Cats can hide their pain particularly well - especially chronic pain. When a cat has been feeling sore for many days, weeks, or months, it can be hard to notice the signs and symptoms. Even the most caring and attentive owner can struggle with this.

But it’s certainly worth looking out for them, as you may be surprised to learn just how many cats might be suffering in silence. Could your cat be hiding a painful secret too?

Arthritis and chronic pain

Old age may make us wiser, but it can also bring about some unwanted changes that we could live without! Arthritis is one such age-related change many of us experience as we get older. Cats are no different. Arthritis happens when the wear and tear on joints gets worse over time. It is a painful condition that makes moving around uncomfortable.

If you have an older cat, chances are they have arthritis. They will need your help to manage the condition. Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are treatments available to help your cat feel better.

How arthritis affects your cat’s quality of life

Arthritis causes chronic pain. Cats in chronic pain live with pain signals bombarding their nervous system all the time. The pain can take away a cat’s energy, comfort and sense of well-being³.

Cats in chronic pain find it difficult to enjoy the things they used to do. Playing with their favourite catnip mouse, jumping onto the windowsill to watch the birds, even spending quality time with you – these once-pleasurable activities start to disappear. Feeling sore all the time will rob your cat of the simple joys in life.

Spotting the signs

You know your cat best, and you have the best opportunity to observe their behaviour while they're in their familiar home environment.

Let your vet know if:

Your cat is slowing down.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that they don’t race you to the top of the stairs like they used to? Perhaps they now spend a lot more time sleeping or hiding, instead of playing and exploring?

They have difficulty jumping up or down.

Did your cat once enjoy spending time on top of that high cupboard for example, but lately they rarely seem to be found up there?

It is harder to get them to play.

It hurts your cat to move their joints. They may play with you for a shorter period of time before needing to rest, or they might ignore your attempts to get them to play altogether.

They look a bit scruffy.

The pain of arthritis can make bending around to groom difficult. Their once smooth and glossy coat can start to look a bit untidy.

They don’t like being picked up or touched anymore.

If your cat suddenly hates to be touched – perhaps you’ve noticed them duck away or ripple their skin when you stroke their back for example – it may be that they are in pain.

They are having toileting accidents in the home.

For some cats, the litter tray can be just that bit too far away, or the sides just that bit too high, for them to make it on time.

They seem grumpier and more aloof.

This can be heartbreaking, as the special bond you’ve shared seems broken.


A life with arthritis can be miserable for cats. If left untreated, arthritis will only get worse over time. That’s why it’s important to stay alert for the signs, and to let your vet know as soon as you’ve noticed any changes in your cat’s behaviour or personality.  

Your cat’s life can be transformed by a safe and effective pain management protocol. With you and your vet’s help, the pain of arthritis can be overcome, and your cat will be able to live their best life again.