Cat Healthcare

Caring for your cat's health

Cats may act like they live life on their own terms, but they still need looking after – and understanding your cat's behaviour can help you to give them the best care possible. Our vet-approved content has been created to help you better understand your cat's health and their behaviours, so that you can keep them happy and healthy for years to come.

How to Get Your Cat to the Vet Safely
Cat Vet Visits
How to Get Your Cat to the Vet Safely
Getting your cat into its carrier and safely to the vets is often a stressful experience for both you and your cat. However, regular check-ups are important to make sure they stay fit and healthy, and they may have to visit the vets more frequently due to illness. So, how can you try to make it a more positive experience for all involved?
7 ways to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
Cat Health
7 ways to help your cat maintain a healthy weight
As a loving cat parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your feline friend happy and healthy. Managing your cat’s weight is one of the most important things you can do for their overall health.
What to expect at a cat check-up 
Cat Vet Visits
What to expect at a cat check-up 
Vets often recommend that cats have an annual check-up, and more often if they are elderly or suffer from a long-term health condition.

Arthritis in cats

Are they having trouble sleeping, or not quite jumping or playing like they used to? Perhaps they seem a bit more irritated than usual? Changes in your cat's behaviour could be a sign of arthritis pain, which most commonly affects cats over the age of six, but may start earlier^* .

40%

of cats globally are affected by arthritis^**

61%

of cats 6 years and older show signs of arthritis in at least one joint^***

90%

of cats over 12 years show signs of arthritis on X-rays^****

Cat Arthritis Online Assessment

Has your cat started having difficulty jumping up or down?

Cat Arthritis Online Assessment

Is your cat having trouble going up and down stairs?

Cat Arthritis Online Assessment

Does your cat seem less playful?

Check my cat
Get Set for the Vet: Preparing for Your Cat’s Arthritis Check-Up
Cat Arthritis
Get Set for the Vet: Preparing for Your Cat’s Arthritis Check-Up
Worried that your cat may be suffering from arthritis? You're not alone. This progressive joint condition is common in cats, especially as they age. But before you take your feline friend for a check-up, it's important to be prepared.
How to spot the signs of cat arthritis
Cat Arthritis
How to spot the signs of cat arthritis
No pet parent likes seeing their cat slow down as they age, but what's even more worrying is wondering if they may be in pain. Sadly, age-related conditions like arthritis are common in senior cats, so knowing the signs is vital to help give them the best quality of life possible.

Elderly woman smiling and petting a cat on a couch.

Cat Arthritis

Age or Arthritis? What is Causing Your Cat to Slow Down?

Learn more

They have difficulty walking or running, or appear stiffer than they used to
They are reluctant to play or have difficulty chasing moving objects
They have difficulty jumping up or jumping down, or start to show hesitation when jumping
They no longer enjoy being touched or become aggressive when you try to touch them
The condition of their coat deteriorates and they seem to be taking less care of themselves
They have accidents next to or nearby their litter trays

Check my cat

References

^* Slingerland LI, Hazewinkel HA, Meij BP, et al. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats. Vet J 2011;187(3):304-309.

^** Gruen ME, Myers JAE, Tena JS, et al. Frunevetmab, a felinized anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis in cats. J Vet Intern Med 2021;35:2752-2762.

^*** Slingerland LI, Hazewinkel HA, Meij BP, et al. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and clinical features of osteoarthritis in 100 cats. Vet J 2011;187(3):304-309.

^**** Hardie EM, Roe SC, Martin FR. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats: 100 cases (1994–1997). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2002;220(5):628-32.