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The important points, first
- In cats, arthritis pain shows more in changed habits, such as avoided jumps or less grooming, than in limping.
- Moving every day, with outings of similar length, is better than long walks now and then.
- In dogs, keeping a lean weight over time slows the progression of osteoarthritis.
- Non-slip mats, ramps and a bed in a quiet corner make the home easier to live in.
- Painkillers and supplements are for your veterinarian to choose: do not give them on your own.
How to recognise joint pain
In dogs, osteoarthritis often starts from developmental problems such as hip dysplasia, or from a joint injury. The international COAST Development Group guidelines describe it as incurable but manageable, with care aimed at limiting pain and mobility problems and protecting quality of life. Diet, obesity, genetics, age, breed and environment influence its onset and progression.
In cats, osteoarthritis is very common, especially with age. A 2025 review estimates it affects well over one cat in four, yet it is rarely diagnosed. Most cats do not limp. Instead, their habits change little by little: the cat hesitates before jumping, uses the stairs less, rests more, grooms less, keeps to itself or becomes more aggressive. Many owners put these signs down to normal ageing. If you notice any of them, talk to your veterinarian; the AAHA guidelines suggest taking a few short videos of your pet moving at home to show at the visit.1453
Moving every day, consistently
For dogs, the COAST Development Group recommends exercise suited to age and breed, done every day and with a consistent duration. High-impact activities and sharp changes of direction should be avoided unless the dog is conditioned. The AAHA pain guidelines report that daily walking has been associated with less severe lameness in dogs with hip dysplasia.
It is therefore better to go out every day for a similar length of time than to save movement for one long weekend walk. A veterinarian trained in rehabilitation can suggest simple exercises to do at home to maintain strength and balance. If your pet limps more or seems sore after activity, tell your veterinarian.12
Weight matters for joints too
Fat tissue releases substances that fuel inflammation, including in the joints. The AAHA guidelines cite studies that followed dogs over their whole lives: those kept lean on a controlled diet had slower osteoarthritis progression and lived longer. The COAST Development Group recommends assessing body weight, body condition and muscle condition, and reaching and keeping an ideal weight.
In the months when your pet moves less, weigh it regularly. If it needs to lose weight, the plan should be built with your veterinarian. For an overweight cat, going without food is dangerous: a period of poor appetite, even one caused by a diet with foods the cat refuses, can trigger a serious liver disease called hepatic lipidosis.216
A more comfortable home
The AAHA guidelines advise helping pets keep their footing, with carpet runners or mats on slippery floors, and adding ramps or steps to reach favourite spots. An animal in pain looks for quiet, sheltered corners to rest, and that is where a comfortable bed should go. Larger dogs may benefit from raised bowls and a padded harness to help lift them.
For cats, AAHA recommends choosing litter box placement and design carefully. The resting area should be a manageable distance from food and litter, which encourages the cat to move. A baby gate or cat flap can set aside a quiet space. For older animals with poorer sight or hearing, household hazards such as stairs and pools should also be considered.23
Sources and checks
Numbers in the text lead to the exact source. Commercial blogs and social posts are not used as evidence.
- 1Veterinary guideline
COAST Development Group’s international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis
Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2023) · PubMed PMID 37601753 · Causes and risk factors, daily exercise of consistent duration, weight management, home exercises with a rehabilitation professional. Authors declare industry relationships.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 2Veterinary guideline
2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Nonpharmacologic Modalities
American Animal Hospital Association · Fat tissue and inflammation, lean weight and osteoarthritis progression, daily walks, rehabilitation, secure footing, ramps, resting areas, distance from food and litter.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 3Veterinary guideline
2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Pain Management
American Animal Hospital Association · Pain mistaken for ageing, videos of the pet moving, litter box placement and design, raised bowls, mats, padded harnesses, household hazards for seniors.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 4Peer-reviewed research article
Osteoarthritis in cats: what we know, and mostly, what we don’t know… yet
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2025) · PubMed PMID 40685570 · Osteoarthritis as the main cause of chronic pain in cats, over a quarter of the population, underdiagnosed; behavioural signs mistaken for ageing.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 5Peer-reviewed research article
Osteoarthritis in the cat: 1. How common is it and how easy to recognise?
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2012) · PubMed PMID 22247326 · In cats osteoarthritis rarely causes limping: it shows as gradual changes in mobility, activity, grooming and behaviour.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026 - 6Peer-reviewed veterinary manual
Feline Hepatic Lipidosis
Merck Veterinary Manual · Inappetence in overconditioned cats as the trigger, including forced weight loss with refused foods.
Link checked on 16 Sept 2026
This guide does not recommend medicines, supplements or doses. Diagnosis of osteoarthritis and pain management are for your veterinarian.