It can be easy to miss the signs your cat is sick; they don't all resemble the colds that people contract from time to time. Cats have a tendency to hide their pain, making it difficult to properly care for them when they need it the most. But if you know what to look for, you can recognize cat pain symptoms early and get your kitty the help they need.
Why Cats Hide Their Pain
The tendency cats have to disguise their discomfort is believed to be an evolutionary holdover from their days in the wild, where illness or injury paints a target on their back to nearby predators. Not only would the appearance of weakness make a wild cat more vulnerable, but it would also put them in danger of being bullied or abandoned by their group.
Although today's domestic cats generally don't have to worry about becoming prey, they may view other pets in the house–or even other people–as competition for resources like food and water. Whether driven by a deeply ingrained instinct or by overprotective kitty logic, cats worry that showing signs of pain will cause them to lose out to a more deserving animal, encouraging them to mask their symptoms.
Common Cat Pain Symptoms
A cat experiencing pain will often display behavioral changes that can serve to tip off an astute pet parent to the fact that something's wrong. According to Vetstreet, common signs your cat is sick or in pain include:
- Hiding
- Sitting still and hunched up
- Loss of interest in people, other pets, or activities
- Neglecting to groom themselves, or over-grooming in one spot
- Purring, excessive meowing, or unusual vocalizations
- Restlessness or aggression toward friendly surroundings
- Doing their business outside the litter box
Kitties in pain might also show a loss of appetite, unusual vomiting, clingy behavior, or other noticeable changes in personality and demeanor. A cat experiencing chronic pain, such as arthritis, might stop using the litter box altogether because it's too difficult to climb into. For this reason, they may also stop climbing or jumping onto the high perches of their cat tree.
Tasty Tips
How Your Vet Can Help
Any abnormal behavior from your cat should prompt a visit to their veterinarian, who can help determine whether these changes are due to pain or illness and then work with you to treat the underlying cause. The vet can also help with pain management–this might include prescription pain medication, heat therapy, physical rehabilitation, or even massage.
If your kitty is overweight, your vet might also place them on a weight-management food, especially if they're experiencing chronic joint pain. Certain joint supplements can help maintain their mobility too, but you may ultimately want to explore a therapeutic food to help manage an underlying condition.
One thing you should never do for your kitty is to administer over-the-counter pain medications, which could be very toxic to feline digestive systems. You should also check with your vet regarding any supplements you plan to give them to make sure they're safe. The vet might also prescribe mood-stabilizing drugs to help your sick cat cope with both the pain and accompanying changes in their lifestyle.
How You Can Help
Back at home, consider relocating their bed, food dishes, water bowls, and litter box so they're easier for them to get to. Make sure the litter box is simple enough to climb in and out of as well. If you have a model with a lid or deep sides, for instance, you might need to replace it with an open, shallower structure, and keep it scooped clean more frequently to be more accommodating. Also, preventing other pets or children from trying to play or roughhouse with them is a good idea,
Of course, the best medicine is preventive. Annual vet checkups and a well-balanced food will go a long way toward preventing your cat from developing a painful condition.
As a pet parent, you no doubt want your kitty to be healthy for their entire life. Learning to recognize when they're in pain will go a long way to improving your furry companion's quality of life.
Related products
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Chicken Dinner Cat Food
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken, Barley & Whole Oats Recipe Cat Food
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Medley cat food
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Liver & Chicken Entrée
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Tender Tuna Dinner Cat Food
Delectable chunks with tender tuna smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Entrée Variety Pack
Feline Sensitive Stomach & Skin Variety Pack
Hill's Science Diet Kitten No Corn, Wheat, Soy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Supports healthy brain, eye & immune system development
Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken
Hill's Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner cat food
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Delicious taste of gourmet chicken in precisely balanced nutrition. Provide a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
null Hill's Science Diet Kitten with Salmon
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced salmon to help build immunity and a healthy digestive system
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Spinach Casserole Cat Food
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Cat Food
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition (USA Study)
Hill's Science Diet Adult Savory Salmon Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced salmon to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Indoor Chicken Recipe
Healthy digestion for easy litter box clean-up
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Indoor Chicken Recipe Cat Food
Supports energy level and beautiful fur in mature indoor cats
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Savory Turkey Entrée Cat Food
Delicious taste of gourmet minced turkey in precisely balanced nutrition. Provide a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity level.
Hill's Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Tender Chicken & Rice Medley
Delicious tender chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce with precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Related articles
Helping Your Cat Lose Weight: Cat Foods for Weight Loss and Exercise Tips
How do you get a cat to lose weight? Learn all about cat foods for weight loss, including how to choose weight control cat food and exercise tips.
Can Cats Have Pumpkin? (& Is It Healthy?)
Learn whether or not its healthy for cats to eat pumpkin, how much would be an appropriate amount, and types of pumpkin that you might want to avoid.
Using Your Kid's Old Toys as Homemade Cat Toys
Learn how to turn your surplus of old children's toys into repurposed cat toys, entertaining your cat for hours and saving you money.
When Does a Cat's Play Aggression Cross the Line?
Learn tips for identifying and minimizing overly aggressive play cats, such as adopting positive play techniques with your feline friend.
Tips for Socializing Your Kitten with People & Other Pets
It's important to introduce your new kitten to kids, strangers and family pets early in their development to help raise a well-adjusted, socializing cat.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats: Signs & Prevention
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Cats: Signs & Prevention
Cat Training: How to Train Your Cat the Easy Way
Discover how to train your cat, starting with very basic first steps that both reward good behavior and discourage the bad.
Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
Chocolate is known to be poisonous for dogs, but it can also be toxic for cats. Learn why chocolate is bad for cats & what to do if she's eaten it.
Probiotics and Prebiotics for Cats
Learn all about probiotics and prebiotics for cats, including what they are, how they work, how they are different and their role in overall cat health and well-being.
Cat Travel Checklist: All the Things You Need
Going on vacation? Use this cat travel checklist to make sure you've got all her important supplies, such as food, toys & her vet info, for your trip.
Overweight Cat? Slim Down with These Activities
Learn how meal planning, exercise and activity can help your overweight cat get to a healthy and happy weight.
Simple Ways to Keep Your Senior Cat Moving
Even though your senior cat may be slowing down a bit, you can still help her stay active. Learn ways to keep her both physically & mentally involved.
Gingivitis in Cats: Causes, Signs, Treatment & Prevention
Learn helpful info about gingivitis in cats, the most common oral disease among cats, including what it is, causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention tips.
Unlock Cat Genetics for Purrfect Health
Learn about the influence of cat genetics on various aspects such as coat color, personality, and susceptibility to certain diseases and the nutrition they may need.
What to Expect at Your Kitten's 6-Month Health Check
We advise a 6-month health check up for any new kitten to ensure it's in good health condition. Read more about what to expect at your visit.
Cat Heart Health and Feline Heart Disease
Learn more about the causes of feline heart disease and the signs you can watch out for to promote heart health in your cat.
Your Cat is Always Hungry: What Should You Do?
Learn why your cat might show signs of being overly hungry, if there could be an underlying medical concern, and options to help them control their hunger.
Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws? Can it Become Excessive?
Learn common reasons why cats lick their paws, as well as signs when it might be excessive (such as hair loss) & what to do if it seems like a problem.
Using Positive Reinforcement when Training Your Kitten
Learn how positive reinforcements can reward your kitten for good behavior while their still young to set them up for success when they get older.
Cat Dry Nose: When to Be Concerned
Learn the reasons why your cat's nose may be dry and whether it might be a sign of a larger concerning issue or a common symptom of something smaller.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.