Which option describes the purpose of a grimace scale?

• A. Grimace scale measures body temperature changes
• B. Grimace scale measures vocalizations
• C. Grimace scale measures facial expressions related to pain
• D. Grimace scale measures heart rate

Answer: (C)

Grimace scales are used to quantify pain in animals by looking at facial expressions. They provide a quick, standardized way to judge how much discomfort an animal is experiencing, which helps caregivers adjust pain relief and monitor welfare over time. The focus is on facial cues—such as changes around the eyes, ears, and muzzle—that reliably reflect pain in many species, even when the animal isn’t vocalizing or showing obvious behaviors. This makes the grimace scale different from measures like body temperature, vocalizations, or heart rate, which are not specifically about facial indicators of pain. In short, its purpose is to translate facial expressions into a pain score to guide care.