My cat is having trouble jumping onto the bed

Mittens has been acting strange lately. She used to jump right up onto my bed every night, but now she just stares at the mattress and then walks away to sleep on the floor. I know she has arthritis, but I thought we were managing it okay with the vet's help. Is this a sign that her pain is getting worse, or is she just being stubborn? I miss her sleeping with me so much. :(

Oh Donna, I am so sorry to hear that. It is really hard when our seniors start changing their routines. Since Mittens is 12, this could definitely be the arthritis flaring up, but it is also worth checking if she is having any urinary issues. I remember reading in Sudden Litter Box Avoidance in Seniors that sometimes cats stop climbing to the litter box or bed if they are in pain from their bladder. If she is not drinking as much or seems to be straining, please call the vet today to rule that out. If her bladder is fine, then it is likely just the joints.

My Coco is 14 and has hip issues too! She stopped jumping on the couch months ago and I was so worried. In the end, it was just that the angle was too steep for her. I tried a ramp first, but she hated it. We finally got a two-step ladder and she loves it! You can read about what we tried in Ramp vs Step Ladder for Arthritic Cats. Maybe Mittens needs a different height? Also, make sure her joints are warmed up. Cold floors can make it worse.

It is hard to know for sure without a physical exam, but I have noticed that Lulu, my 7-year-old DSH, often yawns more when she is in pain. It is a very subtle sign. I wrote about it in Subtle Signs of Pain in Senior Cats. If Mittens is not jumping, it might be because the effort outweighs the comfort of the bed. Have you tried putting a soft blanket on the floor near her favorite spot? Sometimes they just want to be near you, not on top of you.

My Biscuit is only 6 but he is heavy, and he stopped jumping on the high shelf last month. We just moved his food bowl to a lower spot. I think for Mittens, it might be about the food. If she is hungry, she will try harder to get up. Have you tried putting some of her food on the bed to lure her up? Or maybe a treat? Also, check if the bed is too bouncy. Solid surfaces are better for arthritic joints.