Perception of the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed in Alleviating Discomfort Associated with Feline Arthritis

Consumer Perception Study

Author: Citruslabs Research Team


Citruslabs, 1639 11th Street, Santa Monica, USA

Created 16th April 2025

  1. Data Interpretation

    Claim

    Category

    Basis

    Supporting Source

    75.68% of participants noticed improved mobility in their cats after 6 weeks.

    Mobility Improvement

    Week 6 questionnaire data.

    Table 2, Week 6

    Cats’ ability to jump up improved by 24.74% after 6 weeks.

    Mobility Improvement

    Statistical increase from baseline to Week 6.

    Table 1, Week 6

    Cats’ ability to jump up to kitchen counter height in one try improved by 45.57% by Week 6.

    Mobility Improvement

    Statistical increase from baseline to Week 6.

    Table 1, Week 6

    70.27% of participants agreed their cat appeared to have less pain after 6 weeks.

    Pain Reduction

    Week 6 agreement percentage.

    Table 2, Week 6

    82% of participants reported reduced arthritis pain after 4 weeks using the heating function.

    Pain Reduction

    Week 4 questionnaire on heating function impact.

    Table 2, Week 4

    83.78% of participants noticed an increase in kneading behavior, a comfort sign, by Week 6.

    Comfort Behavior

    Week 6 questionnaire data.

    Table 2, Week 6

    78.38% of participants agreed the product substantially increased their cat’s quality of life.

    Quality of Life

    Week 6 satisfaction questionnaire.

    Table 9

    72.97% of participants noticed increased grooming habits after 6 weeks.

    Well-being Indicator

    Week 6 questionnaire data.

    Table 2, Week 6

    70.27% of cats were using the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed daily by Week 6.

    Usage Adoption

    Usage frequency report at Week 6.

    Table 5, Week 6

    78.38% of cats made the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed their preferred resting spot.

    Preference / Comfort

    Preference report at Week 6.

    Table 8, Week 6

    91.89% of participants stated they would like their cats to continue using the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed.

    User Satisfaction

    End-of-study participant agreement.

    Table 9

    89.19% of participants would recommend the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed to friends and family.

    Recommendation Likelihood

    End-of-study participant agreement.

    Table 9

    91.89% of participants believed the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed is electrically safe after 6 weeks.

    Safety Perception

    End-of-study participant agreement.

    Table 9

    59.46% of cats were reported to jump more frequently after using the product (telehealth report).

    Mobility Improvement

    Telehealth visit Week 4 report.

    Table 10

    78.38% of cats were more active after using the product according to owners.

    Activity Increase

    Telehealth visit Week 4 report.

    Table 10

  2. Introduction

    The Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed is designed to offer warmth and orthopedic support, aiming to alleviate symptoms of feline arthritis and improve overall comfort for cats. This bed integrates heat therapy and a contoured ergonomic design, along with herbal pads that provide additional soothing benefits. Key features include daily use as a regular resting spot for cats, with herbal pads attached to the mattress cover for a therapeutic effect.


  3. Methods

    1. Participants

      A total of 40 participants with cats aged six years and older were recruited for this study. All participants satisfied the following inclusion and exclusion criteria.

      Inclusion criteria

      • Cats aged 6 years or older.

      • Cats that use a cat bed. 

      • Owner would answer ‘Yes’ to at least three of the following questions: 

        • Does your veterinarian think your cat is suffering from joint and mobility issues?

        • Do you think your cat shows signs of joint-related pain?

        • Do you ever notice your cat limping while walking or trotting, or shifting weight while standpan>

        • Does your cat have any difficulty climbing or descending stairs?

        • Does your cat have any difficulty jumping on or off the bed or couch?

        • Does your cat have any difficulty in rising from a resting position?

      • Cats diagnosed with or showing symptoms of arthritis.

      • Owners willing to avoid introducing any products or any new forms of regular medication or supplements that target joint health and/or symptoms of osteoarthritis.

      • Resides in the United States. 


      Exclusion criteria:

      • Cats with known allergies to herbal ingredients.

      • Cats that have received  treatments that may affect their pain or mobility, such as:

        • Corticosteroids (in the past month)

        • NSAIDs (in the past week)

        • Painkillers, e.g., gabapentin (in the past week)

        • Therapies like acupuncture or physiotherapy (in the past month)

      • Cats with any conditions or medications that could interfere with the perception of the bed's effectiveness.

      • Cats that are currently pregnant or lactating. 

      • Cats currently participating in any other clinical trial or perception study.

    2. Study Design

      This virtual consumer perception study required participants to complete questionnaires at home. Before study onboarding, consent forms describing the study process, instructions, evaluation methods, and bill of rights were provided to participants. Following the consent process, participants completed the Baseline questionnaire.

      All participants were asked to use the test product, the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed. Participants were required to replace the cat’s usual bed with the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed, in the cat’s preferred resting area, for a period of 6 weeks. Herbal therapy mode was to be used for at least 20 minutes daily, with five herbal therapy pads attached to the designated spots on the bed. The aim of the study was to assess its impact on the cat’s mobility, activity levels, and comfort.

      Study-specific questionnaires were completed at Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, and Week 6, with participants also undergoing telehealth visits at Week 4.

    3. Data Analysis or Data Reporting

      In this study, data from the questionnaires regarding participants' assessment of their cats’ ability to perform activities were collected using a textual 5-point Likert scale for each question. The textual Likert data was transformed into numerical values from 1 to 5, whereby a score of ‘1’ represents the worst answer and a score of ‘5’ the best. Statistical analysis compared participant outcomes at each check-in to their Baseline response and was performed on all available data on an intention-to-treat basis. The data were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons. Statistical analyses were performed in GraphPad Prism 8, and the significance level was set at 0.05.

      Questions regarding participants’ reporting of their cats’ experience of the product were collected using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree.' For the purposes of analysis, responses indicating 'agree' and 'strongly agree' were combined to create a composite 'agree' score. This combined percentage was used to assess the overall agreement among participants, providing a clear measure of positive sentiment toward the variables under investigation.


  4. Results

    A total of 40 participants were recruited for this study. Three participants did not complete the study. Thus, data from 38 participants were included in the analysis at Week 4, and data from 37 participants were included at Week 6.

    Participants’ reported assessment of their cats’ mobility increased significantly in 8 out of 9 parameters assessed. Participants’ reported assessment of their cats’ ability to jump up increased by 25% by Week 6, while participants’ reported assessment of their cats’ ability to jump up to kitchen counter height in one try increased by 46% (Table 1, Figure 1). Participants’ reported assessment of their cats’ ability to get up from a resting position increased by 15%, and their ability to play with toys and objects increased by 19% by Week 6 (Table 1, Figure 1).

    Participants reported a positive impact of the product on their cats’ pain. By Week 6, 70% of participants agreed that their cat appeared to have less pain, and by Week 4, 82% of participants agreed that use of the heating bed allowed for a reduction in their cat’s pain caused by arthritis (Table 2). By Week 6, 84% of participants agreed that they had noticed an increase in their cat’s kneading behavior, a sign of increased comfort (Table 2). By Week 6, 70% of participants reported that their cat was using the product every day (Table 5).


  5. Conclusion

    In conclusion, this study investigating the effects of the Knead Therapeutic Cat Bed on symptoms of feline arthritis has yielded valuable insights. Participant perceptions of the product’s impact on their cat were positive, with 92% of participants agreeing that they would like their cat to continue using the product. This study paves the way for further research into the effects of this product on symptoms of feline arthritis.


 

Table 1. Statistical Outcomes of Changes in Questionnaire Responses Relative to Baseline. Change (%) indicates the difference in the associated mean value compared to Baseline. An increase in the mean indicates an improvement. Green cells highlight statistically significant outcomes (p≤0.05). This table provides the numerical data presented in Figure 1.

 

Baseline (n=40)

Week 2 (n=40)

Week 4 (n=38)

Week 6 (n=37)

Mean

Mean

Change (%)

p-value

Mean

Change (%)

p-value

Mean

Change (%)

p-value

Ability to jump up

3.58

3.93

9.79

0.0464

4.26

19.25

0.0003

4.46

24.74

<0.0001

Ability to jump up to kitchen counter height in one try

2.53

3.03

19.80

0.0562

3.53

39.66

<0.0001

3.68

45.57

<0.0001

Ability to jump down

3.63

4.18

15.17

0.0006

4.29

18.33

<0.0001

4.54

25.26

<0.0001

Ability to play with toys & chase objects

3.85

4.10

6.49

0.5281

4.34

12.78

0.0796

4.57

18.64

0.0017

Ability to get up from resting position

4.05

4.35

7.41

0.082

4.53

11.76

0.0028

4.68

15.45

0.0002

Ability to lay & sit down

4.38

4.70

7.43

0.0462

4.74

8.27

0.0053

4.81

9.96

0.0012

Ability to stretch

4.48

4.55

1.68

0.8941

4.68

4.68

0.2463

4.76

6.30

0.0549

Ability to groom themselves

4.25

4.38

2.94

0.5281

4.42

4.02

0.3406

4.57

7.47

0.0397

Ability to interact with you & family

4.45

4.75

6.74

0.0331

4.82

8.22

0.0125

4.81

7.99

0.0352

Quality of life

3.85

4.28

11.04

0.0015

4.34

12.78

0.0008

4.43

15.13

<0.0001


Table 2. Participant Perceptions of the Impact of the Product. Blue cells highlight a combined positive combined agree score of ≥70%.

 

Combined Agree/Strongly Agree (%)
 

Week 2

(n=40)

Week 4

(n=38)

Week 6

(n=37)

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an improvement in my cat’s mobility, intended as ease of movement and speed of movement.

72.50

81.58

75.68

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed a reduction in my cat's stiffness after resting.

77.50

73.68

75.68

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an improvement in my cat’s gait: he/she has limped less than previously.

47.50

57.89

70.27

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an improvement in my cat’s ability to go up and down the stairs

42.50

55.26

54.05

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in my cat’s energy levels: he/she has been more active

55.00

65.79

51.35

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in the daily frequency of my cat’s jumps (he/she jumps more frequently).

55.00

52.63

70.27

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed a reduction in my cat’s sleeping and resting time because he/she spends more time awake and moving.

27.50

39.47

67.57

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in my cat’s willingness to play.

52.50

55.26

43.24

In the past two weeks, my cat appeared to have had less pain.

57.50

60.53

70.27

The use of the heating bed over the past two weeks allowed for a reduction in my cat’s pain caused by arthritis

82.50

81.58

64.86

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an improvement in my cat’s willingness to be handled.

55.00

63.16

70.27

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed that when I handle my cat, he/she vocalizes less frequently than before.

32.50

44.74

62.16

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an improvement in my cat’s quality of sleep, thanks to the bed, which promotes a deeper, more restorative sleep.

80.00

76.32

48.65

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in my cat’s kneading behavior, which is a sign of increased comfort.

40.00

50.00

83.78

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed a decrease in my cat’s anxiety levels.

57.50

68.42

62.16

In the last 2 weeks, my cat has increased time interacting with me and/or other pets.

75.00

68.42

67.57

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed that my cat grooms himself/herself more often than previously.

35.00

36.84

72.97

During the past two weeks, my cat's overall mood has improved

77.50

65.79

43.24


Table 3. Participant Perceptions of the Impact of the Product on Their Cats’ Calmness

During the past two weeks, I’ve noticed that my cat is more calm and cuddly.

Week 2 (%)

(n=40)

Week 4 (%)

(n=38)

Week 6 (%)

(n=37)

Never

0.00

0.00

0.00

Rarely

10.00

7.89

8.11

Sometimes

45.00

44.74

21.62

Often

35.00

31.58

51.35

Always

10.00

15.79

18.92


Table 4. Participant Perceptions of the Impact of the Product on Their Cats’ Time Spent Hiding and Alone

In the last two weeks, my cat has reduced his/her hiding/alone time by:

Week 2 (%)

(n=40)

Week 4 (%)

(n=38)

Week 6 (%)

(n=37)

0%

20.00

18.42

13.51

1 to 10%

7.50

5.26

13.51

More than 10%

12.50

15.79

5.41

More than 25%

22.50

13.16

16.22

More than 50%

22.50

31.58

29.73

More than 75%

12.50

7.89

16.22

100%

2.50

7.89

5.41


Table 5. Participant Reports of Their Cats' Usage Time of the Product

My cat is using the bed:

Week 2 (%)

(n=40)

Week 4 (%)

(n=38)

Week 6 (%)

(n=37)

Never

2.50

5.26

5.41

1-2 times a week

5.00

5.26

5.41

3-4 times a week

5.00

5.26

2.70

Most days

25.00

21.05

16.22

Every day

62.50

63.16

70.27


Table 6. Participant Reports of Their Cats' Usage Time of the Product Per Day

On average, my cat is using the bed:

Week 2 (%)

(n=40)

Week 4 (%)

(n=38)

Week 6 (%)

(n=37)

Less than 1 hour per day,

10.00

7.89

8.11

1-2 hours per day,

12.50

15.79

13.51

3-4 hours per day

17.50

13.16

2.70

5-6 hours per day

15.00

18.42

27.03

7-9 hours per day

10.00

18.42

18.92

10-12 hours per day

15.00

13.16

13.51

13-16 hours per day

12.50

10.53

5.41

More than 16 hours per day

7.50

2.63

10.81


Table 7. Participant Reports of Their Cats' Uptake of the Product

 

Immediately (%)

Less than 1 day (%)

2 days (%)

3 days (%)

4 days (%)

One week (%)

11 to 14 days (%)

He/she still does not utilize it daily (%)

How long did it take for your cat to accept the new bed and start to utilize it daily?

37.84

16.22

16.22

2.70

8.11

8.11

2.70

8.11


Table 8. Participant Perception of Whether the Cat Has Made the Product Their Preferred Resting Spot

Has your cat made the tested bed his/her preferred resting spot at home?

Week 2 (%)

(n=40)

Week 4 (%)

(n=38)

Week 6 (%)

(n=37)

No

27.50

21.05

21.62

Yes

72.50

78.95

78.38


Table 9. Participants' Perceptions of the Product at the End of the Study. Blue cells highlight a combined positive response of ≥70%.

Combined Agree/Strongly Agree (%)

The product tested has effectively reduced my cat’s symptoms of osteoarthritis.

78.38

The product tested has substantially increased my cat’s quality of life.

78.38

I would like my cat to continue to use this product.

91.89

I would recommend this product to friends and family if they had a cat with osteoarthritis

89.19

I feel a stronger connection and a more positive bond with my cat since using the bed.

62.16

After 6 weeks of usage, my opinion is that the electrical safety of the bed is high.

91.89


Table 10. Telehealth Reports of the Impact of the Product Afte 4 Weeks. Blue cells highlight a combined positive response of ≥70%.

 

 

Yes (%)

No (%)

Did the cat like the bed?

88.89

11.11

Was the size of the bed adequate?

89.19

10.81

Since using the product, is the cat jumping more frequently?

59.46

40.54

Since using the product, has the cat's gait become less stiff or more fluid?

64.86

35.14

Since using the product, is the cat more active?

78.38

21.62

Since using the product, is the cat more affectionate?

62.16

37.84

Since using the product, have there been any changes in the cat's appetite

13.51

86.49

 

Figure 1. Visual Representation of Questionnaire Data. Higher scores indicate better outcomes. Data is graphed as group means with standard deviation and individual data points shown. Baseline, n=40; Week 2, n=40; Week 4, n=38, Week 6, n=37. Statistical significance assessed by two-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s multiple comparisons, *p<0.05, **p<0.001, ***p<0.0001 as indicated.