Catching the early signs of arthritis in cats

Arthritis often starts earlier than many owners realise, with three in five cats over the age of six already showing signs on X-ray.¹ Find out how to spot the clues early so you can take action to keep your cat comfortable and loving life for longer.

In this article:

• Spotting the early signs
• Think back to your cat at two to three years old
• Checklist: how did your cat behave when they were two to three years old?
• Checklist: how does your cat behave now?
• What changes in behaviour should you watch for?
• Changes in jumping behaviour
• Checklist: jumping behaviour to look for
• Changes in activity levels
• Checklist: activity level changes to look for
• Changes in social interactions
• Checklist: social interaction changes to look for
• Changes in grooming
• Checklist: grooming changes to look for
• Catching the early signs of arthritis in cats: the key takeaways

Arthritis is a long-term condition that can develop when the smooth cartilage protecting a cat’s joints wears away. With less cushioning, the joint bones can rub against each other. This can lead to inflammation, stiffness and increasing discomfort.

All this happens inside the cat’s body, so the disease itself is impossible to see, and cats are notorious for not drawing attention to themselves when in pain. The earliest clues of the condition can be seen in the small changes that owners might notice at home.

Shifts in movement, grooming or everyday habits can be early warning signs that something isn’t quite right. These clues are often subtle, but recognising them early gives your vet the best chance to manage pain, reduce inflammation and keep your cat moving comfortably. While arthritis can’t be cured, timely support can make a real difference to your cat’s mobility, confidence and quality of life.
 

Spotting the early signs

Many owners miss the very first signs of arthritis – not because they’re inattentive, but because cats adjust what they do and how they move to compensate for problems.

However, most cats’ behaviour shifts in predictable patterns when something hurts. You may start to notice them taking a little longer to get going after resting, or climbing in stages where they once leapt straight up.

Trust your sense of what’s normal for your cat. A shift in behaviour, posture or routine that doesn’t have a clear explanation could be linked to joint discomfort. And because arthritis can begin earlier than many owners expect, even younger or middle-aged cats deserve attention if something feels off.
Remember, any pattern or change that persists is worth reporting to your vet. Early diagnosis can help slow progression, ease pain and keep your cat active and comfortable for years to come.

One of the simplest ways to spot early arthritis is to compare your cat today with how they moved and behaved when they were younger. 

If you can, think back to what your cat was like in early adulthood. That’s the most reliable baseline to compare against, because behaviour changes dramatically while they’re kittens or adolescents. Using that younger adult version of your cat as a benchmark can make the subtle shifts of early arthritis much easier to spot.

Below are two quick checklists: one for how your cat used to be and one for what you’re seeing today. The contrast can highlight changes you might not have noticed before.

Checklist: how did your cat behave when they were two to three years old?

• Jumped onto furniture or windowsills without hesitation
• Landed confidently and lightly
• Groomed all over with no missed spots
• Used stairs, cat flaps or litter trays easily
• Played regularly and chased toys with enthusiasm
• Explored favourite places without stopping to think
• Settled into comfortable positions without effort

Checklist: how does your cat behave now?

• Hesitates, pauses or chooses lower surfaces instead of jumping
• Moves stiffly or takes a moment to ‘warm up’ after resting
• Leaves patches of fur ungroomed or matted
• Seems unsure on stairs or avoids certain routes
• Plays less often, or stops sooner than before
• Is more cautious about exploring or climbing
• Struggles to get comfortable or shifts position more often

Even small differences in mobility, grooming or behaviour can hint at early joint discomfort. If something doesn’t match the cat you remember, it’s worth taking note.

Taking short video clips of your cat walking, climbing or playing can be really helpful for spotting changes over time. If you haven’t filmed them before, start now. A few quick clips once or twice a year are enough to show their movements. And if you ever have concerns, these videos are valuable for your vet and give them a clearer view of the changes you’ve spotted.

What changes in behaviour should you watch for?

Changes in routine, confidence or social habits can be important early clues that your cat may be struggling with early-stage arthritis.

You might notice them being less playful, choosing quieter resting spots or reacting differently to touch or handling. These patterns can be subtle on their own, but together they help build a picture of how comfortably your cat is moving.

The most common behavioural changes tend to fall into four clear areas: how your cat jumps, how active they are, how they interact with you and how they care for themselves.

 

Changes in jumping behaviour

Jumping is one of the first places arthritis reveals itself. It asks more from a cat’s joints than walking or stretching, so discomfort often shows up as hesitation or a loss of confidence.

You may see your cat pause before leaping, choose a lower surface or abandon the jump entirely. Some cats still get up but then struggle to climb back down, reaching out a paw to shorten the distance.

Over time, they might stop visiting favourite high spots and stick to ground-level areas that feel safer.

Checklist: jumping behaviour to look for

• Jumping less often or avoiding certain perches altogether
• Hesitating, pacing or thinking twice before a jump
• Using the front legs to climb rather than springing from the back legs
• Reaching a paw down first or sliding off surfaces instead of jumping down
• Missing a jump or slipping where they used to be sure-footed
• Choosing lower resting places than they once preferred

Changes in activity levels

Slowing down can be easily blamed on ageing, but joint discomfort can sap a cat’s enthusiasm for moving. They may rest more, or they may still do everything they used to, just in shorter bursts or with less interest.

You might notice them abandoning play earlier, roaming outdoors less often or sleeping in the same spot for most of the day. These changes are subtle, but they can be early indicators that moving around isn’t as comfortable as it once was.

Checklist: activity levels changes to look for

• Spending more time sleeping or staying in one place
• Losing interest in toys, play sessions or favourite games
• Cutting outdoor adventures short or staying indoors altogether
• Slower starts in the morning or after naps
• Choosing calm, low-effort activities instead of high-energy, active ones
• Seeming low in energy without another clear cause
   

Changes in social interactions

Pain can cause a once sociable cat to keep their distance, while a usually independent one might seek more reassurance. These shifts often reflect discomfort rather than personality changes.

You may notice your cat avoiding touch in certain areas, reacting differently when picked up or retreating to quieter parts of the house. Others become more vocal when moving or being handled, while some fall silent. Irritability, sudden grumpiness or a shorter fuse with other pets can also appear when joints are sore.

Checklist: social interaction changes to look for

• Seeking less attention or choosing solitude more often
• Becoming clingier or more dependent than usual
• Reacting to touch by flinching, tensing or moving away
• Growling, hissing or showing irritation during routine handling
• Vocal changes when jumping, walking or being picked up
• Becoming less tolerant of other household pets
• Avoiding laps, cuddles or favourite resting spots with people
   

Changes in grooming

When joints are sore, twisting or stretching to groom certain areas becomes difficult. You might notice dull or matted fur along your cat’s back, hips or tail base where they’re struggling to reach comfortably.

Some cats lick sore joints repeatedly as a way to cope, which can lead to spots of bare skin, thin patches or discoloured fur.

Reduced movement also affects claw care. If a cat scratches or moves less, their nails may grow longer or start to catch on bedding and carpets.

Checklist: grooming changes to look for

• Matted, greasy or untidy fur in areas they used to groom easily
• Bald spots or stained fur from overgrooming painful joints
• Avoiding grooming certain areas altogether
• Struggling to bend, twist or stretch into usual grooming positions
• Longer claws or nails catch because they’re scratching less
• A general ‘less-well-kept’ appearance without another clear cause

Catching the early signs of arthritis in cats: the key takeaways

• Arthritis often begins earlier than many owners expect, so small shifts in movement or behaviour matter
• Comparing your cat today with how they behaved when they were younger can reveal changes you might otherwise miss
• Hesitating with jumps, slowing down or becoming less playful can all be early signs of joint discomfort
• Changes in social behaviour (seeking space, reacting to touch or vocalising more) can also signal pain
• Grooming issues, like matted fur or overgrooming sore spots, are important early clues
• Taking short video clips can help you track changes over time and give your vet a clearer picture if you ever have concerns