Arthritis in Cats
Arthritis causes pain and relieving that pain becomes a major objective in the treatment of arthritic cats.
However, cats tend to hide the signs of their pain quite effectively, making it difficult to decide whether treatment is necessary.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated type of arthritis in which the normal cartilage that cushions the joint degenerates and is worn away, resulting in inflammation, discomfort, ongoing damage and secondary changes in and around the joint.
OA can be primary (without an obvious underlying cause, where the disease may arise at least in part due to mechanical ‘wear and tear’ in the joints) or secondary to a joint injury or abnormality as described below. The other major form of arthritis seen in humans is rheumatoid arthritis, which is (at least in part) an auto-immune disease.
Some factors may increase the risk of arthritis in cats:
- Genetics – certain breeds have an increased risk due to various underlying joint problems. This would include:
- Hip dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joints) seen especially in Maine Coon cats (but also Persians, Siamese and other breeds)
- Patella luxation (dislocation of the knee cap) which has been reported more commonly in Abyssinian and Devon Rex cats
- Scottish Folds are particularly prone to severe arthritis affecting multiple joints due to an abnormality of cartilage that occurs in the breed
- Injury or trauma – for examples fractures, dislocations and other joint injuries. These may cause abnormal joint conformation which can result in secondary osteoarthritis
- Obesity – there is no evidence that this causes arthritis, but it is likely to make an existing condition worse
- Acromegaly – this is an unusual condition of older cats where a tumour in the pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone. Affected cats usually develop diabetes mellitus, but some also develop secondary arthritis in their joints.