Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Feline Pain Management 2026

Feline pain management has been transformed in 2026 by new drugs, improved recognition tools, and better understanding of feline pain physiology.

Key Facts

NSAIDs must be used cautiously in cats due to reduced metabolic capacity compared to dogs
Buprenorphine is widely used for perioperative and acute pain in cats
Gabapentin provides effective chronic pain management for neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain
Frunevetmab (Solensia) provides monthly injectable pain control for arthritis with minimal side effects
The Feline Grimace Scale enables reliable pain assessment by trained veterinary staff

Welfare Considerations

Feline pain management has options that did not exist a decade ago. Using validated assessment tools and appropriate analgesics ensures cats receive the pain control they deserve.

What You Can Do

Ensure your cat receives appropriate pain management for all procedures and chronic conditions
Learn the Feline Grimace Scale to assess your cat's pain at home
Ask your vet about Solensia for cats with chronic arthritis pain