simple aging is not itself a cause. Osteoarthritis may develop from a combination of factors affecting a cat’s joints, structure, and body condition. Contributing factors described by VCA include abnormal joint development or conformation, previous joint injury or disease, orthopedic surgery, and excess body weight. Examples of joint-development issues include hip or elbow dysplasia and luxating patellas. These factors can increase risk; they do not establish that an individual cat has arthritis.
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VCA discusses these contributors in its articles on arthritis and degenerative joint disease.
What signs might an owner notice?
Look for changes from your cat’s usual routine. Cats can hide pain, so reduced activity or a new difficulty with an everyday task may be more noticeable than a dramatic limp.
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- Stiffness after resting or difficulty getting up
- A changed gait, limping, or sensitivity when touched
- Less jumping up or down, stair use, play, or exploration
- Hiding, irritability, or other unexpected behavior changes
- Less grooming or a coat that looks less well kept
- Difficulty entering or using the litter box
Cornell Feline Health Center notes that “The cat may have trouble hopping in and out of its litter box,” says Dr. Bellezza, “and it may avoid going up and down stairs.” These behaviors can be clues, but they do not prove arthritis. See Cornell’s guide to recognizing when a cat is slowing down.
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How does a veterinarian diagnose it?
Describe what has changed and when: jumping, stairs, walking, play, grooming, temperament, and litter-box use. A veterinarian will consider that history alongside a physical examination, including assessment of the joints. Radiographs or other imaging may help evaluate joint changes. The veterinarian’s assessment matters because similar mobility or behavior changes can have other causes, and the findings help guide treatment.
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If the problem comes and goes, a short home video of the movement may help you show what you have observed. It is a practical record, not a substitute for an examination or a diagnosis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How is cat arthritis managed?
Care is individualized and often combines measures aimed at pain, body condition, movement, and access around the home. The appropriate plan depends on the cat’s health and the veterinarian’s assessment. Options described by VCA include veterinarian-selected pain medication, nutrition and weight planning, and rehabilitation or other physical modalities. Some cats may also be considered for supplements, but their evidence and suitability should be discussed with the veterinarian.
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Pain control and monitoring
Veterinarians may consider different medicines for different cats. VCA’s examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as robenacoxib or meloxicam, gabapentin, and the monthly injectable anti-NGF antibody frunevetmab (Solensia). These are examples, not a medication plan: suitability, contraindications, monitoring, and availability can vary by cat and jurisdiction. Follow the veterinarian’s instructions, including for follow-up; do not change a dose or combine medicines unless the veterinarian directs you to.
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Weight, nutrition, and supplements
If a cat is overweight, a veterinarian can recommend a safe weight-management and nutrition plan. Avoid abrupt food restriction or an unsupervised diet. VCA’s nutrition guide for cats with arthritis discusses body condition and nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids. VCA also describes glucosamine and chondroitin as supplement categories, while advising owners to ask about the supporting scientific data. Supplements do not replace diagnosis or pain care, and they should not be started without veterinary advice.
Activity and rehabilitation
A veterinarian may include rehabilitation or other physical modalities in a broader plan. The aim is to support function as well as pain control; what is appropriate depends on the cat. Ask before starting a new exercise routine or therapy, particularly if movement seems painful.
What changes can make home life easier?
Home adjustments can reduce the effort needed to reach familiar places. They improve access or comfort; they do not treat the joint disease.
- Provide soft, supportive bedding in a warm, easy-to-reach resting spot.
- Put food and water where the cat can reach them without jumping; raised dishes may help some cats.
- Use nonslip mats or flooring where a cat struggles to get traction.
- Place a stable ramp, low step, or carpeted stairs beside a favorite elevated resting place.
- Consider a low-entry litter box if stepping over the current edge is difficult, and keep essential resources accessible.
Choose stable equipment that does not wobble or slide, and observe whether your cat uses it comfortably. VCA’s care guide for cats with osteoarthritis and International Cat Care’s home-modification guide describe practical ways to adapt a cat’s surroundings.
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