Cats are masters at hiding discomfort. Published surveys suggest that a substantial majority of cats over 12 years old have radiographic evidence of joint changes (osteoarthritis), yet most go undiagnosed because cats rarely limp obviously the way dogs do. (Hardie et al., 2002) Instead, the signs are subtle: changes in jumping, grooming, sleep patterns, litter box habits, and personality.
This guide covers the nine most common signs of cat arthritis owners often miss, and what to do if you suspect your cat is in discomfort.
Why cat arthritis is so often missed
Three reasons:
- Cats hide pain. It is an evolutionary holdover from being both predator and prey; visible weakness attracts attention from larger predators. Most cats with significant joint issues will still try to behave "normally" in front of their owners.
- Cats rarely limp visibly. Unlike dogs, where a limp is the classic sign of joint discomfort, cats with arthritis usually distribute the load across multiple joints rather than favoring one limb.
- Owners attribute changes to "just getting older." Slowing down, sleeping more, and being less playful all get chalked up to age, when they are often signs of underlying joint discomfort.
The signs are subtle, but they are there if you know what to look for.
1. Reduced jumping (or no longer jumping at all)
If your cat used to leap onto the kitchen counter, the back of the couch, or the bed without a thought, and now they hesitate, take a running start, or stop jumping entirely, this is one of the most common early signs of arthritis.
Watch for: - Jumps that used to be effortless now look hesitant or labored - Cat breaks a single leap into multiple smaller hops (couch first, then chair, then counter) - No longer accessing favorite high spots (top of cat tree, bookshelves, window perches) - Lands less gracefully than before (a thud rather than a soft landing)
2. Hesitation on stairs (going down is the bigger signal)
Going downstairs requires more joint flexion and is often more uncomfortable than going up. Watch for:
- Slower speed on stairs in either direction
- Hesitation at the top of stairs
- Sitting at the top of stairs and yowling for help
- One-step-at-a-time pattern instead of bounding
- Avoiding stairs entirely if there's an alternative
3. Changes in grooming patterns
This is one of the most overlooked signs. Cats with stiff joints, particularly in the spine, hips, and shoulders, often can't reach their usual grooming spots.
Signs: - Coat looks unkempt, greasy, or tangled in specific areas (lower back, base of tail, hindquarters, inside thighs) - Mats forming where there were none before - Excessive grooming of one specific area (sometimes a sign of localized joint discomfort) - Less self-grooming overall (a cat used to be very neat is now disheveled)
A senior cat with a suddenly scruffy hindquarter is often a cat who can't comfortably reach back there.
4. Changes in litter box habits
Stiff joints make stepping into a litter box harder. Watch for:
- Going outside the litter box (especially next to it)
- Standing in the box but going over the side
- Avoiding the litter box entirely if it has high sides
- Going only in one specific box (the one with the lowest entry)
- Constipation (uncomfortable to assume position)
Owners often think this is a "behavior problem" or "spite," when it's really a mobility problem. Switching to a litter box with a low entry (or cutting one side down on a high-sided box) can resolve a lot of these issues.
5. Reluctance to be picked up or handled
A cat with painful joints may resist being lifted, especially if pressure goes on a sore area. Watch for:
- Becoming more vocal when picked up
- Tensing or stiffening when handled
- Avoiding being held when they used to enjoy it
- Specific areas they don't want touched (lower back, hips, hindquarters)
- Becoming irritable about being brushed in certain spots
Some cats also become more snappy or grouchy in general; chronic discomfort can change personality.
6. Sleep pattern changes
Both directions matter here:
- Sleeping more: Some arthritic cats sleep more because moving around hurts.
- Restless sleep: Other cats appear to sleep more, but watch carefully and you'll see them shift positions frequently or struggle to find a comfortable spot.
- Sleeping in different places: Cats with joint discomfort often abandon high or hard-to-reach favorite spots in favor of low, soft, accessible places. The cat who used to sleep on top of the bookshelf now sleeps on the floor.
7. Reduced playfulness
This is often dismissed as "just getting older," but reduced play is one of the most common signs of any chronic discomfort in cats.
- Less interest in chase toys, feathers, lasers
- Shorter play sessions
- Walking through play motions rather than fully engaging
- Playing only when lying down or in low-impact ways
A senior cat who has lost interest in their favorite game is telling you something.
8. Personality and mood changes
Chronic discomfort wears on cats just like it does on humans. Watch for:
- Becoming more withdrawn, hiding more
- Becoming more irritable with people or other pets
- Less affection-seeking behavior
- More vocal in general (some cats become more talkative when uncomfortable)
- Less tolerance for usual interruptions
Owners often describe this as "personality change" without connecting it to a physical cause.
9. Changes in posture and gait
Even if your cat isn't visibly limping, watch for:
- Stiffness when first getting up (the "warm-out" pattern, just like in dogs)
- Hunched back posture when standing or walking
- Stiffer gait, especially first thing in the morning
- Reluctance to stretch fully
- Uneven weight distribution when standing (may shift to lean off a sore hip or shoulder)
Once you start watching for these, you may notice patterns you've been overlooking for a while.
How is cat arthritis diagnosed?
Your vet will typically:
- Take a full history of what you've noticed at home. Bring videos of any concerning behavior.
- Do a physical exam including gait observation, joint palpation, and range of motion testing. Cats often hide discomfort even at the vet, so the exam may not reveal as much as the home history.
- Sometimes take x-rays to confirm joint changes. Note: many cats with arthritis don't have severe x-ray findings, and many cats with significant x-ray findings act normal at home. X-rays alone don't diagnose; they support the picture.
- Bloodwork to assess overall health, especially if medications are being considered.
A useful approach is the "Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index" (FMPI), an owner questionnaire developed for assessing chronic pain in cats. Your vet may use this or a similar tool.
How to help a cat with arthritis
1. Optimize the home environment
- Low-entry litter boxes
- Soft, supportive bedding placed at floor level so the cat doesn't have to jump
- Step stools or pet stairs to reach favorite spots
- Non-slip surfaces near food bowls and litter
- Warm sleeping spots (cold floors are hard on stiff joints)
- Multiple food, water, and litter stations on the floor level your cat spends the most time on
2. Weight management
Excess weight is hard on cat joints. Talk to your vet about a weight management plan if your cat is overweight. Slow weight loss is safer in cats than in dogs (rapid weight loss in cats can cause hepatic lipidosis).
3. Vet-prescribed medications
Cats have fewer NSAID options than dogs because they metabolize many drugs differently. Common options: - Solensia (frunevetmab): A monthly injection that targets nerve growth factor; specifically approved for cat arthritis. The newest and often-preferred option. - Meloxicam: Used at low doses with vet supervision in some cats. Use varies by region and vet judgment. - Gabapentin: Often used for chronic discomfort in cats.
4. Joint and mobility supplements
Many of the same compounds studied in dogs are also studied in cats: PEA, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, green-lipped mussel. Always use a cat-formulated supplement at appropriate doses; don't extrapolate dog products to cats. PCQ Pet, for example, is dosed for cats at 1/4 teaspoon (1 scoop) daily.
5. Physical therapy
Veterinary rehabilitation practices increasingly work with cats. Acupuncture, cold laser, and gentle assisted exercise can all be options.
Where does PCQ Pet fit in?
PCQ Pet is the supplement we make at Vital Pet Sciences. It contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), curcuminoids, and quercetin in a patented 5:2:1 ratio (US Patent 11,523,998). It is formulated for both cats and dogs. The cat dose is 1/4 teaspoon (1 scoop) daily mixed into food.
PCQ Pet is not a replacement for prescribed medications. Some owners use a supplement like PCQ Pet alongside their vet's plan to support overall wellness; that decision should always involve your veterinarian, especially because cats metabolize many compounds differently than dogs.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your veterinarian before use, especially if your pet is pregnant, nursing, or on medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of arthritis in cats?
The most common signs include reduced jumping, hesitation on stairs, changes in grooming patterns (unkempt areas they can't reach), litter box accidents, reluctance to be handled, sleep pattern changes, reduced playfulness, personality changes, and stiffness when getting up. Cats rarely limp visibly the way dogs do.
How do I know if my older cat has arthritis?
If you've noticed any combination of: less jumping, more hiding, scruffy hindquarter coat, stairs hesitation, going outside the litter box, sleeping in new low places, becoming more irritable, or any "personality change" in a senior cat, talk to your vet about whether arthritis could be a factor. Studies suggest most cats over 12 have some degree of joint changes.
Can cats hide arthritis pain?
Yes, very effectively. Cats are masters at masking discomfort. This is why arthritis in cats is so often missed by owners and even by vets if the owner doesn't bring up subtle behavior changes. Bring videos to vet appointments if you can.
What can I give my cat for arthritis pain?
This is a vet conversation. Options include Solensia (monthly injection specifically approved for cat arthritis), low-dose meloxicam (with vet supervision and bloodwork), gabapentin, joint supplements (PEA, omega-3, glucosamine, green-lipped mussel formulated for cats), and home environment changes. Never give your cat human pain medications; many are highly toxic to cats, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can be fatal.
Is acetaminophen (Tylenol) safe for cats?
No. Acetaminophen is one of the most dangerous human medications for cats. Even small doses can cause severe and often fatal toxicity. Never give your cat acetaminophen.
How long do cats live with arthritis?
Arthritis itself is not fatal. With appropriate management, cats can live many years comfortably with arthritis. The condition is chronic and progressive, but a comprehensive plan (vet input, environment changes, medications when appropriate, supplements with vet input) can keep most cats comfortable.
Can cats take dog joint supplements?
Sometimes, but not always. Cats metabolize some compounds differently than dogs, and some ingredients in dog supplements (high doses of certain herbs, certain flavorings, xylitol) can be harmful to cats. Always use a cat-formulated supplement, or a supplement explicitly labeled for both cats and dogs at the appropriate cat dose.
What is Solensia?
Solensia (frunevetmab) is a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody that targets nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in chronic discomfort signaling. It is the first and currently only FDA-approved treatment specifically for the management of pain associated with osteoarthritis in cats. Discuss with your vet whether it's appropriate for your cat.
Cat arthritis is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in senior cats, mostly because cats are extraordinarily good at hiding discomfort. If you've noticed any of the nine signs in this guide, bring it up at your cat's next vet visit. With the right plan, including environment changes, vet-prescribed medications when appropriate, and supportive supplements, most cats can be kept comfortable and engaged for years. If you're looking for a researched joint and mobility supplement formulated for both cats and dogs, take a look at PCQ Pet.
References
- Hardie EM et al. (2002). Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats: 100 cases (1994-1997). JAVMA, 220(5):628-632.
- Slingerland LI et al. (2011). Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats. Vet J, 187(3):304-309.
- Benito J et al. (2013). Reliability and discriminatory testing of a client-based metrology instrument, feline musculoskeletal pain index (FMPI), for the evaluation of degenerative joint disease-associated pain in cats. Vet J, 196(3):368-373.
- Gruen ME et al. (2021). Frunevetmab, a felinized anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis in cats. J Vet Intern Med, 35(6):2752-2762.