Cat Chronic Pain Recognition and Management

Chronic pain in cats is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated. Cats are stoic and hide pain effectively, and many signs of chronic pain are subtle and easily attributed to 'normal ageing'. Improved recognition and management can dramatically improve quality of life for older cats.

Key Facts

Degenerative joint disease affects over 90% of cats over 12 years of age on radiographic examination
Fewer than 4% of cats with radiographic evidence of joint disease present with obvious lameness
Subtle signs of chronic pain include reduced jumping height, reluctance to use stairs, altered grooming, and behaviour changes
The Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) is a validated tool for assessing acute pain in cats
Chronic pain scales adapted for cats include assessment of mobility, activity level, and demeanour
NSAIDs approved for long-term use in cats have significantly improved chronic pain management options
Multimodal approaches combining analgesia, environmental modification, and physical therapy are most effective
Regular monitoring is essential as pain levels and medication requirements change over time

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain imposes a continuous welfare burden that profoundly affects quality of life. The combination of cat stoicism and owner normalisation of age-related changes means many cats live for years with unrecognised and untreated pain. Regular veterinary assessment using structured pain evaluation tools, combined with owner education about subtle pain signs, can transform the welfare of the ageing cat population.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise subtle signs of chronic pain in your cat, especially jumping and grooming changes
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups for cats over 8 years with specific discussion of pain assessment
Ask your vet about approved long-term pain management options if your cat has arthritis or other chronic conditions
Modify your home environment to reduce joint stress - ramps, lower litter trays, raised food bowls