Chronic Pain Assessment in Cats: Tools and Clinical Approaches

Chronic pain in cats from arthritis and other conditions is massively underdiagnosed. Validated assessment tools and owner education are transforming how feline chronic pain is recognized and treated.

Key Facts

Studies suggest 60-90% of cats over 10 years of age have radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease
Cats rarely show obvious lameness even with significant joint pain due to their stoic nature
The Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) uses facial action units to assess acute pain objectively
The Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing (MI-CAT) is validated for owner-reported chronic pain
Activity monitors and gait analysis tools are emerging as objective measures of feline chronic pain
NSAIDs are the most effective analgesics for feline arthritis but require careful long-term monitoring
Meloxicam is the most widely used NSAID for cats; gabapentin is increasingly used for chronic pain
Veterinary physiotherapy and environmental modification significantly improve quality of life

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain in cats represents one of the largest underaddressed welfare problems in companion animal medicine. The combination of cats' stoic pain expression and owners' lack of awareness means that millions of cats live with persistent pain that is never diagnosed or treated. Cats with arthritis reduce their activity, stop jumping to favourite spots, groom less, and become less social — changes that owners often attribute to "getting old" rather than pain. Validated assessment tools now allow veterinarians and owners to objectively identify and monitor chronic pain, but these tools are underutilized in routine practice. Treating chronic feline pain dramatically improves quality of life and the human-animal bond.

What You Can Do

Learn to use the Montreal Instrument for Cat Arthritis Testing (MI-CAT) to assess your senior cat
Schedule annual wellness checks for cats over 7 years old that include pain assessment
Do not dismiss behavioural changes in older cats as simply "aging" without veterinary assessment
Ask your vet about appropriate long-term pain management options for arthritic cats
Modify your home to reduce pain: ramps to favourite spots, low-sided litter trays, heated bedding
Monitor your cat's activity level and report reductions in jumping or grooming to your vet