Your 12-year-old cat doesn't jump onto the kitchen counter anymore.

That's probably normal.

Right?

Your 15-year-old cat sleeps downstairs instead of coming to bed.

She's getting older.

Your senior cat doesn't play very much.

He doesn't groom his back as well.

He hesitates before jumping onto the couch.

And lately, he seems irritated when you pick him up.

It's easy to put all of those changes into one category:

“He's just getting old.”

But I want you to consider another possibility.

What if some of what you're calling aging is actually pain?

Arthritis—more specifically osteoarthritis—is common in cats, particularly as they get older.

And feline arthritis doesn't always look the way owners expect.

Cats may not limp dramatically.

They may not cry.

They may continue eating.

They may still walk around the house.

Instead, they adapt.

They stop doing things that hurt.

And because those changes can happen gradually, families sometimes don't recognize how much their cat's life has changed.

Getting older is normal. Living with untreated pain shouldn't automatically be considered part of getting older.
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Osteoarthritis is a progressive disorder involving joints.

Healthy joints allow bones to move smoothly against one another.

With osteoarthritis, changes occur within the joint over time, including deterioration of cartilage and changes involving the surrounding bone and tissues.

The result can be:

Any joint can potentially be affected.

Common areas include:

And a cat may have arthritis in multiple locations at the same time.

More common than many owners realize.

Studies using radiographs have demonstrated degenerative joint changes in a substantial proportion of adult and senior cats.

But here's an important distinction:

An abnormal X-ray and a painful cat are not exactly the same thing.

Some cats can have radiographic changes without dramatic outward symptoms.

Others may have meaningful pain and mobility changes that aren't perfectly predicted by what an X-ray looks like.

That's why veterinarians don't diagnose the impact of arthritis from an X-ray alone.

We look at:

The imaging.

The examination.

The history.

And especially:

How the cat is functioning at home.
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Because cats compensate.

Imagine that jumping onto your bed begins hurting your hips.

You might stop jumping.

A cat does the same thing.

But they can't tell you:

“My hips hurt when I land.”

So instead, they find another solution.

They use a chair.

They climb.

They stop coming upstairs.

They choose a lower sleeping location.

Eventually, you stop noticing that the behavior changed.

It simply becomes the cat's new normal.

That's how chronic pain can hide in plain sight.
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This is one of the most important differences owners need to understand.

When a dog develops arthritis in one limb, an owner may notice an obvious limp.

Cats can be much subtler.

And when multiple joints hurt, there may not be one obviously abnormal leg to favor.

Instead of limping, the cat may simply:

So don't wait for a limp before considering joint pain.

One of the most useful questions you can ask is:

Where did my cat used to jump that they no longer jump?

Maybe your cat used to jump directly onto:

Now they don't.

Or perhaps they still get there—but use another piece of furniture as an intermediate step.

That adaptation matters.
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Watch the preparation.

A cat with joint pain may:

The cat may still technically be capable of jumping.

But the movement no longer looks effortless.

Hesitation can be a sign of discomfort.
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Landing puts significant forces through the limbs.

Some arthritic cats become reluctant to jump down from elevated surfaces.

You may notice:

Don't only watch how your cat gets up.

Watch how they get down.
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A cat with arthritis may:

This becomes particularly important when essential resources are located on another level.

If your senior cat lives upstairs but the litter box is downstairs, painful joints may create a real accessibility problem.
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Cats need considerable flexibility to groom themselves.

Arthritis can make reaching certain areas uncomfortable.

You may notice:

Sometimes the first sign of arthritis isn't walking at all.

It's the coat.
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This is another subtle clue.

Active cats naturally wear their claws through normal movement and scratching.

Cats with reduced mobility may scratch less or have difficulty maintaining normal claw wear.

Overgrown nails can then make walking even more uncomfortable.

Senior cats deserve regular nail checks.
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Play requires a lot from the musculoskeletal system.

Cats crouch.

Stalk.

Sprint.

Pounce.

Twist.

Jump.

If those movements hurt, play may decrease.

You may see your cat:

Don't automatically assume your senior cat simply “grew out of playing.”

Ask whether play became physically difficult.
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Maybe your cat used to sleep:

On your bed.

On top of the refrigerator.

On the highest cat-tree platform.

On a windowsill.

Now they sleep on the floor or couch.

The new sleeping spot may not be their new favorite.

It may simply be easier to reach.

Pay attention when long-standing resting habits change.
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Arthritis can create several litter-box problems.

A painful cat may struggle to:

You may notice:

Before assuming a senior cat has forgotten their litter-box training, consider whether the box has become physically difficult to use.

Of course, litter-box changes can have many medical causes, so veterinary evaluation remains important.
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Pain changes tolerance.

An arthritic cat may suddenly dislike:

You might see:

That doesn't necessarily mean your cat's personality has changed.

They may be protecting a painful body.
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Sometimes the change looks emotional.

Your cat stops:

Owners can understandably interpret this as:

“My cat doesn't want to be with me anymore.”

But ask another question:

Does getting to me require a movement that hurts?

The relationship may not have changed.

Their mobility may have.
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Stiffness may be more noticeable after sleeping or resting.

Watch your cat when they first stand up.

You may notice:​

These details are useful information for your veterinarian.
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Try replacing the phrase:

“My cat doesn't do that anymore.”

with:

“Why doesn't my cat do that anymore?”

Examples:

“My cat doesn't jump onto the bed anymore.”

Why?

“My cat doesn't groom her back anymore.”

Why?

“My cat doesn't play anymore.”

Why?

“My cat sleeps downstairs now.”

Why?

“My cat hates being picked up now.”

Why?

Aging increases the likelihood of disease.

It shouldn't end the investigation.
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There isn't one perfect arthritis test.

Your veterinarian combines several sources of information.

Your History

Your observations at home are incredibly valuable.

Tell your veterinarian about changes in:

Physical Examination

Your veterinarian may assess:

Imaging

Radiographs can identify degenerative changes in joints and may help evaluate other causes of discomfort.

But remember:

The severity of an X-ray doesn't always perfectly match the severity of pain.

The whole patient matters.
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This is one of the easiest ways owners can help.

Record your cat:

Cats don't always demonstrate mobility problems in the exam room.

A short home video lets your veterinary team see how your cat moves in their normal environment.
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Modern feline arthritis management is often multimodal.

That means we don't rely on one solution.

Depending on the individual cat, the plan may involve:​

The best plan depends on the cat's:​

Veterinary pain management for cats has expanded considerably.

Depending on the patient, veterinarians may consider different medication classes and treatment strategies.

One important development in feline osteoarthritis management has been frunevetmab, a monoclonal antibody therapy designed specifically for osteoarthritis pain in cats.

But no medication is appropriate for every patient.

Your veterinarian will consider the individual cat's health, concurrent diseases, response to therapy, and treatment goals.

The important point is:

We have options.

Don't assume nothing can be done because your cat is old.
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Anti-inflammatory medications may have a role in selected feline patients, but cats require careful medication selection and monitoring.

Age alone doesn't determine whether a medication is appropriate.

Kidney health, hydration, concurrent disease, other medications, and overall risk all matter.

Never give your cat a medication simply because it helped your dog—or because you take it yourself.
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Excess body weight can increase the mechanical load placed on painful joints.

Adipose tissue is also biologically active and can contribute to inflammatory processes.

For an overweight arthritic cat, gradual, veterinarian-guided weight reduction may improve mobility and overall health.

But weight loss in cats should be controlled.

Never crash diet a cat.

Rapid or prolonged inadequate calorie intake can be dangerous.
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Arthritis doesn't necessarily mean complete rest.

Appropriate movement helps support:

The goal isn't to force an arthritic cat through vigorous exercise.

It's to encourage comfortable, regular movement.

That might include:

Let your cat's comfort guide the intensity.

This is one of the easiest ways to improve quality of life.

Add Steps and Ramps

Help your cat reach:

A small ottoman can sometimes make a huge difference.

Use Low-Entry Litter Boxes

Don't make painful hips climb over a tall wall every time your cat needs to eliminate.

Add Non-Slip Surfaces

Hardwood, laminate, and tile can be difficult for cats with weak or painful limbs.

Rugs and runners can improve traction.

Bring Resources Closer

Make sure your cat can easily reach:

If your cat spends most of their time upstairs, don't make them travel downstairs for every basic need.

Provide Comfortable Bedding

Warm, supportive resting areas can help painful cats settle comfortably.

Make Vertical Space Accessible

Cats still benefit from elevation.

Instead of taking vertical territory away, make it easier to reach.

Use:

Adapt the environment to the cat instead of expecting the cat to adapt to pain.
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Joint supplements are heavily marketed.

Some products may have supportive evidence for certain ingredients, while others rely heavily on marketing or extrapolation from other species.

Supplement quality can also vary considerably.

Before starting one, ask your veterinarian:

“Natural” doesn't automatically mean effective or risk-free.

And supplements shouldn't replace effective pain management when a cat is truly hurting.
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Go back to the behaviors that first concerned you.

Does your cat:

Sometimes owners don't realize how uncomfortable their cat was until treatment begins.

Then they say:

“I haven't seen her do that in years.”

That can be incredibly revealing.

The goal isn't simply improving a number on a pain scale.

It's restoring pieces of your cat's normal life.
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Once a month, ask:

JUMP: Is my cat jumping normally?

STAIRS: Are stairs easy?

GROOM: Can they groom their whole body?

PLAY: Are they still interested in play?

LITTER BOX: Can they enter and posture comfortably?

SLEEP: Have favorite sleeping locations changed?

SOCIAL: Are they interacting normally?

TOUCH: Has their tolerance for handling changed?

You can even take occasional videos from the same location.

Small changes become much easier to recognize when you have something to compare them with.
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Please don't try to treat suspected arthritis with medications from your own medicine cabinet.

Human pain relievers can be extremely dangerous to cats.

Acetaminophen can be fatal to cats.

Other medications can cause serious kidney, gastrointestinal, or other complications.

Even medications designed for animals need to be chosen and dosed appropriately.

If you think your cat is hurting, contact your veterinarian.
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“He's Just Old.”

Old age increases the likelihood of arthritis.

It doesn't make pain irrelevant.

Waiting for a Limp

Many arthritic cats never develop the obvious limp owners expect.

Assuming Sleeping More Is Normal Aging

Maybe.

But it may also reflect reduced mobility or discomfort.

Assuming the Cat Doesn't Want Affection Anymore

Getting onto your lap may hurt.

Being picked up may hurt.

The relationship may be unchanged.

Ignoring Litter-Box Problems

The box may be physically difficult to access.

Making Your Cat Stop Climbing Completely

Cats value vertical space.

Make it accessible rather than automatically removing it.

Relying Only on Supplements

A painful cat deserves an evidence-based pain-management discussion.

Giving Human Medication

Never do this without explicit veterinary direction.
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Schedule an examination if you notice:

Don't wait until your cat can barely walk.

Earlier recognition gives us more opportunity to improve comfort.
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Arthritis usually produces chronic, progressive changes rather than sudden catastrophic symptoms.

Seek prompt or emergency veterinary care if your cat develops:

Sudden severe hind-limb pain or paralysis should not be assumed to be arthritis.

Conditions such as arterial thromboembolism can cause acute, life-threatening signs and require immediate veterinary care.
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When we manage feline arthritis, I don't want the entire conversation to revolve around radiographs.

I want to know:

Can your cat get onto the bed?

Can they groom themselves?

Can they comfortably use the litter box?

Are they playing?

Are they interacting with the family?

Can they access the places that make them feel like a cat?

Those questions tell us something incredibly important:

How pain is affecting quality of life.

An X-ray can show us a joint.

Your observations show us the cat living with that joint.

We need both.
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There is one phrase I'd love to hear less often when we're talking about senior pets:

“They're just getting old.”

Yes, your cat is getting older.

Their body will change.

Their abilities may change.

But pain deserves to be recognized regardless of age.

If your cat stops jumping onto the bed, don't simply accept it.

Ask why.

If they stop grooming, ask why.

If they become irritable when picked up, ask why.

If they no longer climb to their favorite window, ask why.

Sometimes the answer really is arthritis.

And when it is, we may be able to help.

One of the most rewarding things I see is an owner coming back after starting a pain-management plan and saying:

“I didn't realize how much she had stopped doing until she started doing it again.”

That's why noticing these subtle changes matters.

We're not trying to make our senior cats young again.

We're trying to make the years they have as comfortable, mobile, and joyful as possible.
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Feline arthritis is common and frequently underrecognized.

Remember:

Most importantly:

Getting older is normal.

Living in untreated pain shouldn't automatically be considered normal aging.


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