Joint Stiffness in cats - Why we miss it and how to spot it early
We often notice the signs of ageing and stiffness fairly early in our dogs - we’re out walking with them every day. But our cats tend to be more relaxed at home. They snooze, they eat, they snooze, they snuggle.
So, when our feline friends are slowing down, it’s harder to spot, especially as they’re the masters of disguise and hide signs of joint stiffness, making it really difficult to help them.
How do you spot the signs, and how can you help your cat?
How common is joint stiffness in cats?
There have been a variety of studies looking at joint health in cats, and unfortunately, joint stiffness in cats is really common—just as common as in dogs and people.
However, it’s so much harder to spot in cats, with one study showing that only 4% of cat owners noticed their cats had stiff joints and reported it to their vet.
Why is it hard to spot joint stiffness in your cat?
Cats are the masters of disguise. In the wild, regardless of whether they are the predator or the prey, it’s safer to hide if they are struggling with their mobility.
If they look vulnerable, they’re more likely to be attacked by predators or even other members of their pride looking to take their place.
In the wild, you’d be unlikely to spot when a big cat is in trouble until it is a serious problem, one that they’re unlikely to survive—until that point, they will modify their behaviour to keep it hidden.
Our feline friends at home are the same. They’ll naturally hide their stiffness, rather than show it off. Great for them, they won’t be eaten by a lion today…not so good for us when we’re trying to keep them as healthy as possible.
How does early detection of joint stiffness help?
Detecting joint stiffness early gives you a head start. It means that you, and potentially your vet, can work to keep your cat moving and mobile for as long as possible. Vets use multiple approaches to support lifelong joint health, so they may offer you a combination of options. The earlier you can kick off this support, the better.
What are the signs of joint stiffness in cats?
The signs can be subtle. You might notice a slight difference in behaviour, like staying on the floor and shouting at you while you prepare their food, rather than jumping up onto the worktop and getting in your way.
Here are a few signs to look out for:
Not so active
They might miss their usual zoomies sessions or be indoors more than outdoors. In the wild, big cats will do less if their joints are stiff, so that it’s not so noticeable to the outside world. It’s the same at home; they’re keeping themselves safe.
Reluctance or hesitation in jumping
They’re not on the worktops, or they take a few attempts to pop up to their usual spot.
The grumps
Maybe you’ve been batted with the paw a few more times than usual, or they turn their back on their usual fuss. Irritability has entered the cat-chat!
They’ve missed the litter tray
A trickier one to spot if they usually go outside, but often, a cat with joint stiffness will find manoeuvring around the litter tray a bit of an effort, and you might notice they miss, or even avoid it completely.
However, with ANY litter or toileting issues, we always recommend you seek advice from your vet immediately, as serious conditions are often first spotted in changes to toileting behaviour. It's not always a mobility concern.
More vocal (or less, depending on their usual character)
Are they shouting at you more, grumbling, or making themselves known around the house? Or are they quiet? Both options can be a sign
Coat looking scruffy
Sometimes they find it tricky to reach the right grooming spot if they have stiff joints, and they might start to look a little scruffy. Or you might notice spots where they’re grooming a lot and the fur looks soggy or stained. Both options are potentially signs of joint stiffness.
What should you do if you think your cat has stiff joints?
If you notice any of these signs in your cat, chat to your vet. They can help you develop a long-term plan to support your cat’s healthy mobility. This might include:
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Exercises and games you can do at home
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A high-quality joint supplement such as Antinol
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Physiotherapy sessions.
Spotting the signs of joint stiffness early is vital to the long-term joint health and mobility of your feline friend. You want to keep them prowling, purring and pouncing for all of their 9 lives. So supporting their joint health early will give you as many years of fun together as possible.
Want to add a science-backed joint supplement that’s recommended by vets worldwide to your cat’s mobility routine?
Try an Antinol Starter Pack to keep your cat prowling through life!
