Feline osteoarthritis (OA) is far more common than most cat owners — and many veterinarians — realize. Studies have found radiographic evidence of OA in 61% of cats over age 6 and up to 90% of cats over age 12. Yet it remains dramatically underdiagnosed, because cats mask pain as a survival behavior. A cat that has stopped jumping onto the counter, sleeps more, grooms less carefully, or starts soiling outside the litter box may be showing arthritis pain — not just "getting old."

This article covers the treatment options available for feline OA in 2026, how they fit together in a multimodal plan, and what to ask your veterinarian at each decision point.

Why cat OA is harder to treat than dog OA

Dogs limp. Dogs vocalize. Dogs show you which leg hurts. Cats do none of these things. Feline OA pain manifests as behavioral change — reduced activity, decreased grooming, reluctance to use stairs, hiding, irritability, or house-soiling. These signs are easy to attribute to aging, kidney disease, or litter-box aversion, which delays diagnosis and treatment.

Compounding the challenge: cats metabolize many drugs differently than dogs. Their livers process certain medications more slowly, their kidneys are more vulnerable to NSAID toxicity, and several pain medications commonly used in dogs are toxic to cats. Until recently, the FDA had not approved any medication specifically for long-term OA pain control in cats.

That changed with Solensia. But Solensia is one piece of a larger multimodal approach — not a standalone solution.

Treatment option overview

Feline OA is not curable. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain, maintain mobility, and preserve quality of life. Most veterinary guidelines recommend combining multiple treatment modalities rather than relying on a single drug.

The sections below cover each option in detail.

Solensia (frunevetmab)

Solensia, developed by Zoetis, is the first and only FDA-approved medication specifically for the control of osteoarthritis pain in cats. It received FDA approval in January 2022 and is also the first monoclonal antibody approved for any animal species.

How it works. Frunevetmab is a felinized monoclonal antibody — a protein designed to bind to nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein elevated in arthritic joints that amplifies pain signaling. By neutralizing NGF, Solensia reduces chronic OA pain without affecting the liver or kidneys the way systemic medications can. Because it is a protein rather than a chemical drug, it is eliminated through normal protein degradation pathways.

Administration. Solensia is given as a subcutaneous injection once every four weeks, in the veterinary clinic. It is not available for home use. The dose is based on the cat's weight. Your veterinarian assesses pain and monitors response at each visit.

Onset and expectations. Some cats show improvement within the first week. The manufacturer notes that full effect may take two doses. Solensia controls pain but does not stop arthritis progression or reverse joint damage. It is best used as part of a multimodal plan that includes weight management and environmental support.

Safety. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were mild and included vomiting, diarrhea, and injection-site reactions (scabbing, itching). Solensia should not be given to cats with known allergy to frunevetmab.

Cats with kidney disease. Because Solensia is not metabolized by the kidneys, it is a particularly relevant option for the many older arthritic cats that also have chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a population in which NSAID use is limited.

Limitations. Solensia requires a monthly clinic visit, which can be stressful for cats and owners. Cost varies by practice but is typically in the range of $50–100 per injection. It does not address joint damage or inflammation directly — only the pain signal.

NSAIDs: meloxicam and robenacoxib

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce both inflammation and pain. Two NSAIDs are commonly used in cats:

• Meloxicam (Metacam, Meloxidyl, Loxicom): The most widely used NSAID in feline practice globally. In the United States, meloxicam is labeled only for single-dose postoperative use in cats, though veterinarians commonly prescribe it off-label for longer-term OA management at reduced doses.
• Robenacoxib (Onsior): Approved for short-term postoperative pain control in cats. Its use for chronic OA is off-label.

The central problem with NSAIDs in cats. Cats are more sensitive to NSAID toxicity than dogs or humans. Long-term NSAID use can cause gastrointestinal ulceration, kidney injury, and liver damage. This does not mean NSAIDs cannot be used — but it means they must be used cautiously, at the lowest effective dose, with regular bloodwork monitoring (typically every 6 months), and with clear discussion of the risk-benefit balance.

When NSAIDs fit. NSAIDs may be appropriate for short-term flare-ups, as a bridge while waiting for Solensia to take effect, or in cats that cannot receive Solensia and have normal kidney and liver values. They are generally not the first choice for long-term OA pain management in cats when Solensia is available.

NSAIDs must never be combined with corticosteroids. This combination can cause severe gastrointestinal ulceration.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic that targets neuropathic pain — the nerve-mediated component of chronic OA discomfort. It is not an anti-inflammatory.

How it fits. Gabapentin is commonly prescribed alongside Solensia or NSAIDs as part of a multimodal plan. It is particularly useful for older cats that cannot tolerate NSAIDs. Sedation is the most common side effect, and the dose is typically titrated upward gradually to minimize drowsiness.

Practical notes. Gabapentin should not be stopped abruptly after long-term use, as rebound pain can occur. It is available as a capsule, tablet, or flavored liquid. Many veterinarians also use gabapentin as a pre-visit calming medication for anxious cats.

Amantadine

Amantadine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that modulates central pain sensitization — the "wind-up" phenomenon that makes chronic pain progressively harder to control. It is used as an adjunctive medication, typically combined with an NSAID or gabapentin, when pain is not adequately controlled by other agents alone.

Evidence for amantadine in cats is primarily extrapolated from canine and human data, but clinical experience supports its use as part of a multimodal approach.

Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan)

Adequan is an injectable chondroprotective agent approved for use in dogs. Its use in cats is off-label, but many veterinarians prescribe it based on clinical experience.

How it works. Adequan inhibits enzymes that break down joint cartilage and increases the quality and quantity of joint fluid. The typical protocol involves a loading phase (twice-weekly injections for 4 weeks) followed by maintenance injections every 3–4 weeks.

Administration. Adequan can be given by subcutaneous injection, which means some owners can be trained to administer it at home. The loading phase requires more frequent injections, which are sometimes done in the clinic.

Evidence. Published evidence for Adequan specifically in cats is limited, and the product is not FDA-approved for feline use. Veterinarians who recommend it typically do so based on clinical response and the drug's safety profile in dogs, adjusted for feline dosing.

Weight management

Weight management is arguably the single most impactful intervention for any arthritic cat — and the one most often overlooked. Carrying excess weight increases mechanical stress on already-damaged joints, accelerates cartilage breakdown, and reduces the effectiveness of every other treatment.

Your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic weight-management diet with a specific calorie target, measured feeding (not free-feeding), and gradual weight loss of 1–2% of body weight per month. Rapid weight loss in cats can cause hepatic lipidosis, a potentially serious liver condition, so weight loss should always be supervised by a veterinarian.

Even a 10–15% reduction in body weight can produce meaningful improvement in mobility and comfort.

Environmental modification

Modifying the cat's environment to reduce the physical demands of daily life is a low-cost, high-impact part of any OA management plan:

• Ramps or steps to favorite elevated surfaces (beds, cat trees, window perches)
• Low-entry litter boxes that do not require jumping over a high rim
• Heated bedding to reduce joint stiffness
• Food and water bowls at a comfortable height, on the same floor the cat lives on
• Non-slip surfaces on hardwood or tile floors
• Gentle, predictable handling — arthritic cats are often in pain even if they do not show it

These changes do not replace medication, but they make every step and jump less painful.

Physical modalities

• Laser therapy (class IV therapeutic laser): May reduce pain and inflammation. A typical protocol involves frequent treatments initially (2–3 times per week) tapering to monthly maintenance. Each session takes a few minutes.
• Acupuncture: Some veterinarians report clinical improvement in arthritic cats; controlled studies in cats are limited.
• Hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill): Improves range of motion and strength with reduced joint impact. Requires a facility equipped for feline rehabilitation, which is not widely available.

Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil): Have the strongest evidence among supplements for reducing inflammation in arthritic joints. Your veterinarian can recommend a dose and product.

Glucosamine and chondroitin: Widely marketed for joint health in pets, but studies specifically in cats do not support their effectiveness. Several veterinary sources now recommend against relying on glucosamine/chondroitin as a primary therapy for feline OA. If you are already giving these supplements, they are unlikely to cause harm — but they should not replace proven treatments like Solensia, weight management, or prescription pain medication.

CBD: Not FDA-approved for use in animals. Evidence is preliminary, quality control of commercial products is inconsistent, and drug interactions are poorly characterized. Discuss with your veterinarian before using.

Putting it together: what a multimodal plan looks like

A realistic multimodal OA management plan for a typical 12-year-old arthritic cat might include:

1. Solensia injection every 4 weeks for pain control
2. Weight management with a therapeutic diet and calorie target if the cat is overweight
3. Environmental modifications — low-entry litter box, ramps, heated bed
4. Gabapentin at a low dose if additional pain control is needed beyond Solensia
5. Adequan injections if the veterinarian considers it appropriate for joint support
6. Recheck visits every 3–6 months to assess response, adjust the plan, and monitor bloodwork

The specific combination depends on the cat's age, kidney function, other medical conditions, pain severity, owner logistics, and budget. The right plan is the one your cat actually tolerates and your family can sustain.

When to seek urgent care

Arthritis is a chronic, slowly progressive condition. However, some changes warrant prompt veterinary attention rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit:

• Sudden inability to walk or bear weight on a limb — may indicate a joint injury or other acute problem, not just OA flare
• Rapid breathing or open-mouth breathing — could indicate congestive heart failure or other cardiac disease, especially in older cats
• Complete loss of appetite lasting more than 24 hours — cats that stop eating are at risk for hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition
• Vomiting or diarrhea after starting a new medication — may indicate an adverse drug reaction
• Sudden behavioral change (hiding, aggression, crying) — may indicate acute pain from a different cause

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian promptly or visit an emergency veterinary clinic.

What to ask your veterinarian

• "Is my cat's reduced activity, grooming change, or litter-box issue consistent with arthritis — or could something else be causing it?"
• "Should we do bloodwork and a urine test before starting pain medication, to check kidney and liver function?"
• "Is Solensia appropriate for my cat, given their other health conditions?"
• "If we use an NSAID, what monitoring schedule do you recommend?"
• "What is my cat's ideal body weight, and how quickly should we aim to lose weight?"
• "What environmental changes would help the most at home?"
• "How will we know if the treatment plan is working — what should I watch for?"

Sources

• Zoetis Solensia (frunevetmab) prescribing information: https://www.zoetisus.com/products/cats/solensia
• FDA approval of Solensia for feline OA pain: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-approves-frunevetmab-injection-control-pain-associated-osteoarthritis-cats
• GoodRx — 9 treatments for arthritis in cats: https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/cat/arthritis-treatment
• PetMD — Solensia for cats: https://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/solensia-for-cats
• VCA Animal Hospitals — Arthritis in cats: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/arthritis-in-cats
• Today's Veterinary Practice — Diagnosis and management of feline osteoarthritis: https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/orthopedics/diagnosis-and-management-of-feline-osteoarthritis
• Cat Arthritis Care — Pain relief for cats with arthritis: https://www.catarthritiscare.org/pain-relief-for-cats-with-arthritis
• PMC — Safety assessment of frunevetmab for osteoarthritis pain in cats: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12893208
• PMC — Osteoarthritis in the cat: how should it be managed and treated: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11148914