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My senior cat is lethargic with a head tilt. Is it arthritis or more?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 16 years and 2 months old | 14 lbs

Hello, my cat is 16 and does have arthritis, hes eating fine, going to the bathroom, but is very lethargic and walks slow and in a daze and seems to be uncomfortable trying to lay down, he also doesnt purr like he usually does, could it just be pain from his arthritis? Or more? He also walks with his head slightly tilted to one side and has a zoned out face on

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 14th, 2017

Poor Max. This does sound a bit more than just arthritis. It sounds like he may have a condition called vestibular disease. This is a neurological condition that causes a slight head tilt, a staggered gate, and dizziness. He probably is empowering because he feels and balanced and slightly off. This can also make pets a little nauseous. Talk to your veterinarian about getting him on medication to help ease his discomfort and also motion sickness medication can help him deal with these symptoms. The vet will also want to check for an inner ear infection, which can be the cause of some vestibular disease cases. I hope your for baby feels better soon!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    It is possible that Max's symptoms are caused by pain from his arthritis, but it could also be caused by vestibular disease. Vestibular disease has a multitude of causes, including ear infections, ear polyps, encephalitis (infection of the lining of the brain), and spinal cord disease. I would have Max seen by a vet tomorrow for a physical exam, blood tests, and a urinalysis. The vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms so he can be treated.

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