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Does My Cat Have Arthritis?

Moggie Marketing

20 Feb 2024 1 min read

Does My Cat Have Arthritis?

Nowadays, our cats are living longer than they used to because of better veterinary care and nutrition, with many reaching their twenties. One of the most common conditions that our elderly cats develop is arthritis. Sadly, signs of arthritis can be difficult to recognise given the aloof nature of our furry friends.

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What is arthritis?

If you are the parent of an older cat, your vet may have asked you if your furry bestie has shown any signs of arthritis. But what is arthritis exactly? Arthritis means inflammation of the joints; it usually develops over years as the cartilage that lines the joints wears away, allowing bones to rub together. This in turn leads to inflammation in the joints which causes pain and swelling.

The majority of cats over the age of 12 will have arthritis but as you may know from being a cat parent, cats are good at being mysterious! Early signs of feline arthritis may just mean our kitty is sleeping more than usual or hesitates a second longer before jumping. As arthritis gets worse, you might notice your kitty’s back legs becoming skinnier because of muscle loss, they might limp and their coat may become matted as they struggle to groom themselves.
While arthritis mainly happens because of aging, it's also possible if your kitty has had a trauma (hit by a car, fallen) causing broken bones or ligament injuries, had an infection or has an immune-mediated disease.

Cat Image
Cat Image

Arthritis will eventually happen in all of our feline oldies, however we know that they are more likely to suffer from it if overweight, so the most important thing we can do for our furry besties is to keep them lean throughout their life!

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What can I do to help my cat with arthritis?

Arthritis will gradually worsen over time but the good news is there are lots of ways we can make our cats feel better and slow down its progression! A really important aspect is making sure your kitty is as lean as possible, because carrying extra weight will put a strain on joints, causing more discomfort.



Pain relief is a game-changer for our furry besties! Many cat parents realize their kitty was uncomfortable only after seeing the response to a trial on pain relief. Our furry oldies will suddenly be more active and back to their playful self - a real joy that brings back memories of their younger years!



At home, we can make life more comfortable by keeping our cat’s bed, litter tray, water and food bowls close together so everything is within easy reach and preferably low to the ground. Open litter trays with low edges are also better so that our kitties don’t feel discomfort when trying to step or jump into the tray. If our oldie likes to sleep on sofas, beds, or other raised surfaces, placing ramps or steps nearby will enable a route that is more gentle on their joints!

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