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Feline Osteoarthritis Pain Checklist

Could my cat have Osteoarthritis? 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 she loves better than anyone. Changes in these behaviors could be signs of osteoarthritis pain. Your veterinarian relies on you to report changes in your cat’s behavior 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.

This checklist will help your veterinary team identify your cat’s activities and behaviors that might be signs of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that can be painful.

Think about your cat’s activity in the past week. Check all of the signs that you’ve observed in your cat.

Osteoarthritis has physical and emotional effects

Just as in humans, chronic pain negatively impacts your cat’s quality of life, not just physically, but also emotionally. The good news is that by identifying your cat’s condition, you and your veterinarian can develop a treatment plan for your cat.

A recent peer-reviewed published study demonstrated the initial validity and reliability of a quality of life assessment for chronic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, in cats.2 Using these questions, you can help your veterinarian assess and monitor ho well your cat’s chronic pain management treatment is working.

Think about your cat’s behavior in the past week and help us determine a starting point by completing the following table.

0 = My cat couldn’t be less; 6 = My cat couldn’t be more
0 = My cat couldn’t be less; 6 = My cat couldn’t be more
0 = My cat couldn’t be less; 6 = My cat couldn’t be more

OA pain can affect cats of any age, and it has been seen in more than 60% of cats that are 6 years or older If left untreated, the pain can become worse over time. This checklist is designed to help with the recognition of OA pain to help keep your cat happy and active. Your veterinary team will review the results of this checklist with you to identify if your cat might be suffering from OA. This checklist is not a medical diagnostic tool and is not intended to replace discussion with an animal healthcare professional. Discuss medical concerns with your veterinarian.