How Do I Know If My Cat Has Arthritis?

Cats hide joint pain well, so the first sign a cat has arthritis is often a quiet change in how they move.

Quick Answer

Arthritis in cats is usually osteoarthritis, a painful joint condition that is very common in older cats but often goes unnoticed.
Signs include jumping less, stiffness after resting, trouble with stairs or the litter tray, a scruffy coat and a grumpier mood, and many cats do not limp at all.
A vet diagnoses it by asking about changes, watching your cat move and feeling its joints, and sometimes by taking X-rays.
Arthritis cannot be cured, but vet-prescribed pain relief, a healthy weight and home changes can keep a cat comfortable.
Never give your cat human painkillers, because some are highly toxic and can be fatal.

How do you know if your cat has arthritis? It can be hard, because cats are masters at hiding discomfort. They tend to do less rather than show that something hurts.

Arthritis is usually osteoarthritis. The smooth joint surfaces become rough and uneven, and the cartilage that cushions the joint wears away. Eventually the bones rub together, which causes pain and inflammation. It is very common in older cats, but it may not be diagnosed, because cats are not taken for walks and may limit their activity.

Fluffy tabby cat stretched out on its back on an orange cushion – resting like this does not rule out that your cat has arthritis

Signs that a cat has arthritis

PDSA suggests thinking back to what your cat was like a few months or years ago. Small changes then start to add up.

Moving less, or differently

International Cat Care lists these main signs:

Being less mobile
Reluctance, hesitation or refusal to jump up or down
Jumping less often
Being slow or struggling on stairs
Stiff legs, especially after sleeping or resting

Some cats limp, but many show no obvious limp. Stiffness often eases with movement, and signs may be worse in cold or damp weather. A cat may also rest in stiff positions rather than curled up and relaxed.

Changes in everyday life

Difficulty using the litter tray, with accidents outside it, is a common sign. Difficulty going through the cat flap is another.

An affected cat may become less active. It may spend less time outdoors, play and hunt less, and sleep or rest more, often in easy-to-reach places. Some cats eat less, become fussier or are reluctant to lower their head to the food or water bowl.

Bengal cat lying on a grey couch beside patterned cushions – more time resting is one sign a cat has arthritis

Grooming, claws and mood

Sore joints can make grooming hard. The coat may look matted, scruffy or scaly, especially on the back, back legs and base of the tail. Some cats instead overgroom over painful joints, which can stain the fur or cause hair loss.

Claws may become overgrown, because the cat uses scratching posts less. They can even curl into the pad and cause more pain.

Many cats also become irritable or grumpy. They may avoid being stroked, spend more time alone or growl when touched. Joints can look swollen and painful too.

Signs in the back legs

Cats Protection lists trouble jumping or climbing, stiffness, a changed posture or walk, and less grooming around the back legs. A cat may also be reluctant to use the litter tray, hide, or vocalise when its back legs are touched.

For general pain signs, see How Can I Tell If My Cat Is in Pain?

Why arthritis is so easy to miss

Cats restrict their activity so they do not have to use sore joints. As a result, they do not tend to show the signs you might expect. Owners often assume a cat is just slowing down with age, but arthritis is a very painful condition.

Watch for quiet changes, because an obvious limp is unlikely. A record of your cat's good days and bad days can show how it is coping. International Cat Care also offers a free downloadable mobility checklist.

Which cats are more likely to get arthritis?

Arthritis becomes very common in senior cats, especially those over 10 to 12 years old. Most often it comes from general wear and tear on the joints over time.

It can also follow an injury, such as a broken bone, a dislocation or a torn ligament, or an infection. Younger cats can develop arthritis too, particularly after an injury or if a joint has not developed properly.

Some breeds may develop it young because of underlying joint problems. International Cat Care names Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, Abyssinians and Burmese.

Extra weight also strains the joints. Our guide Is My Cat Overweight? shows how to check.

What to do at home before the vet visit

Film your cat walking, playing, going up and down stairs, and jumping on and off surfaces. Cats may not show many signs in the clinic.
Note good days and bad days.
Note any litter-tray accidents, grooming changes and new sleeping spots.
If you must pick your cat up, support its whole body and put it down if it growls, struggles or tenses.

Do not delay. Arthritis is painful, and it can be well managed.

Emergency: Contact a Vet Immediately If…

Your cat suddenly starts limping, cannot put weight on a leg, or is in severe pain. This needs an emergency appointment.
Your cat has sudden severe pain (crying, yowling, breathing quickly or with its mouth open), or drags one or both back legs or cannot stand. This may be saddle thrombus (a blood clot), a life-threatening emergency.

Call your vet, or the nearest out-of-hours emergency vet if yours is closed, straight away.

When to Contact Your Vet

If you notice any arthritis signs or are concerned. Even subtle changes can be important.
If your cat seems stiff, is slowing down, or has a mild limp that has not improved within 24 hours.
For older cats, PDSA suggests a check every 6 to 12 months for age-related problems such as arthritis.
If your cat is already on pain relief and the pain seems worse, or the medicine seems to stop working.
If your cat is struggling despite treatment: not eating or drinking properly, unable to use the litter tray, hiding most of the time or losing mobility.

Your vet can help you judge how well your cat is coping.

How vets confirm a cat has arthritis

Your vet will ask about changes at home, watch your cat move and feel its joints. They may suggest X-rays.

X-rays are not always necessary, and arthritis sometimes does not show up on them. If your vet is suspicious, they may try pain relief and see whether your cat improves.

Blood and urine tests are not usually needed to diagnose arthritis. However, your vet may suggest them to rule out other problems or before starting certain medicines. Your vet may also ask you to fill in a mobility questionnaire before and after treatment starts.

Limping and stiffness have other causes too, including cat-bite abscesses, sprains, broken bones and spinal problems. A vet check is therefore important. See Why Is My Cat Limping? for more.

Managing arthritis in general terms

Arthritis gets worse over time and cannot be cured. However, there is plenty your vet can do to make a cat more comfortable.

Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication from the vet is the main treatment. It should only be used under your vet's direct supervision. A newer monthly injection that reduces inflammation in the joints is also available. Cats on anti-inflammatory medicines benefit from drinking well, and your vet may suggest blood or urine tests before and during treatment.

Weight control matters too. Extra weight strains the joints, so a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do. Speak to your vet about a diet.

Joint supplements are not a replacement for pain medication. There is limited scientific evidence that they work, so use them only on vet advice. Surgery is only needed in certain cases, usually after a traumatic injury.

It also helps to keep your cat gently active, because a cat that stops moving completely becomes very stiff. Early treatment gives a cat many comfortable years ahead. Arthritis does not directly shorten a cat's life.

Never give human painkillers

Never give your cat human painkillers or anti-inflammatories. Paracetamol is highly toxic to cats, and ibuprofen can be highly toxic and even fatal. The only medicine you should give is what your vet has prescribed for your cat.

Our guide Can I Give My Cat Human Painkillers? explains the risks in full.

Home changes that can help

Small changes can make daily life easier for a cat with sore joints:

Soft, comfortable beds in quiet, draught-free places that are easy to reach.
Steps or a ramp to favourite high places.
An easy-to-open cat flap.
An indoor litter tray with at least one low side.
Mats or rugs on slippery floors.
Food and water that are easy to reach, with no stairs between your cat and its food, water or litter.
Help with grooming, and claw trimming when necessary.

Advice on the best height for food and water bowls differs between sources. Ask your vet what suits your cat.

How Pet Med Direct Can Help

Your vet decides what treatment your cat needs. If they prescribe medicine, our guides to how pet prescriptions work and repeat pet prescriptions explain how we can help.

We also list a prescription-only osteoarthritis medicine category. These are prescription-only medicines, supplied solely against a valid prescription from a cat's own vet. A listing does not mean your cat needs them.

If your vet recommends a weight plan, you can browse our cat food range, including veterinary diets.

Some pet medicines require a valid veterinary prescription. Pet Med Direct can only supply prescription medicines after the prescription has been checked. Always follow your vet's advice and the directions on the medicine label.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age do cats get arthritis?

It becomes very common in senior cats, especially those over 10 to 12 years old. Younger cats can get it too, particularly after an injury.

Can arthritis in cats be cured?

No. It is an ongoing problem that cannot be cured, but it can often be managed successfully with your vet's help.

Do cats with arthritis always limp?

No. Cats are unlikely to alert you to a problem with an obvious limp. Look for quieter signs, such as jumping less and stiffness after rest.

Can I give my cat ibuprofen or other human painkillers?

No. These can be highly toxic to cats and even fatal. Only give medicine that your vet has prescribed for your cat.

What can I do at home if my cat has arthritis?

Offer soft beds, steps or ramps, a low-sided litter tray and food and water that are easy to reach. Keep your cat gently active, and help with grooming. Your vet can advise on pain relief.

Related Cat Health Guides

Sources and Further Reading

This article was researched from the sources listed above. It is general information for cat owners and is not a substitute for advice from your own vet.

Prefer Pet Med Direct in Google Search

Choose Pet Med Direct as a preferred source on Google to help you find more of our pet health, medicine and prescription information in Google Search.

← Back to Cat Health Hub

Need pet products or prescription medicines? Visit the Pet Med Direct shop.

Shop Pet Med Direct

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice.
If you are concerned about your cat’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian.