The hidden pain affecting millions of Australian cats this International Cat Day (8 August 2026)

This International Cat Day (8 August), vets are urging Australians to look beyond the ‘independent cat’ stereotype and recognise the subtle signs that their cat may be living with osteoarthritis pain.

There is a hidden pain epidemic among Aussie cats. These subtle, easy-to-miss signs need to be brought into the spotlight to support our pets’ quality of life.

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 40% of cats, ² yet cats are highly skilled at masking discomfort. Changes such as slowing down, sleeping more or hesitating before jumping may be dismissed as “normal ageing”, potentially delaying diagnosis and support.

• A common condition hiding in plain sight: More than half (51%) of Australian cat owners don’t know cats can suffer from osteoarthritis¹, despite the condition affecting an estimated 40% of all cats² and 60% of cats aged over six.³
• Cats are experts at masking pain: Vets report diagnosing osteoarthritis in just 17% of feline patients⁴ – about a third lower than the diagnosis rate in dogs⁵ – because cats rarely show obvious signs like limping.
• “Normal ageing” may be a warning sign: One in four (25%) cat owners believe slowing down, sleeping more or hesitating before jumping is simply a part of ‘normal ageing’ of their cat, rather than a potential sign of joint pain.¹
• Missed vet visits cost cats with delayed diagnosis: One in five cat owners (966,000 Australians) only visit the vet when they feel something is clearly wrong. Routine check-ups are lowest among owners of middle-aged cats (6–12 years) despite this being an important window for early diagnosis of osteoarthritis.^1,6

Story opportunities

• Interviews, photo and filming opportunities with vet experts – including feline medicine specialist Dr Carolyn O’Brien (Melbourne Cat Vets), and vets across NSW, VIC, WA and QLD.
• Interviews with Australian cat owners who can share their experience of recognising and managing osteoarthritis in their cat.
• Access to the free online Cat Arthritis Assessment, a simple quiz that helps cat owners check their cat’s joint health and discuss the results with their vet.