Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Chronic Pain Recognition

Chronic pain in cats is extremely common but frequently unrecognised. Improving recognition through validated tools and owner education is a major welfare opportunity.

Key Facts

Arthritis affects over 90% of cats over 12 years but is recognised in fewer than 20%
Chronic pain causes welfare harm through reduced mobility, sleep disruption, and inappetence
The Feline Grimace Scale provides a validated tool for clinical pain assessment
Owner questionnaires including the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index aid home assessment
Video of cat behaviour at home often reveals pain signs not visible in clinical examination

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain recognition in cats is among the most impactful welfare improvements available. Most affected cats receive no pain management despite evidence-based treatments being available.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise subtle chronic pain signs in your cat including reduced jumping and grooming changes
Use owner questionnaires to assess pain between veterinary visits
Record home video of your cat's behaviour to share with your vet
Ask about pain management options for cats over 10 years at every wellness visit