How to Spot Joint Pain in Your Cat

1 Overview

Studies show that nearly 70% of cats over 12 may develop degenerative arthritis. But with a stoic cat that endures pain silently, what can we owners do?

If the cat won’t tell us, we must pay closer attention! As a cat ages, old injuries recur, or obesity sets in, joint cartilage thins and degenerates. Without cartilage protection, bones grind and rub, causing inflammation and swelling — and the long battle with arthritis begins.

Want to catch it before it worsens?

Use these four signs to tell whether your senior cat may have arthritis!

1. Stiff, awkward walking and increasing difficulty jumping

As joint damage worsens, every movement burdens the cat. Jumping is no longer fun, and even cats that liked gentle pats start avoiding them, because weak hind legs make bearing weight hard.

2. Moving as little as possible and sleeping more

As activity drops, sleep increases and time stretching the joints shrinks. Lower activity but higher weight makes wanting to move even harder — a vicious cycle.

3. Sudden difficulty using the litter box

When mobility is poor, even the litter box is hard! A cat that once stepped in easily now can’t lift its leg due to joint pain and ends up going outside the box.

4. Unstable mood, irritability, refusal to be touched

An uncomfortable cat shows it in body and mood — an affectionate cat now wants to be alone and not touched!

When these symptoms appear, observe carefully and take the cat to a vet! Arthritis is diagnosed via X-ray to see bone structure and cartilage/joint abnormalities, or blood and urine tests. Early detection, early treatment!