Hello! My 12yr old cat (M, neutered, named Tater) lives with me in my college dormitory. When we first moved in, I realized the jump into my bed from the floor was pretty high (34 inches to be exact), so I added an ottoman that he uses to make the jump less of a struggle (the jump from the ottoman to my bed is now 23 inches).

In the past week or so, I have noticed that he is struggling to jump onto my bed successfully on his first try. This is abnormal for him, as he has been able to do so confidently for the last few months.

I will totally buy him pet stairs to use if people think that is the next best option, as I want to ensure he is comfortable and minimizing any pain that he may be hiding. I’m also wondering if this is a normal problem with cat aging in general? (He is my first cat that is fully under my care and I’ve had him for 4 years)

**IMPORTANT TO NOTE:**   
He has kidney disease (stage 2) and has been on a special diet for it the past few months. 

He is 13.5 pounds (down from 17 in November), but the vet acknowledged this weight loss is primarily muscle wasting near his spine. Despite the weight loss and muscle wasting (which were discovered in January) he has been active and jumping easily onto my bed until this past week. 

I do trim his nails, but I have been doing this since January as well and it has not posed a problem as long there is a blanket covering my duvet for him to grip onto (the blanket is the patterned fabric)

**Barriers to care:**  
I do not have very easy access to quick vet care, since I live in a different city from his main vet (as he used to live at home with my parents). 

Additionally, I cannot afford very expensive vet bills due to financial barriers as a college student, and my parents are apprehensive to pay more for his care since his prescription food costs nearly $100 for a month total (ish) and they are already helping me by paying for that. 

**TL;DR**   
My cat (12M) with stage 2 kidney disease is having a hard time jumping the 2 feet it takes to get onto my bed, and wondering if I should be concerned.

12yr cat having a hard time jumping