Is my 12yo just getting old or is it arthritis? He's so stiff lately.

He used to be so active but now he just sits by the window and sighs, and his back legs seem weak when he jumps on the couch.

Is this just old age or arthritis? I feel like I missed the early signs.

Check his coat on the hind legs. If he can't groom properly, that's a big sign. I saw this in grooming help for cats who can't reach their backs.

Also, is he using the litter box? Sometimes pain makes them avoid the box if it's high-sided.

@KathyW My mainecoon Rex does the exact same sighing thing. It's stressful because I travel a lot and worry about him when I'm gone.

I think it is arthritis. We had to put down ramps for him because he stopped jumping on the cat tree. See cat refuses to jump on the couch anymore for how we set that up. It made a huge difference in his mood.

Oh honey, the sighing is so sad to see! !

For Chester, who is 7 and getting picky, we had to switch to a warmer bed. Cold makes the joints stiff. I wrote about it in adding warm rugs and soft beds for senior cats. A heated pad really helped him stop shaking his legs in the morning.

Thanks guys. The coat thing is a good point, his back is actually getting matted.

@dharris I was going to try supplements. Did one work for you? I saw trying different joint supplements for my senior cat but the results seemed mixed.

Pepper is only 1 so I don't have advice on arthritis but she is scared of the vacuum and hiding. Is stress making it worse?

I think he needs a checkup. taking my senior cat to the vet twice a year says you should catch things early. I would call the vet today to be safe.