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The short answer: arthritis in cats can't be cured, but it can be managed well enough that most cats get back to jumping, grooming and using the litter box comfortably. The plan has three layers. Change the home — ramps and steps to favourite spots, a low-sided litter box, a warm bed, food and water on the ground floor. Control the pain — Solensia (frunevetmab), a monthly injection, is the first FDA-approved treatment for arthritis pain in cats, and vets also use other medicines carefully, case by case. Support the joints — weight loss if needed, gentle play and possibly omega-3 fatty acids. Arthritis is extremely common in older cats and badly under-recognised, because cats hide it. Because we make hemp for pets, this page also tells you plainly what is and isn't known about hemp for cats — and it is less than for dogs.
Written by Marc Brannigan, Co-Founder & CEO of HempMy Pet. Last updated 11 November 2026.
How Common Is It?
Much more common than most owners realise. In studies cited in the FDA approval of Solensia, osteoarthritis was detected in 60% of cats older than six and 90% of cats older than twelve. Cats rarely limp; instead they jump less, use lower perches, groom less, miss the litter box or seem grumpier when handled. If you're not sure whether your cat has it, start with our guide to the signs of arthritis in cats, then book a vet visit.
An old cat who has stopped jumping hasn't slowed down. It is sore.
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Layer One: Change the Home
Cheap, immediate, and often the biggest change you'll see.
- Ramps and steps to the bed, sofa, window seat and cat tree. Most arthritic cats still want to be up high; make it possible without the jump.
- A low-sided litter box — or a storage tray with one side cut down — and an extra box on each floor. Missing the box is often a sign the sides hurt to climb.
- Food, water and litter on the same floor as where your cat spends its time, so it doesn't have to manage stairs to eat or toilet.
- Warm, padded beds, including a low heated pad in a quiet spot. Stiff joints like warmth.
- Non-slip surfaces where your cat lands or walks often.
- Help with grooming and nails. Arthritic cats can't reach their backs and hips and often don't wear their nails down, which can lead to matted fur and overgrown claws.
- Gentle daily play with a wand toy at floor level keeps muscles working without impact.
Layer Two: Control the Pain
Pain relief is the part that needs your vet, and options for cats have improved.
| Option | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Solensia (frunevetmab) | A monthly injection given at the clinic. A cat-specific antibody that blocks nerve growth factor, a key driver of arthritis pain. | Approved by the FDA in January 2022 as the first treatment for arthritis pain in cats. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhoea, injection-site pain, and itching or scabbing on the head and neck. In the company's 3-month study, 77% of owners saw improvement on Solensia — and 67% did on placebo, which shows how strong the placebo effect is in owner reports. |
| NSAIDs (meloxicam, robenacoxib) | Anti-inflammatory pain relief. | Both are FDA-approved for cats, but in the US only for short-term use. Longer-term use is a careful, off-label decision your vet weighs against kidney health, with bloodwork. Never give a cat human painkillers — acetaminophen (Tylenol) is deadly to cats, and ibuprofen and naproxen are dangerous. |
| Gabapentin | A nerve-pain medicine used off-label. | Widely used in cats for chronic pain and for calming before vet visits. Doses need adjusting in kidney disease — see our gabapentin for cats guide. |
| Other off-label options | Amantadine, buprenorphine, tramadol and others. | Used case by case, usually alongside other treatments. |
| Physical rehabilitation | Laser therapy, targeted exercise, massage. | Available at many rehabilitation practices; useful as an add-on. |
Layer Three: Support the Joints
- Weight. Extra weight loads sore joints and makes arthritic cats less active, which leads to more weight gain. A slow, vet-guided weight loss plan is one of the most useful things you can do. Never put a cat on a crash diet — sudden calorie restriction can cause fatty liver.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish-oil omega-3s have some supportive evidence for joint comfort and are often included in joint diets for cats. Ask your vet about dose — more is not better.
- Joint diets and supplements. Prescription mobility diets combine omega-3s with other nutrients. Glucosamine and chondroitin are widely used but the evidence in cats is limited. Only use cat-specific products.
- Gentle activity. Short daily play sessions keep muscle on and joints moving.
Where Hemp Fits — and Where It Doesn't
We make hemp for cats. Here is the honest picture, which is thinner than the dog evidence.
In dogs, five osteoarthritis trials have been published and four were positive, including our own 90-day university study. In cats, we are not aware of a published, placebo-controlled trial showing that CBD relieves arthritis pain. We do not apply our dog results to cats.
Cats absorb and clear cannabinoids differently from dogs, and the one placebo-controlled cat stress study found no measurable effect from a single dose. Read cats process hemp differently before using any product.
Some owners add a low-dose hemp oil to a plan that already includes home changes and proper pain control. That is a reasonable, low-risk thing to discuss with your vet — not a replacement for Solensia or other pain relief, and not a proven treatment.
If you use it: choose a low-strength product made for small animals, start at the bottom of the serving guide, and read is CBD safe for cats and CBD dosage for cats. Tell your vet, especially if your cat is on gabapentin, an NSAID or anything for the kidneys or thyroid, and never use a product with essential oils or THC.
If you and your vet decide to add hemp, start low
250mg Hemp Seed OilDropper · cats and small dogs$49
100mg Hemp Coconut OilOur gentlest strength$39
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Questions to Ask Your Vet
- Is Solensia right for my cat, and how will we judge whether it is working?
- Does my cat's kidney function allow an NSAID, and how often should we check bloodwork?
- Would gabapentin help, and does the dose need adjusting for the kidneys?
- Is my cat at a healthy weight, and what is a safe rate of loss?
- Would a joint diet or omega-3 supplement suit my cat?
- Are there rehabilitation options near us?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thing for cats with arthritis?
The best results come from combining things: changes at home (ramps, low-sided litter boxes, warm beds, everything on one floor), proper pain control from your vet — Solensia is the first FDA-approved option for cat arthritis pain — and weight management. Supplements such as omega-3s can be added. No single product does the job on its own.
How long do cats live with arthritis?
Arthritis itself doesn't usually shorten a cat's life, and many arthritic cats live into their late teens. What matters is quality of life: a cat whose pain is managed and whose home is adapted can stay active and comfortable for years. Untreated pain, on the other hand, can lead to weight gain, matting, litter box problems and withdrawal.
How do you tell if your cat has arthritis?
Cats rarely limp. Look for jumping less or hesitating before jumping, using lower perches, going up and down stairs one step at a time, grooming less (especially the back and hips), missing the litter box, overgrown claws, sleeping more, and being grumpy when picked up or stroked over the hips. Our signs of arthritis in cats guide has the full list.
Can arthritis in cats go away?
No. Arthritis is a long-term, slowly progressive joint change. But the pain can be controlled well, and many cats become noticeably more active once it is — jumping again, grooming better and using the litter box reliably.
What can I give my cat for arthritis pain at home?
Nothing from your own medicine cabinet. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is deadly to cats, and ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin are dangerous. Safe pain relief for cats comes from your vet. At home, what you can give is comfort: ramps, warmth, a low-sided litter box, help with grooming and a healthy weight.
Does Solensia work?
It was approved by the FDA based on studies showing it reduced signs of arthritis pain, and many owners see a clear difference. It is worth knowing that in the company's own 3-month study, 77% of owners saw improvement on Solensia but 67% saw improvement on placebo — owner reports in cats are strongly affected by expectation. Ask your vet how to judge your cat's response, such as tracking jumping and litter box use.
Are joint supplements worth it for cats?
Fish-oil omega-3s have the best supportive evidence and are part of many prescription mobility diets. Evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin in cats is limited. Supplements work best as an add-on to pain control and home changes, not instead of them. Use only cat-specific products and ask your vet about dose.
Does CBD help cats with arthritis?
The evidence isn't there yet. Dog trials for arthritis have been mostly positive, but we are not aware of a published placebo-controlled trial in cats, and cats process cannabinoids differently. Some owners add a low-dose hemp oil to a vet-guided plan; it should not replace proper pain relief.
The Short Version
Arthritis affects most older cats and they hide it. Treat it in three layers: change the home first, get proper pain control from your vet — Solensia is the first approved option — and manage weight, with omega-3s as a possible add-on. Never use human painkillers.
The hemp evidence for cats is thin, and we say so. If you add it, keep it low-dose and part of a plan your vet knows about.
Signs of Arthritis in Cats →Shop Hemp for Cats
Signs of Arthritis in Cats · Gabapentin for Cats · Cat Over-Grooming · When Is a Cat a Senior? · Is CBD Safe for Cats?
Marc co-founded HempMy Pet in 2016 with his business partner Natalie Mondine, the company's COO. HempMy Pet breeds its own hemp genetics, grows them on its own Colorado farm, and formulates every batch in-house under human-grade standards — seed to sale, nothing sourced overseas. Every batch is third-party tested and the certificates of analysis are published. More about us.
HempMy Pet ran its own 90-day study of 37 dogs with chronic joint discomfort. Of the 32 that completed it, 30 (93%) showed a benefit, and 94% of owners reported their dog's quality of life had improved. It was overseen by Dr. Robin Downing, DVM, MS of the Downing Center for Animal Pain Management, with Lori Kogan, Ph.D. and Peter W. Hellyer, DVM of Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and published in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. That trial was in dogs; we do not apply its results to cats. Read the methodology.
Why Dr. Downing: in 2005 she became only the third veterinarian in the world credentialed as a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management. She founded the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, is a Diplomate of the ACVSMR, a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner and a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, and was the AVMA's 2020 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year. Read the published paper (PDF).
This article is general information for cat owners, not veterinary advice. It is reviewed and updated as new peer-reviewed evidence is published, and where the evidence is thin or negative we say so.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your cat is unwell, contact your veterinarian.
