OA is a type of arthritis that happens when protective tissue in the joints is worn down, causing bones to rub against one another.

You may think OA just makes moving harder, but it can also cause severe pain. It can happen to cats at any age, not just older cats.

OA pain is chronic pain that’s always there. It doesn’t go away and can get worse without the right treatment. Chronic pain is different from acute pain, which is pain that lasts a short time and gets better, like that from a cut, scratch, or a pulled muscle.

Without treatment, the pain will continue to get worse. This can affect their quality of life and the antics that make your cat, “your cat.”