Research overview: managing osteoarthritis and mobility in ageing captive cats

Degenerative joint disease is extremely common in older cats, both domestic and exotic, yet often under-recognised because cats mask pain. This overview surveys how osteoarthritis is detected and managed in captive felids: behavioural and gait signs of pain, imaging and the limits of clinical examination in big cats, and multimodal management combining analgesia, weight control, environmental modification and physical therapy. It discusses enclosure adaptations such as gentle ramps, lowered platforms, non-slip and cushioned substrates and warmth, and how cooperative-care training allows ongoing assessment and treatment. It draws on the substantial domestic-cat arthritis literature to inform big-cat practice. The synthesis frames mobility management as a high-impact, often overlooked component of geriatric felid welfare.