Arthritis in cats: the signs and what helps

Reading time 6 min · Level 2: In depth

The short answer: Arthritis is very common in older cats, but it rarely shows up as limping. A cat would rather stop jumping onto the windowsill, groom less or start peeing next to the litter tray. The condition cannot be cured, but the pain can be treated and that is where the difference for the cat lies. What has the best support is pain relief prescribed by your vet, a healthy weight and a home adapted to a stiff body. Omega-3 can be a complement, but not a replacement.

More common than most people think

When researchers reviewed X-rays of a hundred cats older than twelve, 90 per cent had changes in their joints¹. A Dutch study of cats aged six and over found arthritis in at least one joint in 61 per cent and in several joints in 48 per cent². Hips, elbows, shoulders and hocks were most often affected.

Even so, surprisingly few cats are diagnosed. A Swedish vet recently described the number of undetected cases as large, especially in cats³. X-ray findings and pain do not always match either: one cat can have clear changes and cope well, while another is sore from far less. That is why the vet looks at the whole cat and not just the image.

Why cats hide it

The cat is both hunter and prey and an animal that shows weakness is easier to catch. It seldom limps as obviously as a dog does. Instead it adapts, often so gradually that nobody in the family notices when it started. It no longer jumps straight onto the kitchen counter but goes via the chair. It stays lying down when you come home. It looks like old age and that is exactly why it is missed.

Signs to look for

1. Jumps less, or differently. Hesitates before a jump, takes an intermediate step, lands heavily or does not jump at all. This is the sign most owners recognise in hindsight³.

2. Poorer grooming. Twisting towards the back and hind legs hurts. The coat becomes matted or greasy over the lower back and at the base of the tail, while the front end looks well kept. In the Dutch study, reduced grooming was linked to arthritis².

3. Toileting outside the tray. A high edge is hard to step over and a tray upstairs is a long way off. Increased inappropriate toileting was associated with arthritis in the same study².

4. Less play and more sleep. The cat sleeps in lower places than before, moves more slowly towards the food bowl and plays for shorter periods.

5. A change in mood. Some cats become grumpy when lifted or stroked along the back and hips. That is not unfriendliness, it is often pain.

6. Longer claws. A cat that moves less and stops using the scratching post does not wear its claws down and they can start to grow into the paw pads.

What research says about treatment

Pain relief from the vet. This is the foundation. Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective against pain in cats and can be used long term, but the vet first needs to check the kidneys, among other things, as kidney disease is common in older cats. That is the message of the 2024 international guidelines⁴. There is also a monthly injection of antibodies that dampen the pain signal; in a placebo-controlled study of 275 cats, owners rated the treated cats as clearly better⁶. Never give your cat your own painkillers. Medicines that work for people can be life-threatening for cats.

A trial that is also a diagnosis. Because pain is hard to see, vets sometimes try pain relief for a few weeks. If the cat starts jumping again, that is a strong sign that pain was what held it back.

Omega-3 and diet. In a blinded study of 40 cats with painful joint disease, half were fed a diet high in EPA and DHA with green-lipped mussel extract plus glucosamine and chondroitin. After nine weeks those cats moved measurably more, while the control group moved less⁵. The study is promising, but it tested a combination, so it does not tell us which part made the difference. Omega-3 is therefore reasonable to discuss with your vet as a complement, at the doses studied, but not as a replacement for pain relief.

Weight. Every extra 100 grams loads joints that already hurt. For an overweight cat, slow and planned weight loss may be the single most useful step, but it should be set up with your vet. A cat that stops eating altogether can become seriously ill.

When to see the vet

Immediately, the same day, if the cat suddenly cannot bear weight on a leg, drags its hind legs, cries out when touched or stops eating. That is not typical of arthritis and may be something acute, such as an injury or a blood clot. Within a few weeks if you recognise two or more of the signs above in a cat over six or seven. Ask for a pain assessment at the annual health check and bring video clips of how your cat jumps and walks at home.

What you can do yourself

Make the home lower. A stool or ramp up to the sofa and windowsill, a blanket at the favourite spot the cat can no longer reach.

Change the litter tray. A tray with a low entry, ideally one on each floor. It is often the simplest fix for toileting problems in older cats.

Think warmth and grip. Soft, warm resting places and rugs on slippery floors where the cat jumps down.

Short and often. Two short play sessions a day rather than one long one. Movement keeps the joints going, but let the cat set the pace.

Help with the coat. Gently brush the places the cat can no longer reach and trim the claws more often.

Be honest about supplements. We do not currently sell a joint supplement for cats. Our joint supplement is dosed for dogs and we do not recommend it for cats. If you want to try omega-3, choose a product made for cats and agree the dose with your vet.

Frequently asked questions

Can arthritis in cats be cured?

No. The changes in the joint do not reverse. But the pain can be treated and many cats become noticeably livelier with the right pain relief.

How long can a cat live with arthritis?

Arthritis itself rarely shortens life. What matters is whether the pain is treated, so that the cat can move, eat and look after itself.

Can I give my cat painkillers from the pharmacy?

No. Cats break down medicines differently from people and some common painkillers are toxic to cats even in small amounts. All pain relief should come from your vet.

Does glucosamine help cats?

There is not enough research on glucosamine alone in cats to say. In the study that did show an effect, glucosamine was part of a mix with omega-3 and green-lipped mussel⁵.

That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own pet, email us at info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.