Cat Pain Recognition and Assessment

Cats are masters of concealing pain; validated assessment tools and owner education are essential to identify and treat feline pain effectively.

Key Facts

Cats evolved as both predator and prey, giving them strong evolutionary pressure to hide signs of weakness.
The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-Feline) is validated for post-operative acute pain.
The Feline Grimace Scale uses facial action units to assess acute pain non-invasively.
Chronic pain in cats manifests subtly: reduced grooming, decreased jumping, changed sleeping location.
Under-recognition and under-treatment of pain in cats remains a significant welfare gap in veterinary practice.

Welfare Considerations

The stoic nature of cats means that pain is routinely missed or underestimated by owners and sometimes by vets. Cats in pain may simply become quieter and less interactive — signs owners often attribute to personality or age. Pain assessment tools provide objective, repeatable measures that improve recognition and treatment decisions. Post-operative analgesia for cats has historically been less consistent than for dogs; awareness of the Feline Grimace Scale has helped address this. At home, owners should monitor subtle behavioural changes including reduced play, altered facial expression, and reluctance to move as indicators of possible pain requiring veterinary assessment.

What You Can Do

Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain level at home.
Never assume a quiet cat is a comfortable cat — reduced activity may indicate pain.
Request post-operative pain relief assessment using validated tools from your vet.
Advocate with your vet for proactive analgesia protocols in all feline procedures.