Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Pain Assessment Feline Grimace Scale

The Feline Grimace Scale is a validated tool for assessing acute pain in cats based on facial action units.

Key Facts

Cats are secretive about pain and traditional assessment often misses moderate pain
The FGS uses five action units including orbital tightening, muzzle tension and ear position
The scale was validated against anaesthetic recovery and shows good inter-rater reliability
Photographic training materials allow vets and owners to learn FGS assessment
Remote monitoring using photography can extend pain assessment outside clinical settings

Welfare Considerations

Undertreatment of feline pain has historically been a major welfare concern. The FGS provides a validated, practical tool that enables more systematic pain assessment and treatment. Wider adoption in veterinary practice and owner education can substantially improve pain management.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet about using validated pain assessment tools for your cat's post-operative care
Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to help monitor your cat for pain at home
Support research validating pain assessment tools for use in different clinical contexts