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Symptom Checker

This checklist will help identify your cat’s activities and behaviours that might be signs of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that can be painful. This checklist will be emailed to you, allowing you to keep it ready for potentially arranging your next visit to the vet after assessing the results from your symptom checker.
Check Your Cat

Osteoarthritis pain can be a serious health problem for your cat. And cats hide almost everything, especially pain. You know your cat’s playful ways and what he/she loves better than anyone. Changes in these behaviours could be signs of osteoarthritis pain. Your veterinarian relies on you to report changes in your cat’s behaviour for more accurate diagnoses.

If it is found that your cat is showing signs of OA-related pain, helping your cat begins by talking to your vet.

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Frequently asked questions

About osteoarthritis in cats


Osteoarthritis is a condition that leads to pain and progressive degeneration of the joint. It affects many aspects of a cat’s life, including limited mobility, painful joints, and a poor quality of life.1 Cats are naturally good at hiding pain, so it’s important to look out for subtle signs like trouble walking or running, moving slower than normal, appearing stiff when first getting up, reluctance to play, and restlessness at night.

(reference: https://www2.zoetis.co.za/)

Osteoarthritis can affect all cat breeds and ages. While it’s more common in older cats, it can also develop in younger cats due to factors like injury or genetic predisposition. Certain breeds, such as Persians, Himalayans, Scottish Folds, Maine Coons, Devon Rex, and Abyssinians, are particularly prone to osteoarthritis due to specific body structures or genetic predispositions.
Although the disease cannot be cured your veterinarian can recommend treatments and a long-term plan to ensure your cat lives a pain-free life.


While arthritis can’t be cured, we can help your cat live a happier, more active life. By managing pain, we can improve their mobility, reduce stiffness, and boost their overall quality of life. This can help them enjoy playtime, maintain independence, and strengthen their bond with you. Your vet can create a personalised treatment plan to ensure your feline friend lives a pain-free life.

Arthritis Pain Relief Medication is indicated to control pain associated with feline osteoarthritis.

(reference: https://www2.zoetis.co.za/)

Dr Kenneth

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From Our Trusted Vet
Dr Kenneth

Ask our resident vet Dr Kenneth questions about your cat’s arthritis and get the best advice on how to treat your arthritic cat to ensure that your cat enjoys quality of life pain free

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