Chronic pain in cats, particularly from arthritis and dental disease, is systematically underdiagnosed because cats hide pain as a prey species, leaving millions of companion cats suffering without treatment.
The undertreatment of chronic pain in cats represents one of the largest companion animal welfare gaps in the developed world. Because cats do not vocalise pain reliably and maintain surface-level normal behaviour while suffering, owners and sometimes veterinarians miss the signs. Welfare education about subtle pain indicators — changed facial expressions, reluctance to jump, altered grooming patterns, increased hiding — is essential for identifying suffering early. Environmental modifications such as ramps, lower litter trays, and heated beds provide significant relief independently of medication.