Companion Animal Pain Recognition

Pain in companion animals is frequently underrecognized and undertreated; improved pain assessment tools and owner education are transforming veterinary pain management.

Key Facts

The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale and Grimace Scales are validated tools for dog and cat pain assessment
Cats are particularly prone to chronic pain underrecognition due to behavioral pain masking
Post-surgical pain management in companion animals has improved dramatically in the past two decades
Chronic pain from osteoarthritis affects over 60% of dogs over age 7
Multimodal pain management combining drugs, physiotherapy, and environmental modification improves outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Pain recognition in companion animals requires trained observation because animals suppress pain expressions as a vulnerability-hiding survival strategy. This means animals in significant chronic pain may appear normal to owners and even clinicians. Validated grimace scales based on facial action units now provide standardized pain assessment for cats and dogs, improving consistency and reducing undertreatment. Owner education about subtle pain signs including reduced activity, reluctance to jump, and personality changes is essential for catching and treating chronic pain promptly.

What You Can Do

Learn the subtle behavioral signs of pain in dogs and cats from veterinary educational resources
Discuss multimodal pain management with your veterinarian for any surgical procedures
Ask about validated pain assessment tools if you suspect your pet may be in chronic pain
Advocate for pain management training to be a core competency in veterinary education