Arthritis is the most common source of chronic pain in senior cats and the most undertreated. Understanding feline arthritis enables owners to recognize signs and pursue effective management.
Feline arthritis is a chronic welfare crisis affecting millions of companion cats globally. The high prevalence combined with low treatment rates means enormous numbers of cats live with daily pain that owners and even veterinarians fail to recognize. The absence of obvious limping misleads owners into thinking their cat is fine when in reality they have adapted their behavior to minimize pain. Environmental modifications — ramps to favorite spots, low-sided litter boxes, heated sleeping areas — address comfort without medical intervention. But for moderate to severe arthritis, analgesic medication is essential welfare provision. Modern treatment options including meloxicam, gabapentin, and frunevetmab provide effective pain management that transforms senior cat quality of life.