Companion Animals

Cat Arthritis Pain Recognition Scale

Feline osteoarthritis is highly prevalent but under-recognised. Validated pain scales enable more accurate assessment and treatment in clinical practice.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects approximately 90% of cats over 12 years
The Feline Grimace Scale allows pain assessment from facial expressions
Mobility changes including reluctance to jump are early signs
Owner-completed questionnaires including CSOM and FMPI improve clinical assessment
Multimodal analgesia including NSAIDs, gabapentin, and monoclonal antibodies is most effective

Welfare Considerations

Feline osteoarthritis causes chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life in elderly cats. The majority of affected cats are not receiving appropriate analgesia because their pain is not recognised. Validated pain assessment tools that owners and vets can use improve pain recognition and treatment rates, directly improving welfare for millions of cats.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise subtle signs of arthritis including reduced jumping and grooming
Ask your vet to assess your elderly cat for osteoarthritis at every visit
Discuss multimodal analgesia including licensed monoclonal antibody treatment