Companion Animals

Cat Perioperative Pain Management Standards

Adequate pain management before, during and after surgery is fundamental to feline welfare.

Key Facts

Cats are stoic animals that often hide pain, making assessment challenging
Validated tools such as the Glasgow Feline Composite Pain Scale improve pain recognition
Pre-emptive analgesia given before incision reduces pain sensitisation
Multimodal analgesia combining opioids, NSAIDs and local anaesthetics is best practice
Owner education on signs of post-operative pain is critical for at-home recovery

Welfare Considerations

Undertreated pain causes significant suffering and slows recovery in cats. The stoic nature of cats means pain is frequently underestimated or missed entirely. Veterinary practices using validated pain assessment tools and multimodal protocols provide significantly better welfare outcomes for surgical patients.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet what pain assessment and management protocols they use
Ensure you receive clear guidance on recognising pain signs at home after surgery
Consider ISFM-accredited Gold Standard cat-friendly clinics for your cat's care
Support veterinary education initiatives on feline pain recognition and management