Chronic pain in cats is dramatically underrecognized and undertreated due to cats' stoic nature, with validated assessment tools now enabling better identification and management.
Chronic pain in cats represents one of the most significant and pervasive welfare problems in companion animals. The stoic nature of cats means that pain causing significant suffering goes unrecognized for months or years. Owners and even veterinarians may misinterpret reduced activity, reduced jumping, and behavioral changes as 'normal aging' rather than pain requiring treatment. Research using validated pain assessment tools consistently reveals that cats with osteoarthritis and dental disease are in significantly more pain than their behavior suggests to casual observation. The availability of effective, safer treatments for feline pain now makes inadequate pain management even less justifiable.