Osteoarthritis in cats
Also known as Degenerative joint disease, Arthritis.
Wear and tear of the joints, very common in older cats and greatly underdiagnosed because the cat does not limp: it simply stops jumping.
- System
- Bones and joints
- Is it urgent?
- Not usually
- Spreads to other cats
- No
- Spreads to people
- No
- Typical cost in Spain
- Diagnosis, €100–250; treatment, €30–80 a month.
Symptoms
- No longer climbs to high places
- Sleeps more
- Stops grooming its back
- Goes to the toilet outside the litter tray
- Irritable when its hips are touched
Causes
Age, excess weight, old injuries and dysplasias.
How it is diagnosed
Examination, mobility questionnaires and X-rays.
Treatment
Long-term pain relief (including monthly monoclonal antibody injections), weight control and adapting the home with ramps and low litter trays.
No doses, on purpose: any medicine must be prescribed by your vet for your cat.
Prognosis
It is chronic but very treatable: the improvement in quality of life is usually striking.
Prevention
A healthy weight throughout life and daily play.
Breeds at higher risk
It is described more often in these breeds. That does not mean all of their cats will have it, nor that a moggy is free of it.
Frequently asked questions
What causes osteoarthritis?
Age, excess weight, old injuries and dysplasias.
Can osteoarthritis be cured?
It is chronic but very treatable: the improvement in quality of life is usually striking. Long-term pain relief (including monthly monoclonal antibody injections), weight control and adapting the home with ramps and low litter trays.
How much does it cost to treat osteoarthritis?
As a guide for Spain in 2026: Diagnosis, €100–250; treatment, €30–80 a month. Prices vary a lot between clinics and cities, and out-of-hours emergencies cost more.
Which breeds are most at risk?
It is described more often in Maine Coon, Scottish Fold, Persian and Himalayan. That does not mean every cat of those breeds will have it, nor that a moggy is free of it.
More in bones and joints
Educational content from Michipedia. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a vet: if you have any doubt about your cat's health, ask. Costs are a guide for Spain in 2026.