Chronic Pain in Cats: Recognition and Management

Chronic pain is common in cats, particularly in older animals, and is significantly underrecognised and undertreated due to subtle behavioural signs.

Key Facts

Chronic pain in cats most commonly arises from osteoarthritis, dental disease, and neoplasia
Cats with osteoarthritis show reduced jumping, changes in grooming, and altered litter tray use
The Feline Grimace Scale provides validated facial pain assessment for acute and chronic pain
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs approved for long-term use in cats became available only recently
Pain assessment is increasingly mandatory as part of veterinary wellness consultations for senior cats

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain in cats is profoundly underrecognised because cats suppress pain behaviour even more strongly than dogs. Owners frequently attribute reduced activity, altered grooming, and toileting changes to normal ageing rather than pain. The development of validated feline pain scales has improved clinical recognition, but their use in routine practice remains inconsistent. Long-term analgesia for cats with arthritis was limited by the nephrotoxicity risk of traditional NSAIDs in cats, but newer agents including grapiprant and frunevetmab have improved treatment options substantially. The welfare impact of effective chronic pain management in senior cats is transformative.

What You Can Do

Know the subtle signs of chronic pain in cats including reduced jumping and grooming changes
Schedule regular senior wellness examinations that include pain assessment
Discuss long-term analgesic options with your vet if arthritis is suspected or confirmed
Adapt the home environment to reduce pain impact including providing low-entry litter trays
Use quality of life assessment tools regularly to monitor the effectiveness of pain management