Arthritis affects the majority of senior cats, yet it is chronically underdiagnosed and undertreated. Better recognition and management significantly improves quality of life for aging cats.
Feline arthritis represents a significant hidden welfare burden in companion cat populations. Because cats mask pain and because veterinary visits decline in older cats, arthritis is diagnosed late and undertreated. The welfare impact of chronic, untreated joint pain is substantial: decreased mobility, reluctance to engage in play, difficulty accessing food, water, and litter facilities, and reduced human-cat interaction all compound over months and years. Owner education about behavioral pain indicators is the critical first step — owners who recognize the signs seek veterinary attention earlier. Once diagnosed, multimodal management including appropriate analgesia, environmental modification (ramps and steps to elevated resting spots, low-entry litter boxes), physiotherapy, and weight management can dramatically restore quality of life even in severely affected cats.