Pretty much, yeah. And I’m not convinced by your news article either as the study described relies on the reporting of pet-owners. Vegan cat owners forcing such a diet on their pet aren’t exactly people I trust to be 100% honest about the wellness of said cat.
And yet people default to those systems and have since the agricultural revolution.
As for plant stimuli, who are you to say that doesn’t constitute pain? They sure communicate it to those around them, cut grass smell and all that. Does an ant not feel pain because it mostly just responds to and sends out pheromones? Bit of a “my red is your blue” argument you’re making.