Your cat used to leap onto the windowsill in one easy movement. Lately, they pause beneath it, look up, and walk away. Or perhaps they still reach the sofa, but now they use a chair as a halfway point.
Changes like these are easy to overlook, especially when a cat is still eating, purring, and moving around the house.
Possible signs of arthritis in cats include jumping less, moving stiffly, avoiding stairs, grooming differently, and having difficulty using the litter box. Cats do not always limp or cry out when their joints hurt. A change in how they carry out familiar activities may be the first clue that something is uncomfortable.
These signs are not proof of arthritis. Other conditions can cause similar changes, so a veterinarian needs to assess your cat.
What is arthritis in cats?
Arthritis is a term often used for joint inflammation and pain. In older cats, owners and veterinarians commonly use it to refer to osteoarthritis, a condition involving changes within a joint that can lead to pain and reduced mobility.
Osteoarthritis can affect more than one joint. Because cats are skilled at adjusting their movements, discomfort may show up as a gradual change in their daily routine rather than an obvious limp.
Arthritis is more common in older cats, but age alone cannot tell you whether a cat has it. Younger cats can also develop joint problems, and not every older cat with reduced activity has arthritis.
8 possible signs of arthritis in cats
You may notice one change or several. What matters most is whether your cat is doing something differently from their usual routine.
1. Jumping less or avoiding favourite high places
A cat who once jumped directly onto the bed may begin using a chair to get there. Another may stop visiting a favourite windowsill altogether.
Watch for changes such as:
- Pausing before a jump.
- Using furniture as intermediate steps.
- Jumping down less often.
- Choosing lower resting places.
- Missing jumps they previously made comfortably.
These changes can suggest that a movement has become difficult or uncomfortable. They can also have other causes, so describe what you see to your veterinarian rather than assuming arthritis is responsible.
2. Moving stiffly after resting
Your cat may take a little longer to get up from their bed or move cautiously during their first few steps.
You might notice that they stretch less, walk differently, or seem reluctant to turn or climb.
Stiffness can be associated with joint discomfort, but it is not specific to arthritis. A veterinary examination can help identify what is affecting your cat’s movement.
3. Avoiding stairs or taking a different route
A cat who used to follow you upstairs may begin staying on one floor. They might pause on the stairs, climb more slowly, or use a different route to reach a favourite room.
Try to notice which movements have changed. Going upstairs, coming downstairs, jumping up, and jumping down place different demands on the body.
If your cat seems uncomfortable, do not repeatedly encourage them to use the stairs just to test their ability.
4. Grooming less or developing an untidy coat
Grooming requires a cat to bend and turn to reach different parts of their body.
If those movements become uncomfortable, they may stop grooming some areas as thoroughly. You might notice tangles, mats, or a coat that looks less tidy than usual, particularly around harder-to-reach areas.
A grooming change does not automatically mean arthritis. Dental problems, illness, weight changes, and other conditions may also affect grooming.
If your cat’s coat or grooming habits change noticeably, discuss it with your veterinarian.
5. Having difficulty getting into the litter box
A cat who finds stepping over a high litter-box edge uncomfortable may hesitate before entering or begin toileting nearby.
They may also struggle to squat comfortably or avoid a box that requires climbing stairs to reach it.
A new litter-box problem needs veterinary attention. Joint pain is one possible explanation, but urinary problems, digestive conditions, and other medical or environmental factors can also affect litter-box use.
Our guide to why senior cats stop using the litter box explains other concerns worth checking.
If your cat is repeatedly straining to urinate but producing little or no urine, seek emergency veterinary care.
6. Playing less or changing how they play
A cat who used to chase a toy across the room may now prefer batting at it while lying down.
They may still show interest in play but avoid running, twisting, or jumping.
Reduced play can have several explanations. Rather than assuming your cat has simply grown out of it, mention a persistent change to your veterinarian—especially if you have also noticed changes in movement or grooming.
7. Becoming less comfortable with handling
Your cat may begin moving away when you touch a particular area, resist being picked up, or react differently during grooming.
Pain can affect how a cat responds to touch, even when they are usually affectionate.
Do not press on your cat’s joints or try to find a painful spot yourself. If handling seems to cause discomfort, stop and arrange a veterinary assessment.
8. Spending more time resting or withdrawing
Some cats become quieter or spend more time in places that are easy to reach. Others may seem irritable when disturbed.
A change in activity or sociability is not specific to arthritis. Illness, stress, and other forms of discomfort can also affect behaviour.
Look at the whole picture: has your cat also changed how they jump, walk, groom, eat, or use the litter box?
Do cats with arthritis always limp?
No. A cat can have joint pain without an obvious limp.
Some cats change how often they jump, how they climb, or where they choose to rest instead of showing a clear problem with one leg.
That is one reason familiar daily activities can be useful observations. You may notice that your cat no longer visits the top of their cat tree before you notice any difference in their walk.
A sudden limp, inability to bear weight, or marked difficulty moving still requires prompt veterinary attention. Do not assume those signs are ordinary arthritis.
How can you tell whether your cat has arthritis?
You cannot confirm arthritis from a checklist or a video alone. A veterinarian must assess your cat and determine what is causing the changes.
Your veterinarian may ask about your cat’s activity, examine their movement and joints, and recommend additional investigations when appropriate. Imaging can sometimes help assess joint changes, but the veterinarian will interpret any findings alongside your cat’s symptoms and examination.
Before the appointment, make a short note of:
- What your cat used to do comfortably.
- What they do differently now.
- When you first noticed the change.
- Whether the change is occasional or consistent.
- Any changes in appetite, weight, grooming, or litter-box habits.
If you can record a short video of your cat moving naturally and without being encouraged to perform a painful activity, it may help your veterinarian understand what happens at home.
What can you do at home while waiting for a vet appointment?
You can make everyday activities easier without trying to treat the underlying cause yourself.
Keep essentials accessible. Place food, water, and a litter box where your cat can reach them without unnecessary climbing or stairs.
Offer a comfortable resting place. Make sure your cat has a quiet, supportive spot at an easy-to-reach height.
Consider stable steps or a ramp. If your cat still wants to use a favourite sofa or bed, a secure, non-slip route may reduce the need for a large jump. Let your cat choose whether to use it.
Check the litter-box entrance. A low-entry box may be easier to access if stepping over a high side has become difficult.
Keep movement gentle. Allow your cat to move at their own pace. Do not force stretching, jumping, or exercise when they seem uncomfortable.
Our guide to creating a senior-friendly home has more ideas for adapting familiar spaces.
These adjustments may improve access and comfort, but they do not replace veterinary assessment or treatment.
Can you give a cat human pain medication?
No. Never give your cat human pain medication unless a veterinarian has specifically instructed you to do so.
Common medicines kept at home can be dangerous or fatal to cats. In particular, paracetamol (acetaminophen) is highly toxic to cats, and medicines such as ibuprofen can also cause serious harm.
Do not give your cat leftover medication prescribed for another pet, either. The correct treatment depends on the individual animal, and cats have particular medication-safety needs.
If you think your cat is in pain, contact your veterinarian for advice about appropriate assessment and treatment. If your cat has already swallowed a human pain medicine, seek urgent veterinary or animal poison-control advice.
When should you contact your veterinarian?
Book an appointment if you notice a persistent change in jumping, walking, grooming, play, litter-box use, or comfort with handling.
Seek prompt veterinary attention if your cat suddenly develops a limp, appears to be in significant pain, cannot move normally, or stops eating.
Seek emergency care if your cat cannot use one or more legs, collapses, has difficulty breathing, or is repeatedly straining to urinate without producing urine.
You do not need to wait until your cat seems severely unwell to ask about a gradual change. Earlier assessment can help identify the cause and guide an appropriate care plan.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of arthritis in cats?
Early changes may be subtle. Some owners notice that their cat jumps less, avoids stairs, moves differently after resting, or stops visiting a favourite high place. These signs can have other causes, so a veterinarian should assess a persistent change.
Can an indoor cat get arthritis?
Yes. Arthritis is not limited to outdoor cats. An indoor cat can develop joint problems, and changes in jumping, grooming, play, or litter-box use may be easier to notice because you see their daily routine.
Is arthritis normal in senior cats?
Osteoarthritis becomes more common with age, but pain and reduced mobility should not be dismissed as an inevitable part of getting older. A veterinarian can assess the cause and discuss ways to support your cat’s comfort.
Can arthritis in cats be cured?
Osteoarthritis is generally managed rather than cured. A veterinarian can discuss an individual care plan that may include pain management, environmental changes, weight management when appropriate, and follow-up assessments.
Should I encourage my arthritic cat to exercise?
Do not force a cat who seems painful or reluctant to move. Ask your veterinarian what level and type of activity is appropriate for your cat. Gentle, self-directed movement may be more comfortable than activities involving repeated jumping.
The takeaway
A cat with arthritis may not look obviously injured. Instead, you might notice that familiar activities—jumping onto the sofa, climbing stairs, grooming, or entering the litter box—have become harder.
A change in your cat’s usual movement or behaviour is worth discussing with your veterinarian. You can help by making everyday essentials easier to reach, but diagnosis and pain treatment should be guided by a veterinary professional.