Cat Chronic Pain from Arthritis: An Underdiagnosed Epidemic

Feline arthritis is the most common chronic pain condition in cats and is dramatically underdiagnosed and undertreated in clinical practice.

Key Facts

Radiographic studies show degenerative joint changes in over 90% of cats over 12 years old
Despite this prevalence, clinical diagnosis of feline arthritis occurs in fewer than 4% of affected cats
Cats do not limp obviously from arthritis in the same way dogs do — they adapt their movement subtly
Behavioral signs include reduced jumping height, reluctance to use stairs, changes in grooming, and reduced play
Anti-nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) antibody therapy has recently been approved for feline arthritis — a major advance
Environmental modification — ramps, lower litter box sides, raised food bowls — significantly improves arthritic cat comfort

Welfare Considerations

Feline arthritis represents one of the largest unaddressed welfare problems in companion animal medicine. The vast majority of arthritic cats are living in chronic pain that owners and even veterinarians fail to recognize because the signs are subtle. A cat that no longer jumps to its favorite shelf, grooms its lower back less thoroughly, or hesitates before entering the litter box is communicating pain — but these changes are easily interpreted as aging. The approval of monthly anti-NGF injections (frunevetmab/Solensia) for feline arthritis has transformed the treatment landscape, providing effective pain relief with minimal compliance burden. Recognizing and treating this epidemic would dramatically improve quality of life for millions of senior cats globally.

What You Can Do

Have cats over 8 assessed for arthritis at every annual visit using validated mobility questionnaires
Report reduced jumping, changed grooming patterns, or litter box hesitancy to your vet as potential pain signs
Ask your vet about anti-NGF antibody therapy (frunevetmab) for cats with confirmed arthritis
Modify your home environment for arthritic cats with ramps, steps, and accessible feeding and elimination areas