CatHealth · 6 min read ·
Is my cat in pain? Quiet signs to watch for
Cats are experts at hiding discomfort. These small changes are often the first clue.
General information only. If you're worried about your pet, call us on 210 000 0000.
Why cats hide pain
In the wild, showing weakness makes a cat vulnerable. That instinct is still strong in our pet cats, so they often carry on as normal until discomfort is quite advanced.
This means we have to look for small changes rather than obvious limping or crying.
Signs to look for at home
Watch for less grooming or over-grooming one spot, hesitation before jumping, sleeping in new places, and using the litter box less or outside it.
Faces tell us a lot too. Squinting, flattened ears and a tense muzzle are all part of the Feline Grimace Scale vets use.
What to do next
Note what you've seen and when it started. A short video helps a lot.
Book a check-up. Many causes of pain, like arthritis and dental disease, are very treatable.
