Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Post-Operative Pain Management

Ensuring cats receive adequate pain management after surgery for optimal welfare and recovery.

Key Facts

Pain assessment in cats post-surgery is complicated by their tendency to hide signs of discomfort
The Feline Grimace Scale provides validated, rapid pain assessment for clinical and owner use
Buprenorphine is the most widely used opioid for feline post-operative pain due to safety and efficacy
Multimodal analgesia including local nerve blocks significantly reduces systemic opioid requirements

Welfare Considerations

Post-operative pain in cats is frequently undertreated due to difficulty in recognition and historical assumptions about pain tolerance. Validated pain scales, multimodal protocols, and owner education on pain signs are essential components of welfare-positive post-surgical care.

What You Can Do

Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain at home after surgery
Ensure your vet provides written pain monitoring guidance for all post-surgical procedures
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your cat is in pain after surgery