Recognizing Pain in Cats: Understanding the Feline Grimace Scale
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
Cats are masters at hiding pain. Unlike dogs, they rarely vocalize discomfort, and subtle behavioral shifts often go unnoticed. This makes pain assessment in feline patients notoriously difficult—until now.
Enter the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS), a science-backed tool developed specifically to help veterinarians and pet professionals recognize acute pain in cats using nothing but facial expressions.
Let’s break it down:
A pain-free cat will have ears facing forward, open eyes, a relaxed, round muzzle, curved and relaxed whiskers, and a head held above the shoulder line.
A moderately painful cat might show slightly separated ears, half-closed eyes, some tension in the muzzle, straighter whiskers, and a head level with the shoulders.
A clearly painful cat will often have flattened, outward-facing ears, squinted eyes, a tense (elliptical-shaped) muzzle, straight whiskers pushed forward, and a head held low or tilted down.
Why This Matters
Pain in cats—whether from illness, injury, surgery, or dental issues—can significantly affect their health and quality of life. Because they often suffer in silence, pain can go unrecognized and untreated for too long.
The Feline Grimace Scale provides a clear, validated, and easy-to-use method for pain detection, helping veterinary teams respond quickly and appropriately.
It has been scientifically validated for use by veterinarians and is currently being evaluated for use by veterinary technicians and other professionals in clinical settings.
When to Use It
The FGS is designed for acute pain assessment, not chronic pain management. It can be used for:
Post-operative evaluations
Medical or dental pain cases
Emergency or trauma situations
Monitoring response to pain medications
Pain assessments should be done as often as needed on a case-by-case basis.
Final Thoughts
Cats may be quiet, but their faces speak volumes—if you know what to look for. The Feline Grimace Scale is a game-changer in feline healthcare, helping ensure that pain doesn’t go undetected or untreated.
If you’re a veterinary professional or a curious cat owner, consider exploring the official FGS training manual and video for deeper insights:
By learning to read the subtle signs, we can all do our part to help cats live more comfortable, pain-free lives.
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