Arthritis is extremely common in older cats but dramatically underdiagnosed because cats mask pain and owners attribute mobility changes to normal aging rather than a treatable condition.
Feline arthritis represents a massive hidden welfare burden. The majority of cats over 12 years old have radiographic evidence of joint disease yet most receive no pain treatment because the condition goes unrecognized. Unlike dogs, arthritic cats rarely vocalize or limp. Instead they become quieter, less playful, and more withdrawn — changes easily misattributed to personality or normal aging. Monthly injectable anti-NGF antibody treatments recently approved for cats provide effective pain control without the kidney risks of daily NSAIDs, removing a major barrier to long-term treatment. Recognizing and treating feline arthritis is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions available in companion animal medicine.