My 13-year-old cat struggles to jump. Should I take him to the vet?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that Majo is having these issues. Studies have shown that 95% of cats over the age of 8 have some form of arthritis, and often it is undiagnosed because cats hide their illnesses well. This could be the cause of Majo's inability to jump up. Other causes could be related to being overweight, neurological problems that can include both structural issues in her back, or metabolic conditions such as diabetes. Weakness from other medical conditions can also cause this type of behaviour. What I recommend is a visit to the vet to make sure there is no medical cause that needs to be addressed, and to assess her body condition to see if weight loss is needed. Otherwise, ramps are a great idea to help our furry friends get up on the bed. If arthritis is the issue, you can talk with your vet about different types of food and supplements that will help support joints. Best of luck with Majo!

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.

At his age, he likely has some arthritis. I suggest you get him started on a joint supplement. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=120626 Give it a good 4-6 weeks to see if it helps him. If not, then please post again and we'll see if we can give you some more suggestions.

I strongly recommend a vet visit for Sam with possibly booodwork. Weight loss and weakness is not a normal symptom of old age. His not wanting to eat and weight loss indicates that he has something else going on. In older cats kidney disease, heart disease or metabolic/endocrine diseases can be common. With treatment Once you have an accurate diagnosis as to why Sam isn't feeling well then you can tailor diet and care to make his golden years as comfortable as possible. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry to hear Blackie is not feeling well. I recommend taking her to a vet to determine the source of her pain. She could have pulled a muscle or have an infection somewhere. Once the source of her discomfort is located, a vet can get her medications to help her feel better, including pain medications. Please do not give her anything over the counter until you speak with your veterinarian. Most medications over-the-counter are not safe for cats. Good luck and kisses to Blackie!

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 Shadow! It's possible that he may have injured his back somehow, or he could have pain or stiffness due to arthritis. Some systemic illnesses, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can also cause weakness and difficulty jumping or walking in older cats. It's good that you're planning to talk with your vet in the morning, since it sounds like Shadow really needs to be seen for an exam and some lab work to help determine the problem - most of these problems are very treatable once a diagnosis is made :)