Companion Animals

Chronic Pain Recognition in Cats

Chronic pain in cats is systematically underdiagnosed because cats hide pain effectively and owners misattribute behavioral changes to aging.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects over 90% of cats over 12 years old based on radiographic evidence
Only 4% of cats with radiographic arthritis are identified as lame by owners
The Feline Grimace Scale allows reliable pain assessment from facial expression photos
Meloxicam significantly improves mobility and quality of life in cats with osteoarthritis

Welfare Considerations

The disconnect between radiographic evidence of arthritis and owner recognition of pain reveals the depth of the underdiagnosis problem. Cats reduce activity, avoid jumping, and change litter box use habits rather than displaying obvious lameness. These changes are easily misattributed to normal aging. Regular veterinary pain assessment using validated tools identifies suffering that owners would otherwise miss entirely.

What You Can Do

Download and learn to use the Feline Grimace Scale for at-home pain assessment
Schedule pain-focused veterinary assessments for all cats over 10 years
Try mobility supplements or veterinary NSAIDs if arthritis is suspected or confirmed
Modify the home environment with ramps and lower-entry litter trays to reduce pain triggers