My cat is hiding, slow, and won't move. Could it be arthritis?

From your description, arthritis is quite possible. It is often under-diagnosed in cats because they are really good at hiding signs of pain. I would recommend that you have Jinx checked out by the vet and have x-rays done to check for this possibility. If they suspect arthritis, they can discuss supplements or medication to help her be more comfortable.

Many cats show signs of osteoarthritis on radiographs as seniors even when they don't seem to be obviously painful. Since this is a recent change I'd recommend seeing your vet for a physical exam. If they agree that your cat may have arthritis they might recommend a joint supplement like Dasuquin or a trial of pain medication to see if it helps with mobility.

it sounds like your kitty may be in pain. This could be from an injury, or arthritis. I suggest you take Felix to your veterinarian for an exam and possibly x-rays. If he has arthritis pain, your vet will likely prescribe meloxicam for him, which is an NASAID which reduces inflammation and pain.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am very suspicious of arthritis is Sassy based on what you describe. Arthritis is not unexpected - but also not "normal". I do recommend treatment to give her the best quality life she can have. See your vet to help rule out something more nefarious (because cancer and other things also can cause problems in older cats). Then have a discussion about safe medications and supplements for cats. Some of my favorites are adequan, duralactin, and gabapentin. Best of luck to you and Sassy!

Poor guy. His symptoms indicate he may have severe arthritis or an underlying organ malfunction. It is best to get him examined by your vet to determine which is likely. For older cats, bloodwork analysis on a yearly basis is key to checking on their health and determining if they need management for any underlying disease processes. Also, if he does have arthritis, which can be detected on an x-ray, he can be managed medically with joint supplements and pain medication. I hope that your pet Loco gets well soon! Best wishes and take care.

I'm sorry to hear that Jinx seems painful and has been sleeping more than normal. It is possible that all of his signs are related to arthritis, but sleeping more could be due to underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, among others. To answer your question, yes, you should take Jinx to the vet for further evaluation. He will certainly need a physical exam and may also need some lab testing to assess his internal organ function. I hope that all goes well!

He may be in pain from arthritis and therefore prefers not to move much. Old cats sleep a lot as well. You may want to take him to a feline veterinarian and ask about arthritis in cats, and have him checked for it. A feline vet will be more likely to prescribe a particular NSAID (off-label) for your cat if there is pain than a "regular" vet.