Is it old age, or is my cat in pain?
- Lisa Tieber Nielson
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
Osteoarthritis is a significant source of chronic pain in cats.
What is Feline Osteoarthritis (OA)?
Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is a painful, progressive condition characterized by the gradual breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. With cartilage loss the bones will rub against each other further damaging the joint causing pain, inflammation, swelling, decreased flexibility and other changes.
It cannot be cured. However, you can slow it down.
It is common in older cats often related to the aging process. At least 1/4 of cats aged up to 20 years have x-ray changes consistent with OA in at least one limb joint. Studies have shown that up to 90% of cats over 12 show joint changes. However, some breeds, such as the Maine Coon, have conditions such as hip dysplasia that can contribute to the development of OA.
It will most commonly affect the hips, stifle (knee), elbows, tarsus (ankles), and lumbar spine.
Anatomy of a Healthy Feline Joint
To understand how the disease progresses, it helps to understand the structure of a healthy synovial joint:
Subchondral Bone: The structural ends of the two bones that create the joint.
Articular Cartilage: A smooth, rubbery layer of connective tissue covering the bone ends. It absorbs shocks and allows bones to glide frictionlessly against each other.
Lacks a direct blood supply. This is why cartilage heals so poorly. Another reason why we want to protect this cartilage from wear and tear (especially repetitive high-impact activities).
Once it is damaged it can no longer protect bone and osteoarthritis progresses.
Anatomy and Physiology Fun Fact: How do the cells (cells are the building blocks of tissues like cartilage, bone, muscle and skin) of cartilage get nutrients and remove wastes if there is a poor blood supply?
Answer: Movement of water! Movement helps fluid (synovial fluid and tissue fluid) flow through the cartilage so that it remains healthy. This allows delivery of nutrients and removal of wastes.
Joint Capsule: A tough, fibrous sac enveloping the entire joint to hold it securely together.
Synovial Membrane (Synovium): The delicate inner lining of the joint capsule. It secretes synovial fluid.
Synovial Fluid: A thick, viscous liquid filling the joint cavity. It keeps the joint healthy by providing lubrication, nutrients and removing wastes.
Why OA is Hard to Spot?
Cats rarely limp, show stiffness or vocalize. They can hide pain exceptionally well. Because cats are master survivalists, they instinctually hide physical illnesses and pain and can maintain their mobility and agility by adapting until it is severe. Instead, it primarily shows as changes in behavior, such as hesitation when jumping, an unkempt hair coat from reduced grooming, urinating outside the litter box, and sleeping more. Changes you may expect as a natural course with aging.
Watch for these signs:
Avoiding stairs or jumping.
Missing the litter box.
Grooming much less.
Hiding and isolating themselves.
Sudden aggression or moodiness.
Decreased energy and playfulness.
Long claws.
Ultimately quality of life of these cats suffers tremendously.
How is OA Diagnosed?
Diagnosis can be tricky. Your veterinarian will use two main methods:
Physical Exam: Checking for muscle loss, joint pain, and joint flexibility.
X-rays: Confirming degenerative changes of the joint.
Note: X-rays have several limitations: They do not always match a cat's actual pain level or limb function nor can they identify early stages of OA. Your observations at home are crucial.
What Can I do to help my Cat?
Home Modifications
Making small adjustments around your home can drastically improve your cat's comfort and daily mobility:
· Scratching Posts: Cats with arthritis still want to stretch and mark their territory, but vertical posts can become painful to use. Try changing the post's size, shape, or material. Flat scratching mats or angled ramps are excellent alternatives that don't force your cat to stand painfully on their hind legs.
· Climbing Options: Cats naturally feel safest up high, but jumping onto furniture becomes difficult with stiff joints. Help your cat safely reach their favorite windowsills, beds, or couches by introducing pet steps, ramps, or strategically rearranging your furniture to create a "staircase" effect. It is best to provide multiple, easy routes to these elevated spots.
· Litter Boxes: High-sided litter boxes force arthritic cats to painfully hop over the edge, which can lead to accidents outside the box. Switch to low-sided litter boxes that are easy to walk into. Placing extra boxes on every floor of your home ensures your cat never has to struggle with stairs just to use the restroom. A fake grass or real grass mat may provide better stability for their legs so they can posture appropriately rather than kitty litter.
· Food and Water Stations: Bending all the way down to the floor can strain a sore neck and spine. Elevating your cat's food and water dishes 2 to 3 inches off the ground allows for a much more comfortable, natural eating posture. If your cat has limited mobility, place several water bowls throughout the house so a drink is always within easy reach.
· Comfortable Bedding Upgrades for Your Cat
Providing the right resting spot can ease chronic joint pressure and keep your arthritic cat cozy:
o Supportive Beds: Standard plush beds can collapse under a cat's weight, offering little joint support. Switching to orthopedic foam beds provides a firm, pressure-relieving surface that makes it much easier for your cat to rest comfortably and stand up without stiffness.
o Cozy Warmth: Cold weather can make arthritic joints feel significantly more stiff and painful. Layering soft fleece blankets in their favorite sleeping spots is a simple, highly effective way to trap their natural body heat.
o Heated Options: For extra relief, veterinary-approved pet warming beds are available to soothe aching joints. Warmth provides many benefits: decreases muscle spasm, increases tissue and joint flexibility, decreases pain. Heat can cause an increase in blood flow to an area providing oxygen and nutrients which can aid with healing.
Precautions/Warnings. Heat should not be used over areas of active infection, acute inflammation, cancer, areas of poor circulation or if you cat has decreased sensation, decreased ability to respond or move away from heat, extreme obesity and pregnancy.
* If you decide to use any electric or plug-in warming bed, it is critical that your cat can easily step off the bed completely on their own. This independence ensures they do not accidentally overheat or suffer thermal burns if the bed becomes too warm.
* Be sure to seek veterinary advice before using a warming bed or pad to ensure it is safe to use with your cat’s specific health situation.
This is just the beginning—stay tuned for part two where we dive even deeper into ways to help cats with osteoarthritis: managing pain, weight loss, diet and other strategies.
Here is a link to a recently published (2025) scientific journal article about feline osteoarthritis.
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