My cat is hiding pain and not jumping. Could it be arthritis?

Question

Felix hasn't seemed himself for a few days now. He seems to have a little trouble with jumping and is spending a lot more time indoors. Felix is usually a cat I see only when he is hungry during the day and then for cuddles at night. I am concerned as to whether he may be developing arthritis and am going to make a vet appointment tomorrow, although he may have injured himself too. I have googled feline arthritis, but can't find much about signs. Could you advise please? Thank you. Clair. Pet's info: Cat | British Shorthair | Male | neutered | 8 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs

Amy Poole, DVM · Accepted Answer

I'm so sorry Felix may be having some trouble. What you are seeing at home certainly can be caused by arthritis. Often cats will be stiff, have difficulty jumping up, and be reluctant to move around because of arthritis. Often these signs are pretty subtle as cats tend to hide their clinical signs of pain. Most cats will not vocalize when they hurt, as a dog sometimes will, so it can be tricky to diagnose. A good examination by your vet may reveal thickened joints or joints that have decreased range of motion. Sometimes we need to take x-rays to better evaluate for arthritis, looking for boney changes in and around the joints. If it is arthritis pain your vet may recommend glucosamine supplements that can be mixed in the food that can help hopefully slow down the progression. If Felix had an injury and is acutely in pain, he may need some pain medication for a few days. I hope Felix is back to his normal self soon!

My cat is hiding pain and not jumping. Could it be arthritis?

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