Recognizing Pain in Cats: Signs Owners Frequently Miss

Cats are masters at concealing pain, and owner awareness of subtle pain indicators is essential for timely treatment.

Key Facts

The Feline Grimace Scale identifies pain through orbital tightening, muzzle tension, ear position, and whisker changes
Cats in chronic pain often reduce grooming, alter posture, or change litter box habits rather than vocalizing
Feline osteoarthritis affects over 90% of cats over 12 years old but is diagnosed and treated in fewer than 4%
Hiding and reduced interaction with family members are among the most reliable indicators of chronic pain
Acute pain in cats may manifest as aggression, dilated pupils, and rapid breathing rather than obvious distress
Pain assessment tools validated for cats have only been widely available since the early 2010s

Welfare Considerations

The chronic undertreatment of feline pain represents a significant welfare burden. Because cats evolved to mask vulnerability to avoid predator attention, pain behaviors are subtle and easily attributed to aging or personality change. Osteoarthritic cats that are reluctant to jump, groom their lower back, or use a litter box with high sides are frequently assumed to be simply getting old. Veterinary and owner education about the Feline Grimace Scale and other validated pain tools is improving this situation, but the gap between pain prevalence and pain treatment in cats remains large. Multimodal pain management — NSAIDs, gabapentin, environmental modification — can dramatically improve quality of life.

What You Can Do

Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to improve your ability to detect pain in your cat
Have cats over age 8 assessed for arthritis and dental disease at every annual visit
Report any change in behavior, mobility, or habits to your vet as a potential pain signal
Ensure your cat can access food, water, and litter without jumping or climbing if they show mobility changes