The Petcare Factory

Feline Mobility Assessment

Below is a simple assessment that can be used to try and gauge the degree of pain your cat may be suffering due to arthritis or some other similar joint disorder. Please note that this is just a very simplistic form of assessment, and it is always recommended that you seek advice from a veterinarian if you suspect a problem could be developing and your cat is suffering from sustained symptoms of pain. There are many conditions which can lead to pain in these regions. Hence, you must get an accurate diagnosis to implement a suitable, effective treatment plan.

The tool can be used in order to try and gauge the effectiveness of different forms of treatment which are introduced. By conducting regular assessments over time and recording the results, it is possible to observe specific trends related to changes in the scores assigned. For example, suppose the overall score increases after starting a new form of treatment. In that case, this can be an indication that this has had a positive effect on your cat's condition and mobility.

In order to effectively use this assessment tool, you must:

  • Carefully read each question.

  • Please select the box based on how much you agree or disagree with the statement and how it relates to your cat.

  • Select one box for each of the questions.

  • Click the 'Evaluate Responses' button when you have answered each question as accurately as you can.

Mobility Score Indicators

The following number ranges indicate the degree to which your cat may be affected by arthritis, or some other joint disorder:

6 – 7 Very severe arthritic symptoms
  8 – 14 Severe arthritic symptoms
15 – 21 Moderate arthritic symptoms
22 – 28 Mild arthritic symptoms
29 – 30 Probably not affected by arthritis
Feline Mobility Assessment Questions

Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statements. Each response will be assigned an individual score, which collectively will help to give an assessment score which will help to determine the degree of joint pain your cat is experiencing.

Questions Strongly Agree Agree Sometimes Disagree Strongly Disagree Score
Rarely comes to greet people or interact with them

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Is reluctant to jump on and off surfaces, or has a limp

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Spends less time grooming themselves and has a scruffy looking coat

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Rarely purrs or shows signs of contentment

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Is reluctant to play

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Shows a pain reaction when certain areas are touched

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Please choose one option for each of the statements.
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Based on your responses to the survey questions, your cat appears to be showing very severe arthritic symptoms.
Based on your responses to the survey questions, your cat appears to be showing severe arthritic symptoms.
Based on your responses to the survey questions, your cat appears to be showing moderate arthritic symptoms.
Based on your responses to the survey questions, your cat appears to be showing mild arthritic symptoms.
Based on your responses to the survey questions, your cat is probably not affected by arthritis.

* Based on a concept derived from Hill's Mobility Calculator, with additional thanks to Sydney Animal Hospitals (NSW).