Cats are stoic animals who rarely show pain the way dogs or humans do. Yet chronic pain — from arthritis, dental disease, injuries, and other conditions — significantly impacts your cat's quality of life. At Tenafly Veterinary Center in Tenafly, NJ, we specialize in recognizing and treating feline pain with safe, effective, personalized approaches.

Recognizing Pain in Cats

Cats in pain often show subtle behavioral changes rather than obvious signs. Watch for: reduced grooming or over-grooming one area, reluctance to jump or climb, sleeping in different locations than usual, changes in litter box use, decreased appetite, hiding, irritability, or reduced interaction with family members. These signs deserve a veterinary evaluation.

Chronic Pain Management for Cats

Long-term pain from osteoarthritis, dental disease, intervertebral disc disease, and cancer requires a thoughtful, multimodal approach in cats — because many medications safe for dogs are toxic to cats. Our feline-specific pain management options include:
  • Solensia (Frunevetmab) — Monthly injectable monoclonal antibody therapy specifically approved for feline osteoarthritis pain. Highly effective and very well tolerated.
  • Class IV Laser Therapy — Non-invasive, drug-free pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment safe for cats at any age
  • Gabapentin — Safe and effective for cats, used for neuropathic pain, post-surgical pain, and anxiety-related discomfort
  • Meloxicam (with monitoring) — NSAID therapy with regular kidney function monitoring for appropriate candidates
  • Buprenorphine — Opioid pain relief available in an oral transmucosal formulation that's easy to administer at home

Acute Pain Management

For cats recovering from surgery, dental procedures, or injuries, we provide comprehensive acute pain management beginning before procedures and continuing through recovery. We send every surgical patient home with a clear pain management plan and are always available for questions during recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Help Your Cat Live Comfortably

Call 201-567-7878 or schedule a pain consultation online.
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201-567-7878