Cats are stoic animals that conceal signs of pain, making recognition and management of feline pain one of the most challenging aspects of veterinary care.
Cats with unrecognised chronic pain often show reduced activity and social interaction, which owners may attribute to normal ageing. Untreated pain significantly reduces quality of life and life expectancy. Better owner education about feline pain signs and advances in licensed analgesics for cats have significantly improved outcomes in recent years.