Arthritis in cats: signs and when to see a vet

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Arthritis is when the joints become inflamed, making movement uncomfortable.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Arthritis is a painful condition of the joints that can make moving around uncomfortable.^[1]^[2] Arthritis is common in older cats, and cats may hide pain so signs can go unnoticed.^[1]

Signs

Reluctance, hesitance or refusal to jump up or down
Jumping up or down less often
Struggling or being slow to go up or down stairs
Stiffness in the legs
Difficulty using the litter tray, including accidents outside the tray
Difficulty going through the cat flap
More time spent resting or sleeping
Less grooming, with a matted or scruffy coat
More irritability when handled or stroked
Limping and stiffness

Causes and risk factors

Genetics
Hip dysplasia
Patellar luxation
Injury or trauma
Obesity
Acromegaly
Normal wear and tear later in life

How a vet finds out

A discussion about your cat’s symptoms and changes noticed at home
A physical examination
Watching your cat move
Feeling the joints
X-rays

How vets treat it

Anti-inflammatories
Steroids
Medication
Surgery
Pain relief
Hospitalisation
Physiotherapy
Diet change

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Overview. Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a painful condition of the joints that makes moving around uncomfortable. It’s very common in cats especially as they get older, but unfortunately they are very good at hiding pain, so symptoms often go unnoticed.”
— PDSA [1]

“Arthritis is a condition many of us are familiar with, where the joints become inflamed and moving around becomes uncomfortable. Arthritis is very common in older cats, but may not be diagnosed, as cats are not walked like dogs, and may limit their activity.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How will a vet diagnose arthritis in my cat?

Your vet will consider your cat’s history and signs at home, examine them, watch them move, feel their joints and may take X-rays.^[1]^[2]

Can arthritis in cats be cured?

There is no cure for arthritis, but a vet may suggest ways to keep your cat comfortable.^[1]

Can medication help a cat with arthritis?

Medication can help control the pain and inflammation, but it should only be used under your vet’s direct supervision because drugs can have side effects.^[2]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for dogs →