CATS · Symptom guide
Cat not jumping up anymore: the under-recognised sign of arthritis
When an older cat suddenly stops jumping onto the bed, the windowsill, or the kitchen counter, owners almost always blame age. In published case series and the most widely-cited feline pain literature, the answer is overwhelmingly osteoarthritis — the most under-diagnosed disease in cats over 10. Radiographic studies suggest more than 90% of cats over 12 have OA somewhere; clinically only about 2% are formally diagnosed.
Cats don't limp the way dogs do. Instead they quietly opt out — less jumping, hesitation at the litter box edge, missing the box altogether, reduced grooming, more sleeping, irritability when touched on the back or hips. Other differentials worth ruling out: hyperthyroidism (cats lose muscle mass), cardiomyopathy (saddle thrombus can present as sudden hind-limb weakness), and neurological disease.
The cases below are real veterinary reports of cats whose owners noticed a change in jumping or activity level and what the workup found.
When to see a vet now
- Sudden hind-limb weakness or paralysis — emergency, possible aortic thromboembolism (saddle thrombus).
- Reluctance to use one specific leg vs. general slowing — points to acute injury or fracture.
- Weight loss with stiffness — workup hyperthyroidism and CKD.
- Hiding more, hissing when touched — under-recognised pain signs.
- Any new behaviour change in a senior cat deserves a vet visit, not just "old age".
Real cases from the veterinary literature
A teaser of peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for this complaint. Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat].
Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde
A 2-year-old female Burmese cat was brought to the vet because she was experiencing periodic muscle weakness and her head was drooping down. Tests showed she had low potassium levels, which is a condition known as hypokalemia. This is a hereditary issue common in Burmese cats, leading to a diagnosis of periodic hypokalemic myopathy. After starting potassium supplements, her sym
- The benefits of multidisciplinary collaboration in the successful management of two complex feline cases.
Australian veterinary journal · 2026 · Australia
A 2-year-old spayed domestic shorthair cat was brought in for repeated self-trauma to her face, while a 3-year-old spayed domestic long-haired cat came in after surgery for a hairball blockage. Both cats had complex issues that involved medical and behavioral factors. A team of veterinary specialists worked together to diagnose and treat their conditions, which included medicat
- Newly Discovered Rustrela Virus: Current State of Knowledge About the Etiological Agent of Feline "Staggering Disease".
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
A cat with staggering disease, which causes symptoms like unsteady walking, seizures, and changes in behavior, has been linked to a newly discovered virus called rustrela virus (RusV). This virus primarily affects domestic cats and has been found in various mammals across Europe and North America. While the exact ways it spreads are still being studied, the emergence of RusV ra
- Application of NanoScope in Treating Severe Shoulder Dysplasia With Intraarticular Osseous Bodies in a Cat.
Veterinary medicine and science · 2025
A 2-year and 9-month-old male neutered Himalayan cat was brought in for limping on his left front leg. The vet found severe shoulder joint dysplasia and some bone fragments inside the joint. After using a small camera tool called a NanoScope to remove the bone pieces, the cat's lameness improved significantly. However, nine months later, a new bone fragment appeared in the same
- Putative paraneoplastic alopecia in a cat with apocrine adenocarcinoma.
Veterinary dermatology · 2025 · Brazil
A 13-year-old female cat was brought to the vet because she had a noticeable hair loss on her belly and shiny skin, along with a mass on her head. After examining her, the vet found that she had a type of cancer called apocrine adenocarcinoma, which can cause hair loss due to changes in the hair follicles. Unfortunately, this condition is linked to serious underlying health iss
- Rehabilitation of chronic pain and enhanced healing in feline femoral surgery: A case report on laser therapy
Open Veterinary Journal · 2025 · LY
A 7-year-old cat was brought in for ongoing limping and discomfort three years after surgery for a broken leg. Despite the initial surgery, the cat continued to experience chronic pain, leading to the removal of the orthopedic implant. After the surgery, the cat received 25 sessions of laser therapy over two months, which significantly improved its ability to bear weight and mo
Frequently asked questions
- My cat doesn't limp — could it still be arthritis?
- Almost certainly, if she's over 10. Cats hide pain by withdrawal, not limping. The Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) is a validated owner questionnaire that helps quantify this. If your cat used to jump and doesn't anymore, treat it as a pain signal until proven otherwise.
- Are there safe pain medications for cats?
- Yes. Frunevetmab (Solensia) is a once-monthly injection licensed specifically for feline OA pain — many cats become noticeably more active within 1-2 doses. Meloxicam can also be used long-term at the lowest effective dose with regular kidney monitoring. Never give human painkillers — paracetamol is fatal to cats.
- What else could it be?
- Hyperthyroidism causes muscle wasting and weakness; CKD causes lethargy and weight loss; cardiomyopathy can cause sudden hind-limb paralysis (aortic thromboembolism). A full senior workup — bloodwork, blood pressure, urinalysis, total T4 — sorts most of these out alongside an orthopaedic exam.