Pain relief options for cats with arthritis

Pain management is crucial for keeping cats with arthritis comfortable and allowing them to enjoy life to the full. Discover potential treatment options and learn how to support your cat’s mobility.
 
In this article:
 

• Why pain management is crucial
• Approved medications for feline arthritis
• NSAIDs and other prescription medicines
• Injectable therapies for cat arthritis
• Monitoring side-effects
• Natural and holistic relief methods
• CBD oil and hemp extracts
• Complementary therapies
• Rehabilitation therapy
• Supportive lifestyle and home care
• Diet and nutraceuticals
• Environmental modification
• Pain relief options to avoid
• Human painkillers that are toxic to cats
• Risks of over-the-counter meds

Arthritis is a painful joint condition without a cure that makes everyday movements difficult for cats. If left untreated, it can worsen over time and deprive your cat of enjoyment and quality of life.

The good news is that there are several well-established and widely used pain management options, as well as some exciting new approaches. Vets will often recommend a combination of medicines, therapies and, potentially, supplements to meet your cat’s needs.

With the right approach, many cats can stay active, comfortable and content well into their senior years.

Why pain management is crucial

When in pain, cats move around less. Inactivity, however, leads to weaker muscles, extra strain on the joints and faster cartilage wear. This can create a repeating pattern of stiffness, pain and reduced mobility that can affect everything from appetite and overall health to mood and quality of life.

Managing pain early helps to break that cycle. Effective treatment reduces inflammation and pain, helps keep cats moving and can slow the progression of arthritis. It also helps preserve muscle tone, joint flexibility and overall wellbeing.

Effective pain control allows your cat to enjoy the simple things again: stretching, jumping, grooming and exploring. With the right support, many cats live full and happy lives even after diagnosis.
 

Approved medications for feline arthritis

Medication plays a crucial role in controlling pain and inflammation, and your vet will discuss the recommended treatment(s). In this section, we’ll look at the main types of prescription treatment and what to look out for in terms of side-effects. 

Remember, all these treatments are prescription-only and require veterinary supervision.
 

NSAIDs and other prescription drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a well-established and quick-acting medicine used to manage arthritis in cats. They reduce pain and inflammation in the joints, making a significant difference to a cat’s comfort and mobility. Due to their anti-inflammatory action, NSAIDs help slow down the progression of arthritis. Available in tablet or liquid form, vets carefully tailor the dose to each cat and aim to use the lowest effective amount needed.

Depending on how a cat responds to a treatment and any other conditions they may have, other prescription drugs may be used alongside or instead of NSAIDs. Some options include:

• Opioids – used to block pain for short periods of time 
• Corticosteroids – used to reduce inflammation for short periods of time

In some instances, vets may also use other types of medicines that target nerve pain or enhance the effects of standard treatments. 

Injectable therapies for cat arthritis

Injectable therapies are a relatively new way to manage arthritis pain in cats. They may not help every cat, and can be more expensive than traditional pain relief. However, they offer an innovative approach to managing chronic pain without the need for daily medication.

For example, frunevetmab is a type of treatment that targets the body’s pain signals, helping to lower pain and improve mobility.

In some cases, your vet may also recommend other injectable treatments designed to support joint health and mobility. These therapies act in different ways to protect cartilage, reduce inflammation and help cats stay comfortable for longer.
 

Monitoring side effects

All medicines can have side effects, so your vet will usually run routine blood and urine tests to check your cat’s health during treatment. These tests will monitor how your cat’s organs are functioning and if there are any concerns.

Your vet will also discuss potential side effects so that you can keep an eye on your cat at home. Contact them immediately if you notice any changes, such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss or increased thirst.

Your vet may adjust the dose or switch medications if necessary to keep the treatment suitable for your cat.

What to look out for while your cat’s on medication:

• Eating less or refusing food
• Weight loss or looking thinner around the shoulders and hips
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Drinking or urinating more than usual
• Acting unusually sleepy, restless or ‘not themselves’
• Hiding more, or showing sudden grumpiness
• Unsteady walking or weakness
• Dull or messy coat from reduced grooming

Natural and holistic relief methods

There are natural and holistic options that can work alongside prescription medicine(s) to support your cat. These approaches focus on easing discomfort, improving movement and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. These therapies should always be discussed with your vet before using or combining with other treatments.

Options include: 

• CBD oil and hemp extracts – unregulated complementary products with emerging research
• Acupuncture and laser therapy – gentle, targeted techniques to relieve pain and promote healing
• Rehabilitation therapy – hands-on methods to strengthen muscles and improve joint mobility
   

CBD oil and hemp extracts

Veterinary Evidence¹ noted that there was insufficient evidence to recommend CBD for treating arthritis in cats; however, according to the American Animal Hospital Association, it’s gaining popularity as a treatment in the United States, with positive anecdotal evidence.²
 
So, it’s still early days for CBD and hemp-derived products. Because they’re not currently regulated or licensed in the UK to treat chronic pain in cats, they should only be considered under veterinary supervision and cannot be recommend directly.

If your vet discusses CBD with you, they will consider:

• product quality (third-party lab tested, correct dosing)
• possible interactions with other medications
• starting low and monitoring your cat’s response closely

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies work alongside conventional treatments to help reduce pain and promote healing by stimulating the body’s own repair and pain-relief mechanisms. These include:

• Acupuncture – fine needles are placed at specific points to block pain signals and encourage the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals
• Laser therapy (photobiomodulation) – uses focused light to target inflammation, improve blood flow and promote tissue healing
• Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) – delivers low-level electromagnetic pulses to support tissue repair and relieve discomfort
• Therapeutic ultrasound – sound waves soothe sore muscles and encourage healing (often requires a patch of fur to be shaved) 

These treatments must be administered by a trained professional. Your vet may be able to recommend one. 

Rehabilitation therapy

Rehabilitation therapies focus on helping cats regain strength, flexibility and comfort through gentle, hands-on techniques. These treatments can ease muscle tension, reduce stiffness and promote circulation – all of which help support mobility and wellbeing.

Some commonly used rehabilitation therapies include:

• Massage therapy – helps relax muscles, break down scar tissue and improve blood flow to aid recovery
• Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises – gentle, guided movements of the joints to maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness (owners often learn these exercises to help their cat at home)
• Hydrotherapy – if your cat tolerates water, then warm water can take pressure off the joint and allows for a low-impact exercise to strengthen muscles and improve circulation
• Targeted exercise therapy – encourages natural movement and muscle strengthening through light play such as chasing toys or stepping over low obstacles

Your vet can show you some rehabilitation exercises to use or recommend a qualified animal physiotherapist.
 

Supportive lifestyle and home care

Lifestyle changes play a big part in keeping cats with arthritis comfortable and active. Weight control, gentle activity, joint-friendly nutrition and a cat-friendly environment all contribute to maintaining mobility and quality of life. 

Along with prescribed treatments, simple adjustments at home can help alleviate strain on joints and enable your cat to move more freely.

Diet and nutraceuticals

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce joint pain in cats with arthritis. Even a small amount of extra weight puts added strain on the joints and increases inflammation.

Fat tissue releases chemicals called adipokines that can trigger inflammation throughout the body, which in turn can worsen joint pain. A weight management diet can therefore help ease pressure on sore joints and slow the progression of the disease.

Nutritional supplements can also help support joint health. Ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) support normal joint and cartilage health, and processes involved in the control of inflammation. Effects vary between cats, so it’s always best to speak to your vet before starting any supplement.
 

Environmental modification

Making small changes at home can make it easier for a cat with arthritis to stay active, whether it’s using a litter tray or reaching favourite spots without jumping. You should consider:

• Keeping everything your cat needs on one level, including food, water, litter tray and sleeping spots
• Adding ramps or small steps to favourite perches, windowsills or beds to make access easier
• Getting a litter tray with at least one low side to make it easier to step in and out 
• Soft, warm bedding in quiet, draught-free areas will help cushion sore joints and provide a restful night’s sleep

Pain relief options to avoid

Not all pain relief is safe for cats. Some medicines that are beneficial to humans or dogs can be toxic to cats, while others may interact with prescribed treatments. Always follow your vet’s advice and avoid guessing or experimenting with medication.
 

Human painkillers that are toxic to cats

Human painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol are highly toxic to cats. Even a small dose can cause severe illness or death. 

Never give your cat any medicine that hasn’t been specifically prescribed for them. 

If you suspect your cat has ingested a human medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Risks of unlicensed products