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Cat osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a progressive wear and tear of the cartilage that protects the joints. It is very common in older cats, but it often goes unnoticed: unlike dogs, cats rarely limp noticeably. He compensates, he avoids. He jumps less high,...
What is it?
Osteoarthritis is a progressive wear and tear of the cartilage that protects the joints. It is very common in older cats, but it often goes unnoticed: unlike dogs, cats rarely limp noticeably.
He compensates, he avoids. He jumps less high, he climbs the stairs differently, he sleeps more. These changes are attributed to old age even though it is a chronic pain that we know how to relieve.
The joints most affected are the elbows, hips, knees, shoulders and spine.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
The cat jumps less high, hesitates before getting on the sofa or gives up its usual perches.
He walks down the stairs more slowly, one step at a time.
He sleeps more and plays less.
Their coat becomes dull or matted on their back and hindquarters, because grooming becomes painful.
Conversely, he may lick a specific joint excessively.
Stiffness upon waking, less flexible gait, sometimes discreet limping.
He becomes grumpy, avoids being patted on the back or handled, or even becomes aggressive when that is not his character.
New uncleanliness: entering a box with a high edge or squatting becomes difficult.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
Age-related wear and tear, the most common cause.
Aftermath of trauma: fracture, dislocation, fall or even long-standing accident.
Joint abnormalities from birth or growth, such as hip dysplasia or luxation of the patella, which also exist in cats.
Excess weight, which accelerates wear and tear and maintains inflammation.
Certain breeds have known joint predispositions, notably the Scottish fold, whose cartilage anomaly affects the joints.
Advanced age: osteoarthritis becomes very common in senior cats.
Overweight and obesity.
History of fracture, fall or joint surgery.
Predisposed breed, especially the Scottish fold.
Very sedentary lifestyle, with no opportunity for gentle movement.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian relies a lot on your description of daily life: height of jumps, stairs, grooming, mood, cleanliness. Filming your cat at home is often more meaningful than an examination in consultation, where he freezes.
The examination looks for pain, stiffness, amyotrophy and joint cracking.
X-rays confirm the lesions and rule out other causes.
A blood and urine test is usual before any long-term treatment, particularly to check the kidneys.
Other illnesses in older cats can resemble osteoarthritis: it is up to the veterinarian to sort things out.
Treatment
Support combines several levers; none is enough alone.
Pain control is based on veterinary medications adapted to the cat, chosen according to the condition of the kidneys and reassessed regularly. NEVER give human painkillers to a cat: paracetamol is fatal for them and ibuprofen is toxic.
Weight loss, when necessary, is the most effective and least expensive measure.
Joint supplements and certain specific diets can be offered as accompaniment.
The layout of the accommodation is a huge relief: steps or small stairs to favorite places, litter box with a low edge, raised bowls, soft bedding in a warm and quiet place.
Maintaining a gentle and regular activity preserves the muscles; physiotherapy is possible in certain structures.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
Maintaining a healthy weight throughout your life is the best lever known.
Provide easy access to perches, rather than risky jumps from the ground.
Have any joint injury properly treated, even seemingly benign ones.
Offer regular play to maintain muscles and flexibility.
Have your cat examined once or twice a year from the age of seven: osteoarthritis is noticed much earlier than you might think.
Possible complications
Untreated chronic pain, with withdrawal, aggression and loss of quality of life.
Muscle wasting that worsens joint instability and pain.
Long-term uncleanliness, often misunderstood and a source of conflict in the home.
Decreased grooming, matted coat, overly long claws growing into pads.
Weight gain due to lack of activity, which maintains the vicious circle.
When to see a veterinarian
Your cat no longer jumps where it climbed effortlessly before.
He hesitates on the stairs or avoids certain pieces of furniture.
His hair becomes dull or matted on his back and hindquarters.
He growls, flees or becomes aggressive when touched.
He does his business next to the litter box even though he was clean.
He limps, even intermittently.
He spends his days lying down and doesn't play at all.
Prognosis
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but it can be relieved very well.
With appropriate pain treatment, controlled weight and appropriate housing, most cats regain activity and a comfortable life for years.
The quality of the result depends above all on the regularity of the follow-up and the early onset of treatment.
Frequently asked questions
My cat does not limp: can he still have osteoarthritis?
Yes, and this is even the most frequent case. The cat expresses its pain by reducing its activities: less jumping, less playing, less grooming. These discreet changes are worth more than a limp.
Can I give him an anti-inflammatory from my pharmacy?
No, never. Paracetamol is fatal for cats and ibuprofen and aspirin are toxic. Only veterinary painkillers prescribed for him, with kidney monitoring, are acceptable.
My cat is old, isn't it just age?
Getting old doesn't mean being in pain. What we attribute to age is very often joint pain that can be treated. Many owners rediscover a more lively cat after a few weeks of treatment.
What can I change at home today?
A litter box with a low, easy-to-access edge, a warm and soft bedding, intermediate steps to his favorite places, bowls at a good height, and regular brushing of the areas he no longer reaches.
References
AAFP — American Association of Feline Practitioners
WSAVA — World Small Animal Veterinary Association
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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