Arthritis in cats is far more common than most owners think. In one study of cats over 12 years old, 90% showed signs of joint wear on x-rays (Hardie et al., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002). Cats are very good at hiding it, so it often goes unnoticed. Some breeds, such as Scottish Folds and Maine Coons, carry a higher risk from birth, and extra weight raises it for every cat. A firm, supportive bed, low steps up to their favourite spots and grippy mats on smooth floors can make each day easier on their joints. Here is what the research says, and how to set up your home.
How common is arthritis in cats?
Much more common than it looks from the outside.
- Older cats: 90% of cats over 12 had signs of degenerative joint disease on x-rays, in the spine, the legs or both (Hardie et al., 2002).
- Cats of all ages: in a study of 218 cats with an average age of 6.5 years, about a third (34%) already showed joint wear on x-rays (Clarke et al., Veterinary Record, 2005).
Not every cat with changes on an x-ray is in pain. But it means that by the senior years, most cats have some joint wear, and many owners only notice it as "slowing down with age".
Which cats are more at risk?
- Scottish Folds. The gene that folds the ears also affects cartilage throughout the body. The RSPCA states that "all Scottish Fold cats with folded ears are affected" by this condition, called osteochondrodysplasia, though how badly varies from cat to cat (RSPCA Australia; Rorden et al., Human Genetics, 2021). Folds often get painful, stiff joints, especially in the back legs and tail.
- Maine Coons. About 1 in 4 Maine Coons screened by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals had hip dysplasia (24.9% of 2,548 cats; Loder and Todhunter, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2018). Males were affected slightly more often.
- Overweight cats of any breed. In a study of 1,457 cats followed for over four years, obese cats were 4.9 times as likely to become lame as cats at a healthy weight (Scarlett and Donoghue, JAVMA, 1998).
- Senior cats. Age is the biggest factor of all, as the figures above show.
The quiet signs to look for
Cats rarely limp or cry. Instead, watch for small changes:
- Pausing before a jump, jumping lower, or giving up a favourite high spot.
- Using a chair as a halfway step instead of jumping straight up.
- Stiff, slow movement after a long nap.
- A messier coat along the back and hips, because bending to groom is harder.
- Toileting just outside the litter tray, which can happen when stepping over a high side hurts.
- Sleeping more, playing less, or being grumpy when stroked in certain places.
If you see any of these, book a vet check. Go sooner if your cat is limping, crying out, hiding, or eating less. Your vet can confirm what is going on and suggest treatment. The home changes below work alongside your vet's advice, never instead of it.
A joint-friendly home for cats, step by step
VCA Animal Hospitals gives clear home advice for cats with arthritis (VCA, Helping Your Cat with Osteoarthritis). It comes down to four things.
1. A supportive bed where they already rest
VCA recommends "an orthopedic or memory foam bed to reduce pressure on sore joints", placed somewhere easy to reach, close to where your cat spends most of the day. A good bed for a senior or joint-prone cat has a memory foam top that shapes to the body, a firm base so the cat does not sink to the floor, a low entry, and soft sides to lean on. In an air-conditioned room, it also lifts your cat off cold tiles.
2. Low steps up to the sofa, bed and window
Cats want to be up high and close to you. VCA suggests "stable step stools, ottomans, ramps, or carpeted pet stairs" so cats can still reach their favourite perches. Steps should be firm and not wobble, with a surface that grips paws.
3. Grip on smooth floors
"Slippery flooring can make it difficult for cats with OA to walk, turn, jump, and rise comfortably," says VCA, which recommends non-skid rugs, mats or carpet runners. Put non-slip mats where your cat lands after a jump, in front of the litter tray, and along the path to food and water.
4. An easy litter tray, and a lean, active cat
- Use a litter tray with a low side or a cut-down entrance, and keep one on every level of your home.
- Keep food, water and the litter tray close together, so nothing needs a big jump.
- Keep your cat lean. VCA calls a lean body "one of the best ways to reduce stress on arthritic joints". Ask your vet before starting any diet.
- Play gently every day with wand toys at floor level, so your cat keeps moving without big leaps.
How Mitodo Kumo and Sora help cats
The Mitodo Kumo Orthopaedic Dog & Cat Bed has a memory gel foam layer over a high-density support foam base, and both foam layers are CertiPUR-US® certified. The front is low and open, so there is no wall to climb over, and soft bolsters on three sides give your cat something to lean on. The OEKO-TEX® microsuede cover zips off and machine washes cold, with a water-resistant liner underneath to protect the foam from accidents. The Small size (for pets under 8 kg) fits most cats. Larger breeds such as Maine Coons are better suited to the Medium.
Mitodo Sora pet stairs have three low, equal steps, each with a gentle 16° slope, up to a 38 cm top step that suits most sofas and lower beds. The firm CertiPUR-US® certified foam does not wobble, the cover is washable, and rubber dots underneath grip tiles, vinyl and wood. Expect a thorough inspection first. Then a treat on each step usually does the rest; our stairs training guide was written for dogs, but the same patient, treat-led steps work for many cats.
The foam in both is covered by our lifetime foam warranty. If you would like both, the Kumo Bed + Sora Stairs Set pairs them. Add a non-slip mat where your cat lands, and you have covered the bed, the climb and the floor.
Shopping for a bed? See our orthopaedic dog and cat beds in every size and colour.
The short version
Most cats will have some joint wear by their senior years, and Scottish Folds, Maine Coons and overweight cats are more at risk. Keep your cat lean, give them a supportive bed where they already nap, low steps to the places they love, and grip on smooth floors. Then let your vet check their joints every year.
Sources
- Hardie EM, Roe SC, Martin FR. Radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease in geriatric cats: 100 cases (1994-1997). JAVMA, 2002; 220(5):628-632.
- Clarke SP, Mellor D, Clements DN, et al. Prevalence of radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease in a hospital population of cats. Veterinary Record, 2005; 157(25):793-799.
- Loder RT, Todhunter RJ. Demographics of hip dysplasia in the Maine Coon cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2018; 20(4):302-307.
- Scarlett JM, Donoghue S. Associations between body condition and disease in cats. JAVMA, 1998; 212(11):1725-1731.
- Rorden C, et al. Radiographical survey of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Fold cats caused by the TRPV4 gene variant. Human Genetics, 2021.
- RSPCA Australia. What are the animal welfare problems associated with Scottish Fold cats?
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Helping Your Cat with Osteoarthritis.