1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950(831) 318-0306

For pet owners

Cat Osteoarthritis (OA) Pain Checklist

Is your cat hurting?

Is your cat having difficulty with the activities below?

It could be a sign of cat OA—a serious condition that affects the joints.*

Six illustrations of a cat jumping up onto a table, jumping down from a chair, climbing up stairs, climbing down stairs, chasing a ball, and running
  • Jumping up

    Hesitates before jumping up, doesn’t clear jumps in one leap, and/or uses arms to pull the legs up.

  • Jumping down

    Hesitates before jumping down, makes smaller jumps vs. one big one, and/or reaches down towards the ground instead of leaping.

  • Climbing up stairs

    Uses a ‘bunny-hop’, with both back legs hopping at the same time, and/or stops for a break.

  • Climbing down stairs

    Angles body to the side, descends one stair at a time, and/or stops for a break.

  • Chasing moving objects

    Slows down or takes breaks during play and/or may have a thinner frame near the tail.

  • Running

    Moves at a slower speed and alternates between jogging and walking, and/or back feet angle together.

Next step

Share your results with us

If you think your cat may be showing signs of OA-related pain, fill out the full Cat OA Pain Checklist and share your results with us.

*Based on the Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Checklist (MiPSC). ©2019 North Carolina State University. All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2022 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved.

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