Signs your cat has arthritis Cats can also have arthritis; it’s not just a condition that affects people. While older cats can still experience joint degeneration, it can lower their quality of life, even if it appears that cats are a little more resistant to its effects than dogs.
Some pet owners may be perplexed by the fact that cats rarely scream when they are in pain. It’s crucial to understand how to interpret the behaviour of our feline friends because they frequently exhibit stoicism and may try to conceal their suffering from us. Here, we look at some of the symptoms to look out for that could mean your cat has arthritis.
unwillingness to jump into things anymore
Your cat may be experiencing joint pain if she used to like jumping up on countertops, tables, windowsills, and the back of the couch but you no longer see her in those locations or you notice that she climbs up there more slowly using other, lower items. Many cat owners note that their cat is less likely to leap onto their bed to sleep with them or to clamber up onto their lap from the floor.
Limping or a change in gait
Despite the fact that some cats with arthritis do develop a limp, most do not, and occasionally you can spot a more subtle shift in stride. Your cat’s movements may be slower, stiffer, and less fluid than they once were if she is experiencing joint pain.
Muscle loss on the Thighs
The muscles in a cat’s legs may get smaller as her arthritis worsens because she avoids pain by not using her joints as much. Due to the subtle nature of the shift and the difficulty in spotting it if you are gazing at your cat every day, you might not notice this until the later stages of arthritis.
Trouble Getting out of a Lie-down
After a period of rest, a cat with arthritis may suffer stiffer, sorener joints. She might then struggle to get up from that posture and do it slowly and awkwardly.
decreased enthusiasm for toy play
Cats who experience joint pain may want to play regularly with their wand and throw toys, but they may be discouraged from doing so because of their dread of pain. Although it’s sometimes believed that a cat’s decreased interest in play as it ages is normal, it usually develops for a cause, such as arthritis.
Accidents Occasional Litter Box Accidents
Because it strains their joints to climb in and out of high-sided litter boxes, cats may avoid using them for urination. An older cat who suddenly starts using the litter box outside for urination or defecation may have arthritis.
Anger when Certain Places Are Touched
Arthritis may be to blame if your cat previously had no objections to having her hips, legs, back, or neck stroked but is now hissing or backing away whenever your hand approaches certain areas.
