Arthritis in Cats: How We Diagnose and Treat It

Cats can suffer significantly from arthritis, but it can be much harder to diagnose than dogs. That’s why understanding how we treat and look for signs of arthritis in cats is so important.

Cats are amazing! They can jump, hide, hunt, and snuggle. But they can also hide signs of pain much longer than many dogs or people. This is partially due to a lack in our ability to read signs of pain in cats, as they can be subtle and require attention and experience.

Signs of pain in cats can look like … well, anything. They can move slowly, avoid jumping, urinate or defecate outside of the litterbox, or seek less affection. Because cats are remarkable at hiding, any behavioral change in your cat should be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out a medical cause including pain.

How can you tell if your cat is in pain?

The Feline Grimace Scale was created at the University of Montreal in 2019 and uses the ears, eyes, muzzle, whiskers, and head carriage of the cat to increase the suspicion for the presence of pain and help guide the administration of pain medication.

Sometimes, the best test for pain can be the administration of pain medication and close observation for a response. But when speaking of aging cats, the presence of arthritis can almost be assumed over the age of 10. “One study showed X-ray changes of osteoarthritis are apparent in up to 90% of cats, with only an estimated 50% of these having clinical signs of impairment due to joint pain.” Another paper found that approximately 34% of younger cats can have arthritis and up to 90% of cats 15 years or older!

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis in Cats

Arthritis and osteoarthritis are often discussed in aging dogs, but we need to talk about it just as often in our cats! Arthritis, or inflammation of one or more joints, or more specifically osteoarthritis — the wearing thin of cartilage and changes to the bone of the joint — is a chronic, common, and painful disease.

The mainstay of treatment for pain caused by arthritis is a daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatoy drug (NSAID). Because NSAIDs can cause or worsen kidney disease – this may not be an option for some cats. 

Some other key things to keep in mind when considering the management of feline arthritis or senior cats in the home:

• Weight management: Less weight to carry means a decreased load on the joints. Keeping your pet in good body condition can alleviate pain associated with arthritis. Ask your vet how to do this safely!

• Changes to the home environment: consider switching to a low-entry litter box to prevent your cat from having to step up and over a high edge. If you have a litter robot, consider using a ramp or stairs for entry and exit.

Ramps and stairs can also be used for your cat to gain access to furniture, such as beds or couches.

Non-slip surfaces should be prioritized in areas your cat frequents, especially where surfaces are slippery, change height, or where they land from jumping.

• Stress associated with medication administration: Cats are notoriously difficult to medicate with oral medication. And this difficulty can contribute to a stressful relationship between feline friend and guardian. When possible, long-lasting or transdermal (absorbed through the skin) medications should be considered first. You can also consider injectable medications when appropriate.

• Solensia™: Solensia is a once-monthly, injectable monoclonal antibody therapy for the control of feline osteoarthritis (OA). It targets nerve-growth factor (NGF) associated with OA pain and functions like naturally occurring antibodies in the body. According to Zoetis’ studies, 77% of guardians reported improvement in signs of pain with a monthly injection for a 3-month study.
  
  Many of my feline patients have greatly benefited from Solensia administration.

• Acupuncture: this evidence-based adjunctive therapy can address the pain associated with arthritis. Some cats tolerate this therapy quite well and may even enjoy it.

• New science: New medications continuously pass approval in the USA. Your vet should be attending continuing education to find out what new products and treatments may help your pet!

Do You Suspect Your Cat May Be In Pain?

Feline arthritis is heavily underdiagnosed and undertreated. At Gentle Journey Veterinary Care, our priority is identifying any and all causes of pain or discomfort in your cat and treating them appropriately.

If you are worried your cat is experiencing arthritis, would like to have your cat assessed for arthritis, want to learn more about palliative care, how acupuncture can help, or are interested in trying Solensia for feline arthritis, please reach out at hello@gentlejourneyvetcare.com.