Are you a cat parent to a feline who suffers from chronic mobility problems? Scientists need your help.

A study is being conducted by scientists from the Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab at the University of California, Davis to help address mobility issues in felines.

Photo: Pexels/Sam Lion

According to the university's recruitment page, the purpose of the research is to "investigate video telehealth as a way to provide non-medical advice on at-home management for caretakers of cats suffering with chronic mobility-related challenges."

The page explains, "Mobility issues, such as those caused by feline degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA)...are a leading chronic health and behavior concern in companion cats. Cats may experience pain and difficulty with everyday behaviors such as grooming, play and litterbox use. These behavior changes may be frustrating or confusing for the cat's caretakers and can feel challenging to manage."

Photo: Pexels/EVG Kowalievska

They went on to say, "Sometimes a cat's pain can go unnoticed, since they can be very skilled at hiding pain or discomfort. This can become an issue for cat welfare, because the cat may be suffering with undetected pain."

A possible solution? Telehealth.

The researchers think that telehealth "may help increase access to care for cats, reduce follow-up challenges, accessibility barriers, and increase access to education for caretakers."

Photo: Pexels/Matilda Wormwood

Human participants must be 18 years of age or older to join the study. They're looking for people who reside in the United States, a U.S. territory, or Canada. The human participant must be the "current primary caregiver of at least one companion cat who is living with chronic mobility challenges and spends at least 50% of their time indoors." Finally, they must be able to access a smart device with video capabilities and internet access (such as a computer, tablet, or smart phone).

If you're interested in applying to participate in the study, you can click this link here.