Managing Chronic Pain in Cats
A Multimodal Approach: Causes & Gold-Standard Long-Term Management
Chronic pain in cats is common, frequently under-recognised, and often mistaken for “normal ageing.” Unlike dogs, cats rarely vocalise discomfort. Instead, pain presents subtly — reduced jumping, stiffness after rest, altered grooming behaviour, irritability, decreased play, or quiet withdrawal.
Osteoarthritis is particularly prevalent in older cats, with radiographic studies demonstrating degenerative joint changes in a significant proportion of cats over ten years of age. Chronic pain may also arise from dental disease, chronic bladder inflammation, neuropathic disorders, and long-term inflammatory conditions.
Early recognition and structured management can dramatically improve comfort, mobility, appetite, sleep quality, and overall welfare.
Subtle Behavioural Signs Owners Often Miss
Cats rarely vocalise chronic pain. Instead, discomfort often presents through small behavioural shifts that develop gradually over time.
- Reduced grooming or an unkempt coat
- Reluctance to jump onto furniture or window ledges
- Hesitation using the litter tray or avoiding high-sided trays
- Decreased play, interaction, or vertical movement
- Irritability, withdrawal, or altered tolerance to handling
Because these changes are subtle, they are frequently attributed to “normal ageing” rather than underlying discomfort.
Common Causes of Chronic Pain in Cats
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
A leading cause of chronic pain in senior cats. Signs include reluctance to jump, altered litter tray habits, stiffness, and reduced activity.
Dental Disease
Resorptive lesions, gingivitis, and periodontal disease are extremely common and may cause persistent oral discomfort.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)
Inflammatory and neuropathic pain pathways may contribute to chronic bladder-associated discomfort.
Neuropathic Pain
Conditions affecting the nervous system may produce abnormal pain signalling requiring specific pharmacological modulation.
Accurate diagnosis and multimodal management are essential for effective long-term control.
What Is Multimodal Pain Management?
Modern veterinary medicine rarely relies on a single medication. Instead, chronic pain management in cats typically involves multimodal therapy — combining treatments that act on different pathways within the pain cascade.
This may include:
- Licensed anti-inflammatory medications
- Targeted monoclonal antibody therapy
- Neuropathic pain modulators
- Weight management and environmental modification
- Nutritional and joint support
Each treatment plan should be individualised and monitored by the prescribing veterinary surgeon.
Licensed Anti-Inflammatory Medications for Cats
Targeted Monthly Injection for Feline Osteoarthritis
Solensia (Frunevetmab)
Solensia is a monoclonal antibody therapy targeting nerve growth factor (NGF), a key driver of osteoarthritis pain in cats.
Administered once monthly by injection, it offers a modern, targeted approach to long-term pain control and has demonstrated improvements in mobility and activity levels in clinical studies.
Off-Label (Cascade) Medications in Feline Pain Management
Compared with canine medicine, feline pain relief has historically had fewer licensed therapeutic options. Cats metabolise many drugs differently from dogs and humans, limiting the range of medications that can be safely licensed for routine use.
As a result, veterinary surgeons often rely on the UK prescribing cascade to tailor pain management plans when no suitable licensed product exists for a specific indication. When clinically justified and properly monitored, this approach forms a legitimate part of modern feline medicine.
Joint Supplements & Adjunctive Support
Joint supplements are non-prescription products designed to support cartilage structure, synovial fluid function, and long-term joint comfort. While they are not a substitute for prescription pain medication, they may form part of a multimodal approach to managing feline osteoarthritis and mobility changes.
Common ingredients include glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, green-lipped mussel extract, and undenatured type II collagen (UC-II).
Supplying Long-Term Medication Safely
Prescription-only veterinary medicines can only be supplied against a valid veterinary prescription issued by a registered veterinary surgeon.
For cats requiring long-term treatment, continuity, accurate record-keeping, and appropriate prescription review are essential. UK online veterinary pharmacies must operate within Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) regulations and under Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) oversight.
Before ordering, it is important to understand how prescriptions are reviewed, how long they remain valid, and how repeat supplies are managed.
Choosing a Pharmacy for Chronic Feline Conditions
Chronic pain management is not transactional. It forms part of an ongoing clinical care plan. Professional oversight, clear prescription review processes, and responsible dispensing standards are essential when managing long-term feline conditions such as osteoarthritis or chronic lower urinary tract disease.
If you are comparing providers, it may help to understand how different online veterinary pharmacies operate and what standards apply.
How to Choose an Online Veterinary Pharmacy
For pets on ongoing medication, clarity around repeat prescribing and prescription validity is particularly important.
Understanding Repeat Prescriptions for Pets