Feline osteoarthritis (OA) is surprisingly common, yet many owners don’t realize their cat is affected, because our feline friends are notorious for hiding vulnerabilities. Our Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics team wants to ensure mobility issues don’t hinder your cat’s natural climbing and hunting instincts, so we explain what cat owners need to know about feline OA.

What is feline osteoarthritis?

OA, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a chronic condition that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and secondary changes in and around the joint. OA can be primary (i.e., without an obvious underlying cause) or secondary to a joint injury or abnormality, but is most commonly a primary condition in cats.

How common is feline osteoarthritis?

The true feline OA prevalence is unknown, but studies suggest that the condition is common and underrecognized. One study found that 82% of cats older than 14 years showed OA signs on X-rays. Another reported that 90% of cats older than 12 years had OA signs on X-rays, despite only 4% of owners recognizing their problem. A third study showed that only one-third of cats with OA signs on X-rays showed clinical disease signs, demonstrating the difficulty of recognizing the condition.

What causes feline osteoarthritis?

In most cases, feline OA is thought to be caused by the wear and tear associated with age. Other contributing factors include:

  • Genetics — Certain breeds have an increased risk for joint problems that lead to OA. Examples include:
    • Maine Coon cats are predisposed to hip dysplasia, which often results in OA.
    • Abyssinian and Devon Rex cats are predisposed to patellar luxation, which can increase their OA risk.
    • Scottish Folds are prone to a condition that causes abnormal cartilage development, which leads to severe arthritis in multiple joints.
  • Obesity — Overweight cats are at increased arthritis risk, and carrying excess weight can exacerbate stress on arthritic joints, worsening an existing condition.
  • Acromegaly — This rare condition in older cats causes the pituitary gland to overexcrete growth hormone, which can result in secondary OA.

How can feline osteoarthritis be recognized?

Cats don’t like revealing vulnerabilities, such as discomfort, so recognizing OA can be difficult. Signs you may notice include:

  • Resting in more accessible areas
  • Avoiding previously favored elevated resting spots
  • Abnormal gait going up and down stairs
  • Hesitance when jumping up or down
  • Increased resting time
  • Disinterest in play
  • Stiffness, especially after resting
  • Eliminating outside the litter box
  • Increased time hiding
  • Unkempt hair coat from inadequate grooming
  • Unusual irritability or grumpiness

How is feline osteoarthritis diagnosed?

When faced with the veterinary hospital’s unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells, many cats refuse normal interaction with their surroundings. Dr. David Dycus appreciates you taking videos of your cat, so he can see how they move in their usual environment. Other diagnostics he may use include palpating and manipulating their joints and performing X-rays or a CT scan to visualize the bony changes.

How is feline osteoarthritis treated?

Feline OA is irreversible, but many treatments can help reduce your cat’s discomfort and improve their mobility. A multi-modal approach typically works best and may involve:

  • Medications — We may prescribe certain medications to address joint pain and inflammation.
  • Monthly injections — Since administering medications to cats can be difficult, we can discuss injecting your cat monthly with a monoclonal antibody treatment to help manage their OA pain in select cases.
  • Weight control — Maintaining your cat at a healthy weight is important to help reduce strain on arthritic joints, and we can help tailor a safe and effective weight loss plan.
  • Physical therapy — Physical therapy and regular, low-impact exercise can help strengthen muscles around joints and improve mobility.
  • Diet — Diets that include essential fatty acids and glycosaminoglycans can help support joint health.
  • Surgery — In some cases, surgery may improve joint function and alleviate pain.

How can I help my arthritic cat?

Steps to ensure your arthritic cat is as comfortable as possible include:

  • Scheduling regular veterinary visits, so we can assess your cat’s treatment response
  • Using soft, comfortable, easily accessible beds
  • Placing steps or ramps near favored high resting places
  • Using low-sided litter boxes
  • Keeping food and water bowls and litter boxes at floor level
  • Grooming your cat regularly
  • Keeping your cat at a lean body weight 

If your cat is showing indications of feline arthritis, contact our Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics team, so Dr. David Dycus can find the best possible treatment plan to address their problem.