Detecting pain in cats is challenging due to their stoic nature, but validated assessment tools now allow more accurate identification and treatment of feline pain.
Accurate pain assessment is the foundation of effective pain management in cats. Without the ability to reliably detect pain, treatment is delayed or withheld. The Feline Grimace Scale — validated through rigorous research — allows rapid assessment of acute pain using facial expression changes that are consistent across cats regardless of personality. Chronic pain assessment requires different tools, including owner questionnaires and activity monitoring that capture behavioral changes invisible in the clinic. Veterinary practices that implement validated pain assessment protocols consistently identify and treat pain in more cats, improving welfare outcomes across their patient population.