Companion Animals

Companion Cat Chronic Pain Recognition

Chronic pain in cats is frequently unrecognised because they suppress overt signs, making owner and veterinary education essential.

Key Facts

Cats evolved to hide pain as prey-predator ambiguity makes visible weakness dangerous
Common sources of chronic pain include osteoarthritis, dental disease, and interstitial cystitis
The Feline Grimace Scale provides an objective pain assessment tool
Behavioural changes including reduced grooming, hiding, and altered posture indicate chronic pain
NSAIDs and multimodal analgesia significantly improve quality of life in painful cats

Welfare Considerations

Cats silently suffering from chronic pain have profoundly reduced quality of life for months to years before intervention. Owner education about subtle pain signs and routine pain assessment at annual checks are the most important steps toward recognising and treating feline chronic pain. Treatment consistently improves welfare.

What You Can Do

Learn to use the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain level
Request pain assessment as part of annual wellness checks for older cats
Never give dogs' pain medications to cats - many are toxic to them