Companion Animals

Feline Pain Recognition: The Science of Cat Facial Expressions

Cats hide pain instinctively. The development of validated feline pain scales — including the Feline Grimace Scale — has revolutionised our ability to assess and treat feline pain.

Key Facts

The Feline Grimace Scale uses orbital tightening, ear position, muzzle tension and whisker change
It has been validated for acute pain and is being adapted for chronic pain assessment
Cats with chronic pain often show changes in behaviour rather than facial expression
Dental pain, arthritis and chronic cystitis are common sources of missed feline pain
Multimodal analgesia is increasingly standard for post-operative and chronic feline pain

Welfare Considerations

Feline pain has historically been undertreated compared to dogs. The development of the Feline Grimace Scale and other validated tools has provided objective measures that help vets and owners identify pain. Chronic pain is particularly challenging — affected cats may sleep more, groom less or change social behaviour without obvious discomfort signals. Owner education in feline pain recognition substantially improves welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Learn the Feline Grimace Scale — free resources are available at felinegrimacescale.com
Report behavioural changes in your cat to your vet as potential pain indicators
Ask specifically about pain assessment and analgesia after any surgical procedure
Schedule annual health checks from age 8 for early detection of pain-associated conditions
Advocate for routine feline pain assessment tools in general practice