Companion Animals

Feline Arthritis: 2025 Welfare Update and Management

Updated 2025 welfare review of degenerative joint disease in cats -- a massively underdiagnosed condition.

Key Facts

Arthritis affects an estimated 40% of cats over 6 years and 80% of cats over 14 years
It is profoundly underdiagnosed -- cats mask pain and do not limp as obviously as dogs
The welfare burden of unrecognised and untreated feline arthritis is enormous
Clinical signs are often subtle: reduced jumping, reluctance to use stairs, less grooming of hard-to-reach areas
2025 evidence confirms that validated pain scales improve detection rates significantly
Solensia (frunevetmab) provides safe effective monthly pain relief via monoclonal antibody mechanism
NSAIDs including meloxicam are also effective with appropriate monitoring in cats with healthy kidneys
Environmental modifications -- ramps, lower-sided litter trays, raised food bowls -- improve daily welfare

Welfare Significance

Feline arthritis is one of the greatest hidden welfare problems in veterinary medicine. The combination of cats naturally masking pain and owners not recognising subtle signs means millions of cats live with chronic untreated pain. The development of effective safe treatments like frunevetmab has transformed the welfare outlook for arthritic cats.

What You Can Do

Use a validated feline pain scale to assess your cat every 6 months from age 7
Ask your vet about frunevetmab (Solensia) if your cat shows signs of reduced mobility
Modify your home to reduce the physical demands on arthritic cats -- ramps, low-sided litter trays
Video your cat at home to share with your vet -- behaviour in the consulting room may not reflect the welfare burden