Osteoarthritis in senior cats is remarkably common but often goes untreated due to poor recognition, with appropriate support dramatically improving quality of life.
Senior cat arthritis represents perhaps the most widespread hidden welfare problem in companion animal medicine. The combination of high prevalence, owner unawareness, and cats' stoic pain masking means millions of cats live with significant chronic joint pain that is never diagnosed or treated. Cats that have 'slowed down' with age are often experiencing untreatable pain rather than simply aging gracefully. The development of feline-specific anti-nerve growth factor treatments represents a significant welfare advance, providing effective pain control without the gastrointestinal risks of NSAIDs. Environmental modification to reduce the need for jumping - providing ramps, steps, low-sided litter boxes, and elevated feeding stations - improves daily life for arthritic cats regardless of whether pharmaceutical treatment is used.