Chronic Pain Assessment in Cats: Recognizing Hidden Suffering

Cats are experts at concealing chronic pain, and validated assessment tools help veterinarians and owners identify and treat persistent discomfort.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 60-90% of cats over 12 years of age
Cats rarely vocalize chronic pain, instead showing subtle behavioral changes
The Feline Grimace Scale and Montreal Instrument for Cat Pain Assessment are validated tools
Reduced jumping, reluctance to use stairs, and decreased grooming are common pain signs
NSAIDs approved for cats (meloxicam, robenacoxib) are effective for musculoskeletal pain
Gabapentin and amantadine are used for neuropathic and refractory pain
Owner-completed quality of life questionnaires capture home behaviors vets cannot observe

Welfare Considerations

The silent suffering of cats with chronic pain is a widespread and underappreciated welfare problem. A cat that has stopped jumping on the sofa or grooms less is not 'slowing down with age' - it is often in pain. Validated pain assessment tools transform subjective impressions into actionable clinical data. Regular pain assessment from middle age onwards, combined with effective multimodal analgesia, can restore quality of life for millions of cats currently living with untreated chronic pain.

What You Can Do

Learn the subtle behavioral signs of chronic pain in cats from middle age onwards
Use the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain at home and at vet visits
Discuss pain management options with your vet rather than attributing changes to 'normal aging'
Complete owner-reported quality of life questionnaires honestly to guide treatment decisions
Schedule more frequent vet visits for senior cats to enable earlier pain detection