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Home Signs of Pain in Cats

Signs of Pain in Cats

Cat Pain Signs

Questions

  • Is my cat in pain?
  • Signs my cat is in pain
  • Why is my cat in pain?
We love our mysterious felines, but sometimes they can be hard to understand.  Have you ever wondered if your cat was in pain? Working out the answer can be challenging. Cats have evolved to hide their pain, and they do it very well! Let’s take a dive into the wonderful world of cat behaviour and explore some signs of pain in cats. 

Is my cat in pain?

Is your cat acting a bit strange? Do they seem a little off? Cats can feel pain, just like us. The major difference lies in how we express ourselves. Humans voice our discomfort and point to where it hurts, whereas our feline friends can’t. They are experts at hiding signs of pain and can compensate for a very long time before we notice anything is wrong. 
All types of pain significantly impact a cat’s quality of life and should be treated seriously. So how can you tell if a cat is in pain? It comes down to behaviour and body language.  
Typically, acute pain from injury or trauma can be easier to notice as it happens quickly. Your cat may limp, hiss, or lick, and often there are visual signs such as swelling, pus, or bleeding. Chronic pain, like osteoarthritis or dental disease, can be much harder to spot. This type of pain gradually worsens over a long time, sometimes years, allowing your cat to compensate with small, subtle changes in demeanour and activity.  
Because they are so good at keeping their feelings hidden, pain in cats has traditionally gone unnoticed. Thanks to advances in medicine, our feline friends are now living longer than ever, making pain recognition even more important.  
Cat parents play a key role in making this happen. Have you noticed what your cat does when he goes to the vet? Most felines will freeze, fight, or flirt when they come in for their checkups, making it very hard to pick up on subtle signs of pain. There are clues, but the best ones come from the humans they live with.  

Cat sleeping under the duvet.

Signs my cat is in pain

To crack the code of cat pain we must put on our detective hats and watch our furry friends closely.  Here are some common ways that your cat may show signs of pain:  
Posture: 

  1. Sitting with legs tucked underneath 

  2. Crouching  

  3. Walking low to the ground 

  4. Facial expression: closed eyes, flat ears, dilated pupils

Dietary:  

  1. Loss of appetite 

  2. Avoiding hard food 

  3. Chewing difficulties 

  4. Weight loss 

Movement:  

  1. Avoiding jumping up and down 

  2. Sitting or lying down to eat 

  3. Avoiding stairs 

  4. Asking to be picked up 

  5. Restless or can’t get comfortable  

Toileting:  

  1. Missing the litter tray 

  1. Toileting in new places 

  2. Constipation

Behaviour: 

  1. Sleeping more, playing less 

  2. Isolating themselves, hiding 

  3. Unusually grumpy or aggressive attitude 

  4. Waking in the night 

Grooming: 

  1. Lack of grooming- you may notice clumps of fur or unkempt coat 

  2. Overgrooming - you may notice fur loss 

  3. Avoiding the scratching post 

Some of these can be challenging to identify! Try keeping a diary. Noting down any new behaviours or routine changes can help build a clearer picture over time.  

Why is my cat in pain?

There are many signs of pain in cats and equally as many causes, from sore muscles and joints to broken toes and painful bellies. Young cats are prone to misadventure and pain from trauma, wounds, fractures, or abscesses. Senior cats frequently experience chronic pain and can suffer from dental disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis. Pain can also arise from internal organ damage or failure, gastrointestinal obstructions, constipation, or bladder problems.  
A cat can feel pain in all body systems and localising the problem can be difficult. If you have noticed any of the above signs, or you feel your cat is painful, it is important to seek veterinary care quickly.  

Cat sleeping in the bed.

Treating pain in cats 

Luckily, there are many options to comfort a cat in pain. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may involve oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or opioids, injections, diet, weight management, or environmental modification. Your vet may recommend blood and urine testing to determine why they are in pain, check their overall health status, and help choose the right treatment.  Cats are very sensitive to certain drugs and it is important not to give any medications at home before their check-up.  
Cats are master actors and have evolved to hide signs of pain. Managing our feline friends’ discomfort is important and by closely watching their behaviour we can learn a tremendous amount. Together you and your local veterinarian can decipher the feline pain puzzle and ensure your cat is happy and healthy for years to come.