Recognising and Treating Chronic Pain in Cats

Chronic pain, particularly from degenerative joint disease, is highly prevalent in older cats but frequently undetected because cats do not vocalise pain consistently and owners miss subtle signs.

Key Facts

Studies suggest over 90% of cats over 10 years old have radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease
Only a minority of cats with joint disease show obvious limping; most show subtle behaviour changes
Common signs include reduced jumping height, reluctance to use stairs, and changes in grooming
Meloxicam and other NSAIDs are effective for managing feline joint pain
Regular veterinary pain assessments using validated scales improve detection rates significantly

Welfare Considerations

Cats are stoic animals that do not usually vocalise chronic pain. Many owners of older cats attribute reduced activity and changed behaviour to normal ageing, when in fact their cat is experiencing ongoing pain from arthritis or other conditions. The feline grimace scale and activity monitoring tools can help identify pain that would otherwise be missed. Effective pain management — often through NSAIDs, environmental modification to reduce jumping requirements, and therapeutic laser treatment — can dramatically improve quality of life for arthritic cats.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual wellness checks for cats over 7 years old including pain assessment
Learn to recognise subtle signs of pain such as reduced grooming and changed sleeping postures
Discuss pain management options proactively with your veterinarian for older cats
Provide ramps and lower-sided litter trays for cats with mobility challenges
Monitor changes in your cat's daily behaviour that might indicate developing pain