Moderate severity

Spondylosis Deformans (Spinal Bone Spurs)

A degenerative condition in which bony spurs form along the underside of the spine, most often in older cats. It is frequently silent, but in some cats the new bone stiffens the back or presses on nerves and causes pain.

⚠️ Common symptoms

Stiffness or reluctance to jump, climb or use stairsA stiff, less flexible back or altered postureReduced grooming of the back and rear, leading to a scruffy coatIrritability or objection to being touched along the spineReduced activity and more time spent restingIn some cats, no visible signs at allRarely, weakness or wobbliness if a nerve is pinched

Spondylosis deformans is a degenerative condition of the spine in which the body responds to years of stress and ageing by depositing new bone along the lower edges of the vertebrae. Over time these bony spurs, called osteophytes, can grow toward one another and even form bridges that link neighbouring vertebrae. It is a common finding in older cats and is often discovered by chance on an X-ray taken for something else entirely.

What surprises many owners is how often the condition causes no symptoms at all. In a great number of cats the extra bone simply sits there, stiffening the spine slightly but causing no pain, and no treatment is needed. The picture changes when the new bone limits the spine's flexibility enough to bother the cat, or when a spur forms in a spot where it presses on a nerve root as it leaves the spinal cord.

Because cats are such stoic animals and instinctively hide discomfort, the signs are easy to miss. Rather than crying out, an affected cat tends to quietly do less: hesitating before a jump it once made easily, using the stairs less, spending more of the day curled up, or growing scruffy over the back and tail base because twisting round to groom there has become uncomfortable. Some become touchy about being stroked along the spine.

The outlook is generally good. Spondylosis is managed rather than cured, and the aim is comfort: keeping the cat slim to spare the spine, encouraging gentle movement, easing daily life with soft beds, ramps, low-sided litter trays and raised bowls, and using cat-safe pain relief where a vet judges it necessary. With a few thoughtful adjustments, most cats with spondylosis stay comfortable and active well into old age.

🔍 Causes

Spondylosis deformans is a wear-and-tear (degenerative) change of the spine, in which the body lays down new bone at the edges of the vertebrae — sometimes forming bridges of bone between them. It is largely a consequence of ageing and the ordinary stresses placed on the spine over a lifetime, and it is found commonly in older cats. It can also follow injury to the spine or the ligaments and discs around it. In most cats the extra bone is an incidental finding that causes no trouble; problems arise only when the new bone limits movement or impinges on a nerve.

🛡 Prevention

Because it is chiefly an age-related degenerative change, spondylosis cannot be reliably prevented, but you can reduce the strain on your cat's spine and slow the impact of the condition. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight is the single most useful step, as excess weight increases wear on the joints and spine. Regular, gentle activity maintains the muscle that supports the back, and providing easy, low-impact access to resting and feeding spots avoids repeated jarring landings. Routine veterinary check-ups, especially as a cat ages, help pick up stiffness and discomfort early.

💊 Treatment

There is no way to remove the bony spurs, so treatment aims to keep an affected cat comfortable and mobile. Many cats need no treatment because the changes cause them no pain. For those that are sore, vets may prescribe cat-safe pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication — never give human painkillers, which are toxic to cats. Keeping a cat lean takes load off the spine, and gentle, sustained activity helps maintain muscle and suppleness. Practical home changes help a great deal: soft, well-padded beds, low-sided litter trays, ramps or steps up to favourite spots, and raised food and water bowls. Some cats also benefit from physiotherapy, acupuncture or other supportive therapies recommended by a vet.

When to see a vet: See your vet if your cat becomes stiff, reluctant to jump or climb, stops grooming its back and rear, or seems sore when touched along the spine — these signs are easy to dismiss as 'just getting old' but often reflect treatable discomfort. Seek prompt advice if your cat shows sudden weakness, wobbliness, dragging of the back legs or signs of severe pain, which can indicate a pinched nerve or another spinal problem needing urgent assessment.

⚕️ Medical disclaimer

  • This information is educational only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
  • Symptoms overlap between conditions — only a vet can diagnose accurately.
  • Never withhold treatment or self-medicate based on information found online.
  • When in doubt, call your vet. Early intervention almost always leads to better outcomes.

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