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.
- Multimodal in-home management of osteoarthritis-associated pain in a feline patient: A case report
Human-Animal Interactions · 2026 · United States
This case report discusses how a cat with chronic pain from osteoarthritis (a type of joint pain) was treated at home. The cat had some behavioral sensitivities, making it important for the caregivers to use a flexible and gentle approach. The treatment plan included managing the cat's weight, using heat therapy, massage, and exercises, along with medications like meloxicam and
- Frunevetmab, a felinized anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis in cats.
Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2021 · United States
Frunevetmab is a new treatment designed to help reduce pain from osteoarthritis (a type of joint pain) in cats. In a study with 275 cats suffering from this condition, those treated with frunevetmab showed significant improvements in their pain levels and mobility compared to those who received a placebo (a dummy treatment). The treatment was given as an injection at the start
- Efficacy and Safety of an Anti-nerve Growth Factor Antibody (Frunevetmab) for the Treatment of Degenerative Joint Disease-Associated Chronic Pain in Cats: A Multisite Pilot Field Study.
Frontiers in veterinary science · 2021 · United States
This study looked at a new treatment for cats suffering from chronic pain due to degenerative joint disease (DJD), which is a common condition that affects their joints. Researchers tested a medication called frunevetmab, which is designed to help manage pain, by giving it to 126 cats in two different ways: through an injection under the skin or into a vein. Owners reported tha
- Feline Osteoarthritis Management.
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice · 2023 · United States
Feline osteoarthritis, which is a type of joint pain in cats, is quite common and can lead to problems with movement and overall quality of life, even if the signs are not very obvious. To help manage this condition, a combination of treatments may be used, including pain relief medications, changes to their diet, supplements, adjustments to their living space, physical therapy
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.