Maybe you've noticed that they've become less adventurous lately.
Are they spending more time resting or sleeping, not quite jumping or playing like they used to, or do they seem a bit more grumpy?
Changes in behaviour could be a sign of arthritis pain.
Arthritis affects up to 40% of cats globally1, but it can be hard to spot the signs as cats are naturally good at hiding pain.
It's not just older cats that are at risk - 61% of cats 6 years and older show signs of arthritis in at least one joint2.
You know your cat better than anyone and can recognize when things have changed. The signs of arthritis pain can be both physical and behavioural and our simple online assessment will help you decide whether your cat might benefit from a vet visit for diagnosis and treatment. All you need to do is answer a few questions and then we’ll send you a checklist that can help you have an informed chat with your vet.
Many cat owners aren't aware that arthritis pain could be a problem in their cat. The signs can be quite subtle at first and may be caused by other factors such as diet or environment. If you haven’t already talked to your vet and had the condition diagnosed, here are the things you should be looking out for:
If your cat has already been diagnosed with arthritis then continue to monitor his comfort level with his current treatment. There are many pain management options that you can explore with your veterinarian.
1. E.M. Hardie, S.C Roe, F.R Martin. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats: 100 cases (1994-1997). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 220 (5) (2002)
2. Slingerland LI et al, Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats, Vet J. 2011 Mar;187(3):304-9