Cat Chronic Pain Assessment and Recognition

Cats are stoic animals that hide pain signs, making chronic pain recognition challenging but critical for welfare in older and chronically ill cats.

Key Facts

Studies suggest over 90% of cats over 12 years have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis
Cats rarely vocalize pain, instead showing behavioral changes including reduced grooming and activity
The Feline Grimace Scale provides a validated tool for acute pain assessment in cats
The VTRI chronic pain questionnaire helps owners identify subtle behavioral signs of chronic pain
Meloxicam is the most widely used feline NSAID but requires careful monitoring due to kidney effects

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain in cats is vastly underrecognized and undertreated, representing a significant welfare gap. Because cats evolved as both predator and prey, displaying pain signals is a survival disadvantage - meaning cats may suffer silently for years before owners or veterinarians recognize the problem. Behavioral changes such as reduced jumping height, reluctance to use stairs, changes in grooming, and decreased social interaction are the key signals. Regular geriatric wellness examinations with specific chronic pain screening represent the most impactful intervention for the welfare of aging cats.

What You Can Do

Schedule biannual wellness examinations for cats over 10 years of age
Learn the behavioral signs of feline chronic pain: reduced activity, grooming changes, hiding, irritability
Use validated tools such as the VTRI-CAT questionnaire to systematically assess your senior cat
Discuss multimodal pain management options with your veterinarian, including environmental modifications
Provide low-sided litter boxes, ramps, and warm resting spots to support mobility in arthritic cats