Caring for cats with chronic health issues, like arthritis, can be stressful for both pets and their owners. Trips to the vet often involve unfamiliar places, new smells, and other animals, which can make the experience difficult for cats already in pain.
To ease this burden, researchers at the University of California, Davis, explored whether video telehealth visits could help improve care for cats with feline degenerative joint disease, commonly known as feline arthritis. They partnered with pet owners across the United States and Canada to test the idea.
Their findings, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, show that video consultations offering non-medical advice are useful. Over 95% of participants said they would pay for such services, though most expected to pay less than for in-clinic visits.
“Teleadvice is meant to provide support for caregivers looking after cats,” said lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist at the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab. “We found strong interest in using video telehealth to help manage mobility issues in cats.”
A Widespread Problem
Routine veterinary care helps prevent and treat health problems, including feline arthritis — a condition more common than many realize. It affects 6% to 30% of cats under age 10, and as many as 64% to 92% of cats over 10 years old, according to Boone.
“Cats are experts at hiding pain,” said senior author Carly Moody, an assistant professor of animal science. “These are serious health and welfare concerns. Telehealth offers one way to reduce clinic-related stress while still supporting care.”
How the Study Worked
The researchers enrolled 106 cat owners whose pets had mobility problems. Participants first answered a survey about their cat’s condition, their ability to access in-person care, and their opinions on telehealth.
One group received six video sessions — once every three weeks over four months — followed by a second survey. A control group completed only the initial and final surveys. All participants later received an educational session on managing feline mobility issues.
During video calls, Boone asked about the cat’s mobility and general wellbeing. If owners asked, she offered practical suggestions, such as raising food and water bowls to reduce neck strain, providing larger litter boxes with low sides, or adding steps to help cats reach favorite spots.
Owners said the advice helped them better understand their cats’ needs and feel more confident in their caregiving.
“There are many easy changes people can make at home to improve a cat’s comfort,” said Moody. “Telehealth gives professionals a way to see the home setup and offer useful suggestions.”
Support, Not a Substitute
Importantly, these telehealth visits were not medical consultations. They did not require a veterinarian, but were led by trained technicians or knowledgeable staff. The goal was not to replace in-person care, but to complement it.
“You can use telehealth to make life easier for both the cat and the owner,” said Moody. “It can increase support, especially when a cat needs ongoing care.”
Boone added that telehealth could even improve the bond between vets and clients. “It’s not a replacement for in-person visits. It’s a way to enhance them.”
Next Steps
The research team now wants to measure how much suggested home changes actually help cats feel better.
“It would be great to figure out which adjustments make the biggest difference,” said Moody. “If a family can only make one or two changes, we’d want to recommend the most effective ones.”
Her lab also plans to explore whether telehealth could help manage other common issues in cats, such as obesity or preventable diseases.
The study included contributions from Hao-Yu Shih at the Mayo Clinic and Daniel Pang of the University of Calgary and University of Montreal. Funding came from the ASPCA and Maddie’s Fund.
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