Recognising and Managing Chronic Pain in Cats

Chronic pain in cats — particularly from arthritis, dental disease, and cancer — is frequently underdiagnosed because cats are stoic and hide signs of discomfort.

Key Facts

Degenerative joint disease affects over 90% of cats over 12 years old in some studies
Cats mask pain as a survival strategy, making recognition challenging for owners and vets
Validated pain assessment tools like the Feline Grimace Scale help identify chronic pain
NSAIDs and gabapentin are increasingly used for feline chronic pain management
Environmental modifications including ramps, low-sided litter trays, and heated beds significantly improve quality of life for arthritic cats

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of reduced quality of life in older cats, yet it often goes unrecognised for months or years. Owners commonly attribute signs of pain — reduced activity, reluctance to jump, changed grooming patterns — to normal ageing. Prompt recognition and management of feline chronic pain is a major welfare opportunity. Multimodal pain management combining medication, environmental modification, and physiotherapy can restore significant quality of life even in geriatric cats.

What You Can Do

Learn the signs of chronic pain in cats including reduced activity and grooming changes
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups that include pain assessment for older cats
Use validated pain assessment tools like the Feline Grimace Scale
Modify your cat's environment with ramps, low trays, and warm resting spots
Discuss long-term pain management options proactively with your veterinarian