Arthritis in cats

How do I know if my cat has arthritis?

Look for what your cat has stopped doing, not for a limp. Cats hide pain, and arthritis in cats mostly shows up as small changes. In one study of 100 cats aged 10 and older, X-rays showed joint disease in 90% of those over 12, so it is common even in cats that seem fine.

• Jumping less, or not at all
• Trouble with stairs, the litter tray or the cat flap
• Sleeping more, in spots that are easier to reach
• A matted coat, or overgrown claws
• Grumpy when handled, or keeping away from people and other pets

What do vets usually do for cat arthritis?

Your vet will take a history, examine the joints and may take X-rays and run blood and urine tests before choosing a medicine. A short video of your cat at home helps a lot. Most plans mix pain relief, weight control and changes at home.

What should I know about the monthly injection?

Solensia is an antibody made for cats that blocks nerve growth factor, a protein involved in pain. FDA approved it on 13 January 2022 as the first treatment to control arthritis pain in cats.

It also has real risks, and they are now spelled out more clearly. On 5 October 2026, FDA listed a safety-related label change for Solensia. The label now has a section on reports received since approval. Those include itching that can be severe, skin sores, loss of coordination, seizures, weakness, kidney blood test changes, and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It says death, including euthanasia, has been reported as an outcome. Vets are now told to give you a Client Information Sheet and talk through side effects before each injection.

A report shows what happened after a dose, which is not always what caused it. The UK medicines regulator said in January 2025 that fewer than 3 animals had a suspected side effect per 1,000 doses sold, a figure that includes cases later found to have other causes, and that it still saw the benefits outweighing the risks when used as labelled. That is one regulator's figure, from before the US label change.

The label says Solensia should not be used in cats with a known allergy to it, or in breeding, pregnant or nursing cats. It has not been evaluated in cats under 7 months or 5.5 pounds, and safety alongside NSAIDs has not been established. In the field study, worsening of existing kidney disease was among the reported events, so tell your vet about any kidney problem.

• Call your vet if you see severe itching, balance problems, trouble walking or jumping, weakness, seizures, more drinking or peeing, vomiting or diarrhea after an injection.
• Weigh the risks with your vet for your own cat. Pain that goes untreated also harms a cat.

Are NSAIDs safe for cats?

They can be, in a vet's hands, but this is an area for real caution. FDA says meloxicam is approved in cats in the US only as a single injection around surgery. Oral meloxicam is approved for dogs and not for cats, and FDA asked for a boxed warning after finding cases of sudden kidney failure and death in cats given repeated doses. Robenacoxib tablets are approved in the US for short-term pain after surgery.

Even so, some vets prescribe NSAIDs for longer as an extra-label use, and it can be a reasonable choice. The 2024 ISFM and AAFP guidelines exist to help vets do that safely. They cover screening before prescribing, monitoring, and how to approach cats with chronic kidney disease, which is common in older cats. Never change the amount yourself, and never give leftover medicine or a dog's medicine to your cat.

Can I give my cat human painkillers?

No. Please don't. The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are especially susceptible to acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol) poisoning, and very susceptible to aspirin. Ibuprofen and naproxen are also dangerous. The reason is in the liver: cats have a limited ability to process these drugs, so they build up or turn toxic.

Even a cream can matter. FDA reported cats that became ill or died in homes where owners had used a prescription pain cream containing flurbiprofen on their own skin.

If your cat may have had a human painkiller, treat it as an emergency and contact a vet or a pet poison line right away, even if your cat looks fine. Brown or muddy gums, a swollen face or paws, fast breathing or sudden weakness are signs of acetaminophen poisoning.

Which peptides do owners ask about, and what is known?

Owners most often ask about BPC-157 and TB-500 for joints, because of claims about tissue repair. Neither has been officially tested in cats, and neither is FDA-approved for animals. BPC-157 returns no PubMed results at all for cats, and no clinical trial of TB-500 in cats appears there either. So nobody can say whether either one eases arthritis pain in a cat, or what a safe amount would be.

Nobody has studied how these products mix with Solensia or NSAIDs. Products aren't checked by FDA, so the label may not match what's inside. And a cat on an untested product may simply hide its pain, which can look like success. Read our BPC-157 guide and safety guide before you decide anything, and tell your vet about any product you are considering. The seller comparison shows what each seller proves.

What helps at home?

These changes, from International Cat Care and VCA, help whichever treatment you choose.

• Steps or a ramp to the bed, sofa and windowsill.
• A low-sided litter tray on every floor, with soft, sandy litter.
• Food and water that don't need a jump or stairs, with raised bowls if that seems easier.
• Soft, warm beds away from drafts.
• Mats or rugs on slippery floors.
• Gentle play, such as a feather toy or hidden food.

What to ask your vet

Good questions for the appointment:

• Do you think this is arthritis, and do we need X-rays?
• Which pain relief suits my cat, given its kidneys and age?
• What did the October 2026 Solensia label change mean for my cat?
• Which tests do you want before and during treatment?
• How will we measure whether my cat is more comfortable?
• I have read about peptides. Could one interfere with this plan?