---
title: "Arthritis in Cats UK"
description: "Recognising arthritis in UK cats — hiding lameness, reduced jumping and grooming changes. Vet NSAIDs, weight control and home comfort tips."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-arthritis-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/cat-arthritis-uk"
date_published: "2026-06-01"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Arthritis in Cats UK

**Arthritis affects many UK cats over seven**, but signs are easy to miss because cats hide pain. Watch for reduced jumping, stiffness and grooming changes. Vet-prescribed pain relief, weight management and home adaptations keep cats comfortable — **never give human painkillers**.

## Why arthritis is hard to spot in cats

Unlike dogs, cats rarely limp obviously. According to the PDSA and Cats Protection, they adapt by:

- Sleeping more instead of playing
- Using lower routes rather than jumping to windowsills or beds
- Grooming painful joints excessively — or stopping grooming and developing a matted coat
- Becoming irritable when picked up or handled near sore joints
- Toileting outside the litter tray if high-sided boxes are painful to enter

Many owners attribute these changes to "getting old" rather than treatable pain. A vet examination can identify arthritis even when lameness is subtle.

## Signs of arthritis in cats

Watch for gradual changes such as:

- **Reluctance to jump** — prefers staying on the floor or using intermediate steps
- **Stiffness** after sleeping — slow to rise, especially on cold UK mornings
- **Reduced activity** — less interest in play or hunting toys
- **Muscle loss** over hindquarters or shoulders
- **Overgrooming** one area — sometimes causing bald patches
- **Poor coat condition** — unable to reach the back or hind legs comfortably
- **Personality change** — hiding, avoiding touch, or aggression when handled
- **Litter tray problems** — see [Cat litter box problems](/health/cat-litter-box-problems)

Overweight cats are at higher risk and show signs earlier — see [Cat obesity UK](/health/cat-obesity-uk). The pattern is similar to [Arthritis in dogs UK](/health/dog-arthritis-uk), though cats mask discomfort more effectively.

## How vets diagnose arthritis

Your vet will:

- Observe how your cat moves, jumps and rises
- Palpate joints for pain, swelling and reduced range of motion
- Take **X-rays** to confirm joint degeneration
- Run **blood tests** before starting long-term NSAIDs

Other causes of reduced mobility — spinal disease, soft tissue injury, hyperthyroidism — must be ruled out. Senior cats benefit from six-month check-ups as part of [Senior pet care UK](/health/senior-pet-care-uk).

## Treatment and pain management

| Approach | Details |
|----------|---------|
| Vet-prescribed NSAIDs | First-line pain relief; regular monitoring blood tests |
| Weight loss | Often the most impactful change — reduces joint load |
| Joint supplements | Glucosamine or omega-3 — evidence varies; discuss with vet |
| Physiotherapy | Some UK practices offer referral or home exercise guidance |
| Environmental changes | Ramps, low-sided trays, orthopaedic beds |

**Never give ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin or any human painkiller** without explicit veterinary instruction. Paracetamol is particularly dangerous to cats — even a single tablet can be lethal. See [Can I give my cat paracetamol](/health/can-i-give-my-cat-paracetamol) and [Ibuprofen poisoning in pets UK](/health/ibuprofen-poisoning-pets-uk).

## Weight management for arthritic cats

According to Blue Cross guidance, excess weight worsens arthritis pain because every extra gram increases load on already damaged joints. Safe weight loss requires:

- **Veterinary body condition scoring** — target gradual loss over months
- **Weighed portions** — not free-feeding
- **High-protein, controlled-calorie diets** prescribed by your vet
- **Encouraging gentle movement** — play on the floor rather than high jumps

Never crash-diet a cat. Rapid weight loss risks **hepatic lipidosis** (fatty liver), which is life-threatening.

## Home comfort tips

- Provide **orthopaedic or thick bedding** in warm, draft-free spots
- Add **steps or ramps** to favourite sleeping places and sofas
- Use **low-sided litter trays** — shallow entry reduces joint strain
- Keep **food and water bowls** at floor level or on a low stand
- Maintain **short, gentle play sessions** to preserve muscle mass
- Trim nails regularly — overgrown claws alter gait and worsen joint stress
- Consider **non-slip mats** on smooth floors

## When to see your vet

- Any sudden inability to jump or move normally
- Obvious pain when touched
- Vomiting or diarrhoea while on arthritis medication
- Significant decline in mobility over days rather than months
- Toileting outside the tray combined with stiffness — may indicate pain, not behaviour

Regular reviews help adjust pain management as arthritis progresses. Many arthritic cats live comfortably for years with appropriate treatment.

## FAQs

### What are the signs of arthritis in cats?

Reduced jumping, stiffness after rest, reluctance to use stairs, sleeping more, overgrooming painful joints, matted coat from poor grooming, irritability when handled and toileting outside the tray because the litter box is hard to enter.

### How is arthritis diagnosed in cats?

Your vet examines joints for pain and reduced mobility. X-rays confirm degenerative joint changes. Blood tests are usually taken before starting long-term anti-inflammatory medication to check liver and kidney function.

### Can I give my arthritic cat ibuprofen or paracetamol?

Never. Human painkillers are toxic to cats — paracetamol can be fatal in small doses. Only use medication prescribed by your vet.

### Does weight loss help arthritic cats?

Yes. Excess weight significantly increases joint load. Even modest weight loss improves mobility. See your vet for a safe plan — crash dieting risks fatty liver disease.

## Sources

- [PDSA — Arthritis in cats](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub)
- [Blue Cross — Cat health and wellbeing](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)
- [Cats Protection — Caring for older cats](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice)

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Last modified: 2026-06-25