When your cat is in pain, there are often telltale signs they will demonstrate as a signal to you that they are in distress. Cats don’t have the ability to communicate with us each and everything that they are feeling, so by keeping a watchful eye this will help to not let issues go unnoticed. Here are 8 ways to tell if your cat is in pain:
1. Be Observant as Much as Possible
Cats can sometimes keep their pain to themselves so try your best to be aware of their mood and behavior on a day-to-day basis. If you notice any sudden changes in your cat, such as unusual anti-social behavior, this may be a sign that your cat is in pain. Sometimes cats will prefer to retreat when they are in pain, choosing to keep to themselves to prevent further injury.
Source: Kārlis Dambrāns via Flickr
2. Your Cat’s Food Bowl Stays Untouched
Much similar to humans, when cats are in pain they may appear to have a sudden disinterest in eating. Severe pain can lead to nausea or loss of appetite so use this as a sign that something is up with your kitty.
Source: Wendy Cope via Flickr
3. Restless as a Means to Deal with the Pain
Many cat owners can attest to their cat’s love of sleeping, so if you see that your cat can no longer sit still and get cozy than something is certainly going on. As a way to deal with their onset of pain, your cat may be restless since they are having a hard time finding a comfortable position.
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4. Your Cat Suddenly Avoids Jumping
If a cat has injured their paw or leg, they are probably not going to want to exert any pressure whatsoever on their ailing body part. Cats are notorious for being fond of high places, so if you notice that your cat is no longer jumping (and specifically staying low) this is a red flag something is up.
5. There is Special Attention Garnered to a Specific Area on the Body
When a cat is hurting on a particular spot on their body, you will notice that they are giving lots of undivided attention to that region. Usually this will be in the form of excessive grooming, as they do this hoping to “heal” what is ailing them.
6. Purring that Doesn’t Stop
It’s most certainly untrue that cat’s only purr when they are happy. Purring is a powerful attribute, that allows cats to heal themselves through the use of strong vibrations to treat bones, etc. If your cat is a constant purring machine it’s definitely time to take them to the vet to be seen.
Source: Chris Brooks via Flickr
7. Howling, Growling or Hissing
Cats use these noises as a defense mechanism, and often never towards their owners who they care deeply for. By making these noises, especially when you are trying to give them affection with petting, this is a red flag that something is ailing your feline friend. A cat that is in pain might be trying to get your attention the only way they know how, by the use of their voice to tell you what is ailing them.
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8. Strange Seating or Sleeping Positions
To remedy their pain, a cat that is hurting may develop some seriously interesting ways of lounging or sleeping as not to put any added pressure on their wounded body. Not all wounds bleed or are easily recognizable, and a cat that is hurt does this to try and alleviate any added discomfort by carefully choosing their seated position.