Recognising and managing degenerative joint disease in older cats, a condition that profoundly impacts quality of life and is significantly under-treated.
Feline osteoarthritis represents one of the most widespread and underaddressed welfare problems in companion animal medicine. Because cats rarely vocalise pain and do not typically limp, owners interpret reduced activity as normal ageing rather than pain-driven restriction. The result is that cats may spend their final years in persistent discomfort that is both recognisable and treatable. Welfare-aware veterinary practice should include mobility assessment at all senior cat consultations using validated owner questionnaire tools, with treatment initiated early rather than when disease is advanced and harder to manage.