Cat Arthritis and Chronic Pain Management

Feline osteoarthritis is vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated, causing widespread preventable suffering in aging cats.

Key Facts

Studies using radiography and gait analysis show osteoarthritis in over 90% of cats over 12 years of age
Cats are stoic and rarely vocalize pain — owners frequently misinterpret reduced activity as normal aging
Behavioral signs of feline arthritis include reduced jumping height, reluctance to use stairs, and changes in grooming
Meloxicam is commonly used in cats but long-term NSAID use requires renal monitoring in a species prone to kidney disease
Frunevetmab (Solensia), an anti-nerve growth factor antibody, is the first feline-specific arthritis treatment
Environmental modifications including ramps, low-sided litter boxes, and raised food bowls significantly improve quality of life
Physiotherapy, laser therapy, and acupuncture have evidence of benefit for feline arthritis pain management

Welfare Considerations

Feline arthritis represents one of the largest sources of preventable chronic suffering in companion animals, largely because it is invisible to owners who interpret pain-related behavior changes as aging rather than illness. The stoic nature of cats — an evolutionary adaptation that avoids advertising vulnerability to predators — works against them in domestic settings where behavioral communication of pain is essential for receiving care. Veterinarians now actively screen senior cats for arthritis through history-taking and mobility assessments. The development of feline-specific biologics represents a significant welfare advance, providing effective pain control without the renal risks of long-term NSAIDs.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual senior cat wellness exams that include arthritis screening from age 7+
Observe your cat's mobility patterns — reduced jumping height and stair avoidance warrant veterinary evaluation
Make environmental modifications including ramps, low-sided litter boxes, and accessible elevated resting spots
Ask your veterinarian about Solensia (frunevetmab) for cats with confirmed arthritis
Never give human pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen) to cats — these are toxic