Owners are used to hearing about arthritis in older dogs, since a dog with joint pain usually starts limping in a way that’s easy to notice. Cats are different. Research has found that around two-thirds of senior cats show signs of degenerative joint disease on X-ray, most often at the elbow, knee, and hip, followed by the shoulder and ankle — yet most owners never realise it, because a cat quietly sleeping more at home doesn’t look like a medical problem.

Why joint pain in cats gets missed

Unlike dogs, cats rarely show an obvious limp when a joint hurts. Instead, the clearest signal is usually a change in daily habits. Because of this, keeping a simple mental (or written) note of your cat’s normal routine — how it jumps, walks, and reacts to touch — makes it much easier to notice when something changes. This kind of routine-tracking is useful for spotting most feline health issues, not just joint disease.

Signs of joint pain to watch for

• Litter box habits change: Accidents outside the box aren’t always a urinary issue — some cats avoid the box because climbing in and out is painful.
• Altered gait: A true limp is less common in cats; more often you’ll see a low, crouched walking posture instead.
• Lower activity level: Reluctance to walk or jump, and hesitation before jumping down from heights it used to handle easily — often needing a step or pause partway down.
• Personality changes: A normally affectionate cat may hiss, flinch, or even react defensively when picked up or petted in certain spots.
• Smaller activity range: Cats naturally like to perch up high. A cat with joint pain tends to stay on the ground and avoid climbing unless it has to.
• Unkempt coat: Pain can make grooming uncomfortable, leading to a scruffier coat — or, in some cats, over-grooming of a painful area.

Who’s more at risk

Any senior cat can develop joint changes, but certain breeds with distinct joint or cartilage structures — such as Scottish Folds — and overweight cats warrant extra attention, since excess body weight adds ongoing load to already-vulnerable joints.

What actually helps

Degenerative joint changes aren’t reversible, but a vet exam, weight management, and daily joint support together make a real difference to a cat’s day-to-day comfort and quality of life. Patience and consistent observation from owners matter just as much as any single treatment.