Osteoarthritis in the older cat: the pain almost no one spots in time

The cat descends from a solitary predator, for which showing weakness is a disadvantage: it hides pain by instinct. On top of that, its light weight and agility let it compensate for a long time, spreading the effort and limiting the movements that hurt without drawing attention. The result is that feline osteoarthritis, though extremely common, is diagnosed far less than the canine form, and often only when it is already advanced.

There is also a difference in location: while in dogs we think first of hip and knee, in cats the elbow, shoulder, hip and spine are often affected. This changes the signs we see, because a cat with sore elbows does not limp but stops jumping high or lands badly. Knowing that we should not look for lameness but for behaviour changes is the first step to noticing it.

The diagnosis starts at home, because that is where the cat reveals what it avoids. The signs are not dramatic: they are small sacrifices that, put together, sketch a picture. Watching how the cat uses vertical space, how it moves and how it looks after itself says more than any rushed consultation.

Assessing feline osteoarthritis is more clinical than instrumental: what the owner observes at home often counts for more than the images, because x-rays do not always match the level of pain. The path combines your description, the examination and, when needed, targeted tests.

1. 1

   Bring concrete observations, ideally filmed

   A short video of the cat jumping, walking or climbing stairs at home tells the vet far more than a spoken description, because in the clinic the cat is tense and barely moves.

2. 2

   Describe the changes over time

   When it stopped getting onto the cabinet, whether it grooms less, whether it uses the tray worse: the timeline of small changes is precious clinical data.

3. 3

   Let the gentle orthopaedic exam happen

   The vet carefully assesses the joints and spine, looking for tender areas and reduced mobility, adapting the handling to a patient that rarely cooperates.

4. 4

   Run the suggested tests before treatment

   Before starting long-term medication, blood and urine tests are often needed to check the kidneys and liver, because the choice of treatment depends on them.

5. 5

   Judge the response to targeted management

   Sometimes confirmation comes from seeing the improvement after adapting the environment and, on the vet's advice, starting treatment: a cat that jumps again was in pain.

Managing feline osteoarthritis is a team effort between environment, weight and treatment. Much of the relief comes from household changes that cost next to nothing and make the home navigable without pain. Drug treatment, on the other hand, is the vet's exclusive territory, and in cats do-it-yourself is particularly dangerous.

• Create steps and ramps to favourite high spots, so the cat reaches the sill or the sofa without painful jumps.
• Provide a litter tray with a low rim or an open side, easy to use, and make sure it is always reachable without stairs.
• Raise food and water bowls slightly and offer soft, warm, sheltered beds where the joints do not stiffen.
• Ensure grip on slippery floors with rugs and runners along the routes the cat uses most.
• Keep the cat at a healthy weight: every excess gram burdens the aching joints, and weight control is among the most effective interventions.
• Help groom the areas it can no longer reach, with gentle, frequent brushing.

On the medical side, options for cats have broadened and include treatments designed specifically for feline arthritic pain, alongside supplements and supportive care. It is up to the vet to choose and dose them according to the individual cat's kidney and liver status, and to monitor over time that the treatment stays safe and effective.