| BEAP Pain Scale for Cats |
| Many signs of chronic pain are non-specific. Please see your
family vet to rule out other possible causes of these symptoms. |
| | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Score |
| “B” is for Breathing | Breathes normally | Breathes normally | Breathes normally, possibly at increased rate | Breathing rate and effort may be increased | Faster breathing rate with more noticeable effort | Increased breathing rate and effort; may have periods of open-mouthed breathing or panting | ______ |
| “E” is for Eyes | Eyes bright and alert | Breathes normally | Eyes may appear slightly duller, may be partly closed | Eyes dull, may remain partially or fully closed; pupils may be more dilated | Eyes dull and may remain partly or fully closed; pupils dilated; may appear distressed | Dull, closed eyes; eyes may also widen with a look of panic; pupils dilated | ______ |
| “A” is for Ambulation | Walks normally and remains agile | Slightly more hesitant to jump onto high places like countertops, but still able to easily jump onto couch or bed | Hesitant to jump on both high (countertops) and lower (bed, couch) surfaces | Moves more slowly or gingerly; no longer jumps onto couch or bed; difficulty on stairs | Unlikely to move if left alone | Unable or unwilling to walk | ______ |
| “A” is for Activity | Engages in play and all normal activities | May show subtle change in normal activity and behaviors | Not eager to interact but still in tune with surroundings; changes in normal routine; may hide; decreased grooming | Withdraws from family and other pets; seeks solitude; decreased grooming; may excessively lick painful area; may have “accidents” outside the litter box | Avoids all interaction; will “go off” and hide, often in new places; stops grooming; frequently licks or chews at painful area, sometimes to the point of fur loss | Difficult to distract from pain, even with gentle touch or soothing voice; may bite or chew painful area; may eliminate where lying | ______ |
| “A” is for Appetite | Eats and drinks as normal | | Appetite more finicky, such as wanting only treats or “junk” food such as canned food | Frequently loses appetite | Loss of appetite; may not want to drink | No interest in food or water | ______ |
| “A” is for Attitude | Happy and content; interested in surroundings; playful behavior; seeks attention | Generally remains happy and interested in surroundings | Generally more subdued and quieter | Very subdued and quiet; increased facial tension; decreased enjoyment of being brushed | Reclusive; agitated; potentially aggressive; tail flicking; may growl or hiss | Extremely depressed or minimally responsive; “flat out”; quiet, growling, or hissing; distressed | ______ |
| “P” is for Posture | Comfortable at rest and during play; perky ears; upright, alert tail; whiskers relaxed | Tail may be down more often; ears up; whiskers generally relaxed | Difficulty posturing to eliminate or cover waste; subtle changes in posture; tail held low and ears more flattened, whiskers slightly down | “Meatloaf” position; whiskers move forward slightly from face; rough or fluffed up fur; difficulty posturing to eliminate or cover waste fully | Tail held close, ears flattened or pinned back, whiskers move forward and tend to bunch; “grimace face”; flattened posture | Lying on side; tail may appear “fluffed” | ______ |
| “P” is for Palpation | Enjoys being touched, petted and brushed; no body tension present | | Does not mind touch except on painful area; turns head to look where touched; mild body tension | Guards painful area or tries to escape; moderate body tension when being touched | Significant body tension when painful area touched; may growl or hiss in pain; guards painful area by pulling away or trying to escape | Rigid body tension when touched; will not tolerate touch of painful area; hissing when non-painful areas are touched | ______ |
| Total: ______ | Total / 8 = Pain Score : ______ |
| | 0 - No Pain | 1 - Mild Pain | 2 - Moderate Pain | 3 - Moderate to Severe Pain | 4 - Severe Pain | 5 - Worst Pain Possible |
| | | Speak with your vet during your next regular visit. | See your vet to assess pain. | CONCERNING, see your vet. | VERY CONCERNING, see your vet. | EMERGENCY, see your vet immediately. |