Arthritis in cats is far more common than most owners realize, affecting roughly 61% of cats over age six. Because cats instinctively hide pain, the condition often goes unnoticed for years. Treatment typically combines pain medication, weight management, joint supplements, and home modifications to keep your cat comfortable and mobile as long as possible.
Recognizing Arthritis Pain in Cats
Cats don’t limp the way dogs do. Instead, they quietly stop doing things they used to do. The behavioral signs that pain researchers have identified as reliable indicators of arthritis pain include difficulty jumping (or jumping to lower surfaces than before), a decline in grooming that leaves the coat looking rough or matted, and shifts in general mood or temperament. A cat that used to be social but has become irritable or withdrawn, or one that’s “jumpy” all the time, may be adapting its entire personality around chronic pain.
You might also notice your cat hesitating before going up or down stairs, sleeping more, using the litter box less reliably (especially if it has high sides), or resisting being picked up. These changes often creep in gradually, which is why many owners chalk them up to “just getting old.” Arthritis increases with age, and the shoulders, elbows, hips, and ankle joints are the most commonly affected. Nearly half of arthritic cats have it in more than one joint.
Monthly Injections for Pain Relief
The biggest shift in feline arthritis treatment in recent years is a monthly injection called frunevetmab, sold under the brand name Solensia. It works differently from traditional painkillers. Instead of blocking inflammation broadly, it targets a specific protein called nerve growth factor that plays a central role in sensitizing pain receptors. The drug is a monoclonal antibody, essentially a lab-made protein designed to intercept that pain signal before it reaches the nervous system.
In clinical trials, about 76% of cats treated with frunevetmab showed meaningful improvement after two monthly injections, compared to roughly 65% of cats receiving a placebo. That placebo number is high because cats in studies often improve simply from the extra attention and handling, which makes the real-world gap more impressive than it first looks. The drug separated from placebo even more clearly when researchers measured larger improvements in mobility: cats on frunevetmab were significantly more likely to achieve a 50% reduction in disability than those on placebo. Your vet administers the injection under the skin once every four weeks, making it a straightforward option for cats that are difficult to pill.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain a cornerstone of arthritis management. Cats metabolize these drugs much more slowly than dogs or humans, so dosing is lower and monitoring is more important. If your vet prescribes a long-term NSAID, expect an initial recheck after the first two to four weeks of treatment. After that, lower-risk cats typically need bloodwork and a urinalysis at least every six months. Higher-risk cats, such as those with existing kidney concerns or older cats, may need rechecks every two to three months. These tests look at kidney function, liver enzymes, and hydration status to catch any problems early.
Never give your cat a human NSAID like ibuprofen or aspirin. These are toxic to cats even in small amounts. Only use medications specifically prescribed by your veterinarian for your cat.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil is one of the best-supported supplements for feline arthritis. The active components, EPA and DHA, reduce inflammation in joint tissue over time. A controlled study of 40 cats with osteoarthritis found that a diet providing about 188 mg of combined EPA and DHA per 100 kilocalories of food, along with green-lipped mussel extract (a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin), led to measurable improvements in mobility.
Translating that into a practical dose, research suggests roughly 120 mg of combined EPA and DHA per kilogram of your cat’s body weight. For an average 4.5 kg (10-pound) cat, that works out to about 540 mg of EPA and DHA daily. Look for fish oil products made specifically for pets, since human fish oil capsules can contain additives or concentrations that aren’t ideal for cats. It typically takes several weeks of consistent supplementation before you’ll notice changes.
Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Collagen Supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most widely sold joint supplements on the market. Evidence for their effectiveness in cats specifically is limited, though they’re generally considered safe. They’re thought to support cartilage maintenance and provide building blocks for joint repair, but results vary widely between individual animals.
A newer option gaining attention is undenatured type II collagen (UC-II). This supplement works through a different mechanism than glucosamine. Rather than providing raw materials for cartilage, it appears to retrain the immune system to reduce its attack on joint tissue. Dog studies have shown that UC-II at small daily doses produced significant improvements in weight-bearing and comfort, and in one trial it performed comparably to a prescription anti-inflammatory over 30 days. Both groups saw roughly a 32% improvement in mobility scores. While direct cat studies are still limited, the immunological mechanism is similar across species, and some veterinarians now recommend it as part of a multimodal plan.
Weight Management
Excess weight is one of the most damaging factors for arthritic joints, and it’s also one of the most controllable. Every extra pound your cat carries amplifies the force on already-damaged cartilage. If your cat is overweight, a gradual weight loss plan supervised by your vet can produce noticeable improvements in mobility, sometimes rivaling the effects of medication. Cats should lose weight slowly, no more than 1-2% of body weight per week, because rapid weight loss can trigger a dangerous liver condition called hepatic lipidosis. Your vet can help you calculate a safe calorie target and transition to an appropriate diet.
Making Your Home Easier to Navigate
Environmental changes cost little but can dramatically improve your cat’s daily comfort. Place ramps or pet stairs near beds, couches, and favorite window perches so your cat doesn’t have to jump. Switch to a litter box with low sides, or cut a U-shaped entrance into one side of the existing box. Move food, water, and sleeping areas to the same floor your cat spends most of its time on, so it doesn’t have to use stairs repeatedly.
Heated beds or pads designed for pets can soothe stiff joints, especially in colder months. Raising food and water bowls slightly off the ground reduces the need to crouch, which can be painful for cats with arthritis in the shoulders or elbows. These adjustments won’t reverse the disease, but they remove daily obstacles that cause pain and help your cat stay active longer.
Laser Therapy and Other Options
Cold laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation) is offered at many veterinary clinics for arthritis pain. The idea is that specific wavelengths of light stimulate healing and reduce inflammation in tissue. However, the evidence for cats specifically is thin. A systematic review of laser therapy in veterinary medicine found only a single cat study meeting inclusion criteria, and the results were mixed. Some beneficial effects have been reported across species, but the wide variation in treatment settings (wavelength, dose, session length) makes it hard to draw firm conclusions. If your vet offers it, it’s generally safe, but it should complement proven treatments rather than replace them.
Acupuncture and physical rehabilitation (gentle range-of-motion exercises, controlled play) are other options some veterinary practices provide. These work best as part of a broader treatment plan that already includes pain management and environmental modifications.
Combining Treatments for the Best Results
Arthritis in cats rarely responds well to a single intervention. The most effective approach combines several strategies: a pain-relieving medication or monthly injection to address discomfort, omega-3 supplementation to reduce underlying inflammation, weight control to lighten the load on joints, and home modifications to reduce the physical demands of daily life. Your vet can tailor the combination based on your cat’s age, severity of disease, kidney health, and temperament. As the disease progresses, the plan will likely need adjusting, with treatments added or doses modified over time to maintain comfort.