Companion Animals

Companion Cat Chronic Pain Detection

Chronic pain is significantly underdiagnosed in companion cats because they mask discomfort behaviourally, and new feline-specific pain assessment tools are improving detection and treatment.

Key Facts

The Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) has been validated as an owner-completed assessment tool
Cats with pain show reduced grooming of painful areas, altered sleep postures and reduced jumping
The Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing (MI-CAT) enables owner-based pain monitoring between visits
NSAIDs approved for long-term use in cats are increasingly available and well-tolerated

Welfare Considerations

Cats with chronic pain from arthritis, dental disease, kidney disease or injury experience daily suffering that reduces quality of life in ways invisible to owners. The evolutionary masking of pain in prey species means that significant chronic pain may be present without obvious signs. Validated assessment tools that owners can use at home enable detection of declining quality of life between veterinary visits, allowing timely intervention.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet about the FMPI or MI-CAT for cats over 8 years of age
Observe your cat's jumping behaviour as an early indicator of musculoskeletal pain
Discuss long-term NSAID options with your vet for diagnosed chronic pain conditions
Create low-effort access to elevated resting places for cats who have reduced their jumping