Cats are famously nimble and are often slinking, jumping and getting into places only an acrobat could dream of. Unfortunately, as they age, they can slow down, start to stiffen, and experience pain, which diminishes their agility.
Loss of mobility in cats can happen for several reasons, and a lot of the time, it's all part of the natural ageing process. Luckily, there are things we can do to help our senior cats stay comfortable and as happy as possible as they age.
Below, we discuss how to identify mobility loss in cats, give you tips on supporting your senior cat around the home and explore how your cat's diet can help improve the effects of ageing.
Reasons for mobility loss in older cats
As cats age, they may encounter degenerative conditions that affect their mobility. Loss of mobility in cats can stem from various factors, such as natural ageing, past or recent trauma, or underlying disorders and diseases, including:
- Obesity
- Degenerative joint disease (Arthritis)
- Hip dysplasia
- Injury
- Limb deformities
- Developmental disorders
What are the signs of mobility issues in older cats?
Signs of mobility issues in cats can sometimes be subtle and tricky to spot. Cats are extremely good at hiding pain, so you must watch for the slightest changes.
Some symptoms of pain and mobility issues in cats can include:
- Changes in grooming patterns
- Increased aggression
- Decreased energy levels
- Weak back legs
- Limping or changes in gait
- Difficulty with climbing or jumping (taking extra steps to reach high points)
- Sleeping more often
- Difficulty chasing moving objects
- Having accidents outside the litter tray
These behaviour signals could also indicate other underlying issues. If you observe any of these changes and suspect your cat is experiencing pain or mobility problems, take them to your vet for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
How to support a senior cat with mobility loss
If your senior cat is having issues with their mobility, they'll need your help to make their lives a little easier wherever possible. Minor changes to the home and routine can make a huge difference to older pets.
Your vet will advise you on the best way to support your cat, but here are some of the ways you can help them with their mobility:
1. Watch your cat's weight
Cats rely on their healthy bodies to get around and perform daily activities. If a cat is overweight, it struggles to move efficiently, and the extra weight puts undue pressure on joints and bones. Sticking to feeding guidelines is crucial to maintaining your cat's weight and ensuring its health is at its best as it ages.
Also make sure your cat is getting adequate daily exercise. As more and more of our cats are becoming indoor only pets it is up to the owner to provide exercise and stimulation. This not only helps your cat's mental wellbeing but ensures exercise to maintain muscle mass, improve bone density and reduce obesity risk.
2. Provide a comfortable and safe place for your cat to rest
Giving your cat a comfy bed in a quiet area of the house means they can take time out in their own spot to relax and rest their bodies.
3. Provide ramps to high spots around your home
Senior cats can find it hard to reach higher points in the house, so providing ramps will help them maintain their independence and reduce stress on their joints.
4. Provide easy access to litter boxes
Cats that struggle with mobility in their legs and hips may find it hard to get in and out of a litter box. Providing a litter box with a lower side for easy access and a non-slip mat can make going to the toilet much easier.
5. Provide easy access to the outdoors
If you have an outdoor cat, your senior cat should not have to jump up or down from windows or other access points to get outside. Installing proper ground-level cat doors ensures that they will not hurt themselves or use too much energy getting outdoors.
6. Try heat therapy with heat pads
If your cat is experiencing pain and stiffness due to arthritis, heat therapy can help reduce the discomfort. You can buy many types of heat pads made for animals that are safe and easy to use.
7. Provide anti-inflammatory and pain-modifying medications
Cats that experience pain due to arthritis may require medications to help with inflammation and pain management. It is crucial that you only give your cat medicines prescribed by your vet, as some cats can be sensitive to certain active ingredients.
Browse our recommended senior cat products
SnuggleSafe Microwave Heat Pad
The SnuggleSafe Microwave Heating Pad is a simple, safe way to provide your cat, dog or small pet with comforting warmth. After only minutes in your microwave, the SnuggleSafe pad will provide your cherished companion with up to 10 hours of warmth and comfort. The heating pad is bite resistant, has no wires for a pet to chew through and is totally non toxic.
- Quick and safe, perfect for inside/outside pets of all ages
- Heats up in minutes in a microwave and lasts for up to 10 hours
- No wires or scalding water
- Bite and scratch resistant
Size: 21cm in diameter, 2.5cm thick rigid plastic disc.
4CYTE Epiitalis Forte Gel for Cats
4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte for Cats is a premium daily feed supplement to protect, maintain and promote healthy joints. It is a daily feed supplement which is powered by Interpath’s exclusive active ingredient Epiitalis®.
About 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte for Cats
- Simple, non-invasive, easy administration – no tableting cats!
- Addresses symptoms of stiffness and lack of willingness to run, jump and play
- Small, cost effective, once-daily dosing
- Safe for long term use
Ideal Applications for 4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte for Cats
- Acute care pre/post orthopaedic surgery
- As a complement to prescription joint pain treatments
- Breeds predisposed to osteoarthritis
- Cats where NSAID use is contraindicated
4CYTE is ideal for Cats presenting with initial osteoarthritis symptoms, such as:
- Reduced mobility
- Reduced activity
- Altered grooming
- Temperament changes
Supporting your older cats' mobility with their diet and supplements
To ensure your senior cat's overall health and well-being, you can provide them with specially formulated foods containing ingredients that aid in age-related conditions.
Diets for mobility support
As cats age, their eating habits may change, which could be a sign of a health issue or simply indicate that they are becoming more selective about their food.
For cats diagnosed with loss of mobility, we recommend trusted brands like Hill's and Royal Canin, which have various formulations for mobility and age-related issues. Learn more about the best senior cat food.
Diets for weight support
Cats that maintain a healthy weight are likely to live longer, happy lives. Helping your cat lose a few pounds is achievable with vet-approved restricted-calorie food formulations. We recommend chatting with your vet to ensure you have the best and safest weight loss diet strategies.
View our range of vet-recommended senior cat diets
Hill's Science Diet Senior Cat 11+ Dry Food
Hill's Science Diet Feline Senior Adult 11+ dry cat food provides precisely balanced, easy-to-digest nutrition to fight 4 important signs of ageing in as little as 30 days. Recommended for senior cats ages 11 and older.
- Defends the body and brain against ageing
- Nutrition to improve skin and coat
- Supports long-term heart and vital organ health
- Real chicken #1 with natural ingredients and no chicken by-product meal
Royal Canin Expert Mature Consult Dry Cat Food
Royal Canin Mature Consult Feline is recommended for mature cats over 7 years old without obvious ageing signs, ideally after a senior health check.
This formula includes a selection of nutrients that help support vitality. It contains selected proteins with branched chain amino acids, and a moderate phosphorus level helps to support kidney
function.Enriched with a blend of antioxidants to neutralise free radicals. Contains an adapted energy content to meet the needs of
active mature cats.
Vitality Complex
This formula includes a selection of nutrients that help support vitality. It contains selected proteins with branched chain amino acids, and a moderate phosphorus level helps to support kidney function.
Antioxidant Complex
Enriched with a blend of antioxidants to help neutralise free radicals.
Optimal Energy
Adapted energy content to meet the needs of active mature cats.
SO Index
This diet is formulated to promote a healthy urinary environment via an adapted mineral balance.
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d + Mobility Adult Cat Dry Food
Hill's Prescription Diet k/d + j/d is clinical nutrition to help protect vital kidney function and increase mobility in cats. Formulated with ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense, a proprietary blend of prebiotics shown to activate the gut microbiome to help protect kidney function.
It’s made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust, and was developed by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians. This cat food contains nutrition to improve cats' ability to run, climb and jump in as little as 28 days. It also includes clinically proven antioxidants and supports natural ability to build lean muscle. Please consult your veterinarian for further information on how Prescription Diet foods can help your cat continue to enjoy a happy and active life.
- Formulated with ActivBiome+ Kidney Defense, a proprietary blend of prebiotics shown to activate the gut microbiome to help protect kidney function
- Reduced phosphorus & sodium, with high-quality protein to help protect vital kidney function
- Developed with Enhanced Appetite Trigger (E.A.T), which is clinically tested to stimulate appetite & increase food intake
- Nutrition formulated to improve ability to run, climb and jump in as little as 28 days
- Supports natural ability to build and maintain muscle mass with high level of essential amino acids and L-carnitine
- Consult with your vet to make sure Prescription Diet k/d + j/d is the right food for your cat
What about dietary supplements?
If you are already feeding your ageing cat a nutritionally balanced diet, then additional supplements are often unnecessary. However, certain health conditions may require target nutrients for joint support.
Some senior cat supplements we love are listed here:
4CYTE Epiitalis Forte Cats is a natural daily supplement that supports cats experiencing reduced mobility. It's vet-endorsed and safe to use long-term, and you only need to administer it once daily. Even the fussiest cat loves the taste of this formula, meaning there will be no issues giving it to them, and they will be back to their active selves again in no time.
SeaFlex for Cats is a tasty treat and a bio-marine supplement rich in antioxidants, marine carotenoids, amino acids, marine trace minerals, and branch-chain fatty acids. SeaFlex aids in joint function and coat condition and helps keep cats active.
PAW Osteosupport Joint Care Powder For Cats is a targeted joint health support supplement containing the natural green-lipped mussel — an anti-inflammatory and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Browse all our vet-recommended senior cat mobility supplements here.
Conclusion
When we welcome a cat into the family, we take on a long-term responsibility. As our cats age, we must give them the support they need to thrive in their later years. By watching for the first signs and symptoms of mobility problems and having regular check-ups with your vet, you ensure your cat gets everything it needs to be as comfortable and pain-free as it gets older.
