Hip Dysplasia in Cats: Symptoms and Treatment

Feline hip problems are less common compared to dogs, but they’re still important for pet parents to be aware of due to the discomfort they cause cats.  

Hip dysplasia in cats causes stiffness, litter box issues, and reduced activity. With the appropriate diagnosis and treatment, many cats suffering from hip problems can have a good quality of life.  

Let’s look at everything you need to know about this condition, and how to help your pet. 

What Is Hip Dysplasia in Cats?

Hip dysplasia in cats is the abnormal development of the hip joint. Cats with hip dysplasia have poorly aligned hips that are too loose, which leads to pain and discomfort. 

The hip joint is made of a ball and socket. The ball is the round-shaped head of the femur bone in the hip, and the socket is the cup-shaped depression in the cat’s pelvis.  

In cats with hip dysplasia the ball does not sit firmly in the socket, which results in a loose joint. This abnormal hip joint leads to pain and reduced function. 

Click here to download this medical illustration.

Over time, this poor connection leads to early arthritis as the body tries to stabilize the joint and compensate for the abnormality, laying down new bone and bone spurs.  

Hip dysplasia in cats is a degenerative disease, meaning that it worsens over time. Bony remodeling (where the body removes and builds bone) and arthritis worsens, resulting in greater discomfort and impaired mobility. 

Fortunately, hip dysplasia is rarer in cats than in dogs, and many cats with hip dysplasia may never show symptoms. This may occur because cats are better at compensating for hind limb lameness and hiding their pain.  

Because of this, it’s important to be aware of the condition and its symptoms—especially if you have a purebred cat. Some purebreds have a higher risk for hip dysplasia.      

Hip dysplasia is treatable, but it can’t be cured.  

Though the hip joint continues to degenerate over time, it can be managed through lifestyle changes, weight management, medication, and surgery.  

Hip dysplasia is not a medical emergency, but it causes significant pain and discomfort to cats—so prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.  

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Cats

Many pets with hip dysplasia in cats will never show obvious symptoms and may hide their pain well. Signs are often more subtle.  

Common cat hip dysplasia symptoms include: 

• Reluctance to jump to high surfaces 

• Avoiding stairs 

• Hesitance to squat in the litter box 

• Going to the bathroom outside the litter box 

• Excessive chewing/licking at the hip area 

• Avoiding physical activity 

• Changes in temperament, such as becoming agitated, aggressive, or grumpy 

• Lameness or stiff gait (rare) 

Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Cats

Hip dysplasia in cats is an inherited condition, and purebreds have a higher chance of developing it.  

Hip dysplasia is more common in the following breeds: 

• Maine Coon 

• Persian 

• Himalayan 

• Siberian 

While hip dysplasia in cats is typically considered to be caused by genetics, some underlying factors can predispose a cat to develop the condition.  

These factors include: 

• Obesity. Excess weight puts increased force on the hip joint, leading to excessive wear and tear. This can result in degenerative changes accelerating breakdown of the ball and socket. 

• Other orthopedic conditions. This can include knee problems, which leads to increased stress and breakdown of the hip joint. Injuries can also lead to earlier onset of degenerative changes and accelerate the progression of hip dysplasia. 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Hip Dysplasia in Cats

Hip dysplasia in cats is often diagnosed by a combination of a physical exam and X-rays.  

Your veterinarian will want to feel your cat's hips. They will likely maneuver the hips through a range of motions to see if they move normally. During this exam, cats with hip dysplasia will often exhibit something called Ortolani sign, which is an abnormal movement of the hip joint when the ball is too loose and comes out of the socket.  

Sometimes cats can be challenging patients to palpate, especially when they’re in pain. They may be stiff or aggressive when their hips are put through this range of motion.  

Sedation may be needed to facilitate a thorough physical exam of the hips. 

Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Cats

Treatment of hip dysplasia in cats can be challenging. Let’s look at a few of the most common treatments that a vet may recommend.   

Pain Medications and Joint Supplements 

Pet parents should never give their cat any human pain medication—this can be very dangerous.  

Instead, your veterinarian will prescribe medications that are appropriate for cats, like opioid medications like buprenorphine. 

Many veterinarians will recommend supplements to support joint health.  

Cosequin or Dasuquin contain glucosamine and chondroitin to support cartilage health.  

While supplements can’t undo damage in your cat’s hips, they have demonstrated some success at slowing down the progression of degenerative arthritis changes.  

As with prescribed medications, supplements must only be given under the direction of a veterinarian, as some supplements can be harmful.  

Always check with your vet before giving your pet a supplement or medication.  

Weight Management 

Obesity can accelerate the breakdown of the hip joint and cause subsequent pain. 

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important things you can do for your cat to improve their quality of life. 
 
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is usually accomplished through a combination of dieting and exercise with the guidance of your vet. 

Exercise can be very challenging to encourage in cats and may be discouraged if a cat has a debilitating orthopedic disease.  

Your vet may suggest changing your cat’s diet to encourage weight loss, through over-the-counter diets or a veterinary diet, such as Purina Pro Plan OM Overweight Management or Hill's r/d Weight Reduction/Management.  

Monitor your cat’s appetite to ensure they are eating the new diet. 

Surgery 

While surgery for hip dysplasia in cats is uncommon, surgery may be recommended if the condition seriously impairs a cat’s quality of life.  

Two of the more common types include femoral head ostectomy (FHO) and a total hip replacement.  

Both surgeries aim to decrease pain by eliminating the grinding and misalignment (called subluxation) in the joint itself.

Prognosis of Hip Dysplasia in Cats

While hip dysplasia in cats is uncommon, most pets do well with weight management, joint supplements, and pain control.  

With medical management, a cat’s prognosis is good.  

Hip dysplasia in cats often does not dramatically shorten a pet’s life expectancy. 

Prevention of Hip Dysplasia in Cats

Since hip dysplasia in cats is largely inherited, there’s not much that a pet parent can do to prevent it, except: 

• Avoid breeding cats that have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. 

• Keep your cat at a healthy weight to minimize excessive force on their joints and earlier onset of arthritic changes in the hip joints.