Companion Animals

Cat Pain Assessment and Recognition Welfare

Cats are experts at hiding pain, making welfare-focused pain assessment an essential skill for cat owners and veterinarians.

Key Facts

The Feline Grimace Scale uses facial expressions to assess acute pain in cats
Cats with chronic pain show subtle behavioral changes that owners often miss
Reduced grooming, social withdrawal, and decreased activity are pain indicators
Cats may continue eating despite significant oral or abdominal pain
Validated pain assessment tools improve the accuracy of pain recognition

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain in cats is significantly under-recognized and undertreated because of their stoic nature. Cats with dental disease, arthritis, cancer, and other painful conditions often endure prolonged suffering without their owners realizing the extent of their discomfort. Routine pain assessment and proactive analgesic management dramatically improves cat welfare.

What You Can Do

Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain at home
Ask your vet to assess pain at every veterinary visit
Do not assume a cat that continues eating is not in pain
Treat chronic conditions like arthritis with appropriate long-term analgesia
Request a pain assessment when taking a senior cat to the vet