[Veterinarian Explains] Feline Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment Guide

Arthritis is a disease involving inflammation of the joints, and among types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is commonly seen in cats. Osteoarthritis is more prevalent in older cats aged 12 and above, but it is often overlooked as simply "slowing down due to age."

This article will explain osteoarthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis in cats, in detail.

What is Feline Arthritis?

Most cases of feline arthritis are osteoarthritis. In the joints between bones, there are cartilage and joint fluid that act as cushions. When excessive stress is placed on the cartilage, which functions as a cushion, it can deform, leading to osteoarthritis.

While osteoarthritis is considered common in older cats aged 12 and above, it is estimated that 90% of cats over one year old have osteoarthritis, and some cats as young as one year old may show symptoms of arthritis.

Causes of arthritis include aging, obesity, excessive exercise, trauma, genetics, and recurrent luxations or subluxations.

As for hereditary osteoarthritis, osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Folds can develop into arthritis. Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia involves abnormalities in the proteins that form the joints and is seen in Scottish Folds with folded ears.

There is a genetic abnormality, and any cat with this gene will develop the condition. If one of the parents has this genetic abnormality, 50% of the kittens born will be affected. Bony growths called osteophytes form in the joints, causing pain and difficulty in movement. Due to the joint abnormality, the cartilage is constantly irritated, making it more prone to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Behavioral Changes in Cats Due to Arthritis

Cats with osteoarthritis tend to move less due to joint pain. It's common to see them stop playing, not climb cat trees, or hesitate to jump. They may also stop scratching their claws due to pain, leading to thick, overgrown claws that can poke into their paw pads. Grooming can become difficult, resulting in poor coat quality. Additionally, it can be painful for them to lower their heads to eat or drink, which may lead to reduced food and water intake. They might also have accidents outside the litter box if they struggle to step over its edge.

Currently, these symptoms are often dismissed by owners as just "being old," leading to delays in veterinary visits.

Key Points to Recognize Signs of Pain

Cats with osteoarthritis do not limp unless the condition is severe. The first noticeable symptoms are often a vague decrease in movement, lack of play, hesitation to jump, or clumsiness when descending from high places. There are also cases where owners visit the vet because their cat is sleeping more, leading to a diagnosis. If your cat can no longer do things they used to do, it might be a symptom of osteoarthritis.

Changes in claws and coat luster are also symptoms of osteoarthritis. Pay attention to subtle changes, such as difficulty clipping claws, a rougher coat, or less grooming.

Causes and Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

Causes of Osteoarthritis

The causes of osteoarthritis can be broadly categorized into genetic, lifestyle-related, and trauma-related.

Genetic causes include osteochondrodysplasia syndrome, commonly seen in Scottish Folds, which leads to arthritis.

Lifestyle-related arthritis, caused by obesity, aging, and excessive exercise, is likely more common.

Trauma-related osteoarthritis occurs due to chronic inflammation resulting from past injuries, dislocations, or subluxations.

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

If osteoarthritis is suspected, a physical examination, palpation, and gait assessment will be performed. Since many cats are reluctant to move much at the vet, we ask owners to record videos of their cat's movements and jumping habits at home beforehand.

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed using X-rays. X-rays reveal joint deformation and bone spurs (osteophytes). Osteoarthritis can affect not only the limb joints but also the spine (spondylosis deformans), where bone spurs are observed between vertebrae.

In cases of hereditary osteochondrodysplasia syndrome, genetic testing may also be performed.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Treatment for osteoarthritis relies on a three-pronged approach: medication, environmental adjustments, and weight control.

Medication

Since osteoarthritis involves pain, pain is managed using anti-inflammatory analgesics. Both injectable and oral medications are available, and some injectable medications can be effective with just one injection per month. While these injectable medications can be expensive, their high efficacy for osteoarthritis means more owners are choosing them. Oral medications primarily consist of traditionally used anti-inflammatory analgesics, but they cannot be used long-term due to the risk of kidney function impairment. Other treatments may include pain-relieving supplements.

Environmental Adjustments

Cats with osteoarthritis have restricted movement due to pain, and forcing them to move can worsen their condition. It is essential to adjust their home environment accordingly.

For the areas where the cat lives, use non-slip mats on the floor. Since it will be difficult for them to navigate steps, installing ramps can be beneficial. If the cat struggles to get into the litter box, switch to one with a lower entrance.

As it becomes painful for them to lower and raise their heads to eat, feed them from a raised stand. Height- and angle-adjustable feeding stations are available commercially.

High places like cat trees become difficult to climb, and there's a risk of injury from falling. It's advisable to remove them in advance.

Since they are less willing to move, their food and water intake may decrease. Place food, water, and litter boxes within easy reach in the cat's living space.

Weight Control

Obese cats place significant stress on their joints, leading to osteoarthritis. If your cat is overweight, a diet is necessary. First, reassess their food intake. If their caloric intake from food exceeds the calories they burn, they will gain weight. It is necessary to slightly reduce their food intake. However, cats can suffer liver damage from fasting, so never let them go without food. A healthy weight loss rate is about a 2% decrease per week to minimize stress on their body.

Cats with osteoarthritis may find it difficult to move due to pain, and exercise could worsen their condition, so avoid trying to encourage play for weight loss.

Preventing Osteoarthritis

Manage Weight from a Young Age

Obesity can cause osteoarthritis. Dieting after excessive weight gain takes a long time, and both owners and cats may give up. Weight gain often occurs after spaying or neutering. Osteoarthritis can appear in cats as early as one year old. After surgery, switch to a spay/neuter-specific diet and adjust their intake to prevent weight gain. If they still gain weight, managing it with a weight-loss prescription diet may be necessary.

Extreme dieting can lead to rebound weight gain and place significant stress on the body. We recommend working with your veterinarian to manage weight loss.

Consider Supplements

Various supplements are available, including those with analgesic effects and antioxidant properties. Veterinary clinics often carry supplements that are effective for arthritis. These can be beneficial not only for cats with joint injuries or osteochondrodysplasia syndrome but also for other cats. Some clinics may also offer supplements that have confirmed anti-aging effects and kidney protection benefits.

Over-the-counter supplements may not be as effective as those prescribed by a veterinarian. If you plan to purchase supplements, it's recommended to consult your veterinarian first. Please note that not all veterinary clinics carry supplements, so it's essential to discuss this thoroughly with your veterinarian before making any purchases.

Regular Health Check-ups are Essential

Osteoarthritis is a common disease in older cats. A cat not moving much might not just be "old"; it could be due to joint pain. Some veterinary hospitals offer health check-up plans tailored for senior cats. For the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, some clinics include X-rays of the limbs and joints, in addition to chest and abdominal X-rays, as part of their comprehensive check-up package.

Older cats aged 7 and above should have health check-ups twice a year to facilitate early detection of diseases.

Summary

It can be difficult for owners to notice feline osteoarthritis unless the symptoms are severe. If your cat has become less active, it might be due to joint pain. Don't dismiss it as just "old age"; have your veterinarian check your cat's joints.