Arthritis (Feline OA)

Feline osteoarthritis is dramatically underdiagnosed. Studies using radiographic evidence suggest it affects at least 90% of cats over 10 years of age — yet veterinary visit records show it is recorded in fewer than 5% of cats at that age. The reason is simple: cats are stoic, and the signs of pain in cats are subtle and easily missed.

Unlike dogs, arthritic cats rarely limp visibly. Instead, they quietly adapt their behaviour — choosing not to jump where they once leapt confidently, spending more time at floor level, grooming the painful joints excessively or neglecting them entirely, sleeping more, and becoming less tolerant of handling. These changes happen so gradually that owners often attribute them to normal ageing.

Feline OA most commonly affects the elbows, hips, stifles (knees), and the intervertebral joints of the spine. Spinal OA (spondylosis) is particularly common in older cats and may present primarily as reluctance to use the litter box (because stepping over the edge becomes painful), reduced grooming of the lower back, or sudden onset of house soiling.

Treatment has expanded significantly in recent years. The monoclonal antibody frunevetmab (Solensia) — licensed in the UK and EU — targets nerve growth factor, a key mediator of OA pain, and provides sustained monthly relief with minimal side effects. Meloxicam (a feline-safe NSAID) is effective but requires regular blood monitoring due to kidney risks. Environmental modifications — ramps, shallow-sided litter trays, raised food bowls, heated beds, and lowered favourite resting spots — are low-cost and high-impact interventions.