Companion Animals

Cat Chronic Pain Recognition and Management

Chronic pain in cats — especially from arthritis and dental disease — is widely underrecognised and undertreated, causing years of preventable suffering in older cats.

Key Facts

Over 90% of cats over 12 years have radiographic evidence of arthritis
Cats rarely limp when arthritic — they reduce activity and avoid climbing instead
Feline chronic pain is assessed by behavioural change, not vocalisation
NSAIDs approved for long-term use in cats have become available in recent years
Regular pain assessment from age 7 would catch most progressive chronic conditions earlier

Welfare Considerations

Cat chronic pain operates largely below the threshold of human awareness. Unlike dogs, cats do not limp, vocalise, or seek comfort when in pain — evolutionary pressure to conceal weakness means their suffering is hidden. Owners interpret reduced jumping and grooming as normal ageing rather than pain, delaying treatment. With newer analgesic options and growing awareness of feline pain indicators, cats no longer need to endure years of treatable chronic pain.

What You Can Do

Schedule twice-yearly vet checks from age 7 with pain assessment included
Learn the feline grimace scale to assess your cat's pain at home
Report behaviour changes such as reduced jumping and grooming to your vet
Advocate for routine pain screening in geriatric feline health checks
Support feline pain research funding through veterinary charities