Caring for Cats With Arthritis: One Owner’s Experience

I admit, as a cat owner, I only realized how vital joint care is after my cat was diagnosed with arthritis. For years, I gave her quality food and fun toys, believing she’d stay healthy. But everything changed when she started moving slowly, delayed her jumps, and woke up stiff—even avoiding her litter box. That’s when I asked my vet for advice and learned preventive care should start much earlier.

For years, I used a high-entry, fully enclosed litter box that looked great—but required my cat to climb in and out over a tall edge. Once arthritis set in, she began holding her urine, avoided the litter box, and sometimes struggled, even falling when attempting to enter. Reluctance and discomfort grew. Taking my vet’s advice, I switched to a low-entry stainless steel litter box to help arthritis in cats. Instantly, she could move freely again—seeing her comfortable was such a relief.

Joint Care at Home: More Than Medicine

Talking to my vet opened my eyes to other simple changes that help arthritic cats:

• Lay down anti-slip mats throughout the home, especially along my cat’s usual walking routes (from the bedroom to food and water bowls, the litter box, and the climbing tree), reducing the risk of slipping and falling.

• Elevate the food and water bowls to an appropriate height, relieving strain on her neck and back.

• In winter, add warming pads in her favorite sleeping spots to help with morning stiffness.

• Gradually lower the height of climbing structures and replace big jumps with gentle ramps so she can still explore and climb safely, without overexerting herself as she gets older.

• Engage in gentle play every day with a wand toy, maintaining some muscle tone and joint mobility while avoiding rough games that involve running and jumping.

• Trim her claws every two to four weeks, and use paw balm when her pads get cracked, so she can land safely and grip the floor securely.

• Focus even more on protein and hydration in her diet, setting up several water stations throughout the house, and—after consulting my vet—adding joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and Omega-3s to support cartilage repair and reduce inflammation.

• Before activity (when she’s relaxed), apply a warm compress to her joints, and occasionally give her a gentle massage or try some assisted stretching with professional guidance.

• Be diligent with weight management: use a kitchen scale to portion meals precisely, keep treats to under 10% of daily calories, and monitor her weight every two weeks to prevent excess weight putting extra stress on her joints.

Lessons Learned—and When to Start Joint Care

Looking back, I wish I'd made many of these changes before arthritis started: picking a low entry litter box based on ease instead of appearance, adding anti-slip mats, managing weight closely, prioritizing supplements, and setting up routines for claw and paw care. Learning about age-related risks and prevention makes all the difference. Even though I only acted after the diagnosis, these changes have made my cat happier and so much more comfortable.

If your cat is young or old, consider switching high-sided boxes for low-entry ones, set up anti-slip mats, and build routines that support joint health. Sometimes, starting just a little earlier can spare your cat a lot of pain and keep them active and content much longer. I only wish I had started sooner.

FAQ

How do you treat arthritis in cats?
Helping a cat with arthritis often starts with little changes at home—like adding a cozy ramp or a high side low entry litter box so bathroom breaks are less of a struggle. Vets may recommend gentle pain relief, joint supplements, and keeping playtime gentle but regular. For many cats, simple adjustments—softer bedding, easier access to favorite spots, and healthy weight management—can make daily life much more comfortable.

What age do cats start getting arthritis?
Most cats start feeling the effects of arthritis after age 7, but some show signs earlier, especially if they’re very active or carry extra weight. Paying attention to how a cat moves as they age is the best way to spot trouble early.

How to tell if your cat has arthritis?
Watch for little hints—slower climbing, hesitating before jumping, seeming stiff after naps, or even skipping the litter box because it’s hard to get in. If a once-playful cat just wants to curl up and seems sore, it’s worth asking the vet about arthritis.

How long can my cat live with arthritis?
With the right care and a few adjustments, cats with arthritis still enjoy many cozy, happy years at home. Their activity might change, but focusing on keeping them comfortable means they can keep sharing those quiet, loving moments with their family.