7 quiet signs your cat may be stiffer than you think

Spryte makes a joint-support supplement for cats and dogs. This article is written by our team, not by a veterinarian. It's meant to help you notice changes – your vet is the one who can tell you what they mean.

If you share your home with an older cat, you probably know her routine better than your own: where she naps at 3 p.m., which windowsill she claims at sunset, the exact second she hears the can opener.

That's good news, because when cats get older, the routine is often where change shows up first.

Here's why. Joint changes are common in older cats. In a study of 100 cats over 12 years old, X-rays showed degenerative joint changes in 90% of them (Hardie et al., JAVMA 2002). A second study of 100 cats aged 6 and older found changes in at least one joint in 61% of the cats, with age as a factor (Slingerland et al., Vet J 2011).

But cats are not dogs. Most cats don't show a clear limp, and the changes tend to come on gradually – so owners often put them down to "just getting older" (Bennett et al., J Feline Med Surg 2012). Instead of limping, cats adjust. Quietly.

These are the seven changes worth watching for.

01She skips the jump

The bed, the kitchen counter, the top of the cat tree: places she used to reach in one smooth leap. Now she looks up, thinks about it – and lies down on the floor instead. Difficulty jumping is one of the signs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists for owners to watch (U.S. FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine).

02She's found a new route

Some cats don't stop jumping – they just break it into smaller steps. Chair, then footstool, then sofa. A cat who climbs where she used to leap is still telling you something.

03She pauses at the stairs

Watch the top of the staircase. Does she hesitate before going down, or take the steps one at a time? Researchers even included two questions about stairs in a short owner checklist developed to screen for joint-related discomfort in cats (Enomoto et al., J Feline Med Surg 2020).

04Litter box near-misses

A paw that lands outside, or an accident just next to the box. High-sided litter boxes can become harder to step into. In the 2011 study, joint changes were associated with more inappropriate elimination (Slingerland et al., Vet J 2011). Litter box changes can have many causes, though, including some that need prompt attention – so this one is always worth a call to your vet.

05Her coat looks a little less cared for

Cats are devoted groomers. When twisting to reach the lower back and hips gets harder, those areas can start to look scruffy or matted. Researchers list reduced grooming among the behavior changes linked to joint changes in cats (Slingerland 2011; Bennett 2012), and the FDA lists decreased grooming as well.

06More sleep, less play

Every senior cat naps. But if the zoomies have stopped completely, the feather toy gets a polite glance instead of a pounce, and she spends most of the day in one spot, it's worth noting. Changes in activity level are one of the things researchers ask owners about (Bennett et al., 2012).

07You've caught yourself saying "she's just getting older"

This one is easy to miss – because it's about us, not her. Because the changes happen slowly, it's easy to file them under age. Age is real. But "older" and "uncomfortable" aren't the same thing, and your vet can help you tell the difference.

What to do if you recognize your cat

Start with your vet. Write down what you've noticed – even better, take a short video of her jumping, using the stairs or stepping into the litter box, since cats often behave differently at the clinic. Your vet can examine her, check what's behind the changes and talk you through options. Only a veterinarian can diagnose joint problems, and some of the signs above can also point to other health issues.

Make home a little easier. Small changes help many older cats: a step or ramp up to her favorite spot, a litter box with one low side, food and water on the floor she spends most time on, and a soft, warm bed in a place she doesn't have to climb to.

Think about everyday support. Once your vet has had a look, ask whether a daily joint supplement makes sense for your cat. That's where we come in.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The studies cited describe joint changes in cats in general; they did not study Spryte.