If you’ve ever watched your once-spry cat start to move less, sleep more, or hesitate before leaping onto the couch, you might have chalked it up to old age.

I know I did. Until I learned that cats are experts at hiding pain.

Unlike dogs, who might whimper or limp when something hurts, cats slip quietly into the background of their own discomfort. They don’t want to draw attention; it’s in their nature.

But here’s what often goes unsaid: that “slowing down” isn’t always just age catching up with them. More often than we realize, it is untreated arthritis—a silent ache in their joints that makes every jump and stretch feel like a mountain climb.

I remember the guilt that hit me when I finally realized my own cat wasn’t just “grumpy”—she was hurting. The little things piled up: skipping her favorite window perch, sleeping curled tighter than usual.

It feels heavy when you look back and wonder how long they suffered in silence. But here’s where you can make a difference. You can become a detective for your cat.

The “Jump Test”: How to Spot Mobility Issues

It’s easy to miss the first whispers of discomfort. But if you watch closely—especially when they try to leap—you’ll catch those quiet signals.

Brooke’s Jump Test

The Hesitation: Does she eye the distance to the couch warily, calculating whether she can make it?
The Midway Step: Does she use a chair to get to the table instead of jumping straight up?
The Pull-Up: Do you see her pulling herself up with her front claws instead of springing lightly from her back legs?

These aren’t just quirky habits. They are red flags.

When everyday movements become daunting challenges, it’s time to help. Simple cat stairs or ramps can restore their freedom without the pain of the impact.

The “Ungroomed” Patch: A Cry for Help

You might have noticed it—a patch of fur just above your senior cat’s tail that looks greasy, matted, or oddly spiky.

It is easy to think, “She’s just getting lazy with age.”

But let’s pause here. That ungroomed patch isn’t laziness. It is often the #1 visible sign of spinal arthritis.

When arthritis settles into their spine and hips, twisting around to groom those hard-to-reach places becomes nearly impossible. Imagine trying to scratch the center of your back when every movement sends a jolt through stiff joints. Eventually, you’d stop trying, too.

If you see this, gentle brushing isn’t just grooming—it’s pain relief.

The Litter Box Struggle

This is the hardest one for owners to accept. You find a puddle right next to the litter box.

It is easy to feel frustrated. But if your senior cat has joint pain, high-sided litter boxes feel like climbing a fence. Sometimes they try their best—getting close but not quite making it in—so the mess ends up just outside.

This isn’t spite. It’s a physical limitation.

The Fix

1. Switch to a low-entry senior litter box so they can walk in easily.

2. Place puppy pads around the box as a “forgiveness zone.”

Simple Changes, Big Difference

You don’t have to watch them suffer. Modern vet medicine has come a long way. Treatments like Solensia (a monthly injection specifically for cat arthritis pain) are changing lives by easing aches without the battle of daily pills.

But you can also make their world softer right now:

  • Add Heat: A heated cat bed is like a warm embrace for achy joints.
  • Add Steps: Give them their window perch back with a set of stairs.

Noticing these signs isn’t failing—it’s loving better with new knowledge. Your watchful heart can make their golden years truly golden.