Arthritis is the most common musculoskeletal condition in cats, yet many cases go undiagnosed. Arthritis often goes unnoticed by owners as cats are good at hiding discomfort and pain. If not spotted and managed, arthritis in cats can be a painful condition that’ll affect their mobility. It also increases the risk that their life will be prematurely ended for welfare reasons.

There’s sadly no cure for arthritis, so how can we slow down the progression of arthritis and what options are available for cat arthritis treatment?

What is Cat Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint (arthro = joint and -itis = inflammation). One or more joints can be affected causing pain and stiffness in arthritic cats. Most cases of arthritis are due to osteoarthritis (bone and joint inflammation). Normally, the bone surfaces in a joint are covered by a thin layer of cartilage which is lubricated with a small amount of joint fluid.

If the cartilage becomes damaged and thin (degenerates), the bone surfaces in the joint then rub together instead of gliding and discomfort, causing further damage to the joint. New bone may form around the joint, causing pain and limiting movement of the joint. Common sites for arthritis include the elbow, shoulders, hips and spine.

Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease – it gets progressively worse as cats age and is often only recognised in cats over 12 years old when the signs become more obvious. But despite typically affecting older pets, younger cats can also develop arthritis due to problems with joint development. Injuries or infections can also lead to arthritis developing in young cats.

What Are Cat Arthritis Symptoms?

Cats often don’t show many obvious signs of arthritis, sometimes hiding their pain, so it’s important to trust your instinct and speak to your vet if you have any worries at all. Cat arthritis symptoms include stiffness, joint pain and inflammation.

Owners may notice that their cat is less active than they used to be, and quieter and more subdued. They can also be more aggressive. They may be lame in one or more limbs, but this can be very subtle. The affected joint may be hot, swollen and painful to touch, but may feel completely normal!

Arthritis in cats' symptoms can include changes in their behaviour. They may not want to play as often as they used to, be stroked or touched and be grumpy. They may struggle to use their litter tray and find using the cat flap difficult. This can mean they go outside less often.

Arthritic cats may sleep or rest more and may also overgroom painful joints. They can also have difficulty grooming hard to reach places like the middle of the back or tail. This means their fur may become stained with some hair loss or hair mats in places. There may be weight loss due to muscle wastage and cats with arthritis may no longer be able to climb to their favourite spot or jump off the sofa.

Recognising the signs of joint pain and booking an appointment with your vet can mean your cat's arthritis is diagnosed at an early stage. This can open up more options for arthritis treatment.

Your vet may suspect arthritis from the symptoms you describe. Examining the joints and taking x-rays will confirm which joint(s) is affected. Your vet may decide that other tests are needed so may take a small amount of joint fluid for analysis and blood samples for testing.

Arthritis in Cats Treatment: What's Available?

Most vets will prescribe multimodal management. This means that several different strategies will be used for your cat’s arthritis treatment. Weight control, medication, physical therapies, supplements, lifestyle adaptations and surgery (though rare in cats) may be the treatment options recommended by your vet:

• Weight control: make sure your cat is a healthy weight, and not overweight or obese. Extra weight and strain will be put on their joints. Losing weight is important for good joint health.
• Arthritis medication: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs provide pain relief and reduce inflammation. Other medications for relieving pain may be given if there’s no improvement in your cat’s symptoms or if your cat has side effects from the treatment.
• Physical therapy: physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy and acupuncture may be beneficial for your cat.
• Supplements: cat arthritis supplements like omega-3 fatty acids can help with joint health but ask your vet before buying as the quality of supplements can vary.
• Lifestyle adaptations: some simple changes to the cat’s environment can be beneficial.
• Surgery: not a common option in cats.

How Can Arthritis in Cats be Managed at Home?

There are many ways to manage your cat’s arthritis and improve their quality of life. Making some changes to your cat’s home environment can make life easier and less painful. These simple modifications can help to reduce slips and falls, improve mobility and make your cat more comfortable:

• Non-slip rugs and non-skid floor surfaces.
• Raised food and water bowls (bending down can be painful for arthritic cats).
• Litter box with lower sides to make climbing in and out easier.
• Orthopaedic bed, heated bed or a heating pad. 
• Steps and ramps to make places easily accessible so that your cat can still get to their favourite places and avoid painful jumps.  

After your cat's physical examination, ask your vet to suggest an exercise routine for your cat – moderate exercise is recommended to keep your cat active. Exercise can help to increase the range of movement of the joint and retain healthy surrounding muscles. Long periods of inactivity are not good so encourage older cats to move about gently throughout the day.

How Long Can a Cat Live with Arthritis?

Factors such as age, severity of the arthritis and the general health and fitness of the cat can affect their lifespan. But with early diagnosis, good management and regular monitoring, most cats with arthritis can live comfortably for many years with the condition.

Arthritis is a slowly progressive disease that’s often overlooked in cats. If you suspect your cat has arthritis, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. There are common treatments available, if the condition is identified at an early stage, the sooner your cat can start treatment.

This will enable your cat to be pain free and active for longer. Your cat will require regular monitoring to make sure your cat is on the best management plan.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.