How do I know if my cat is in pain?
Cats now live longer than they ever have, and they also experience the physical deterioration and debilitation that goes along with aging. This physical deterioration includes the development of osteoarthritis, which involves painful inflammation of the joints.
Cats have an instinct to hide or mask pain, making pain difficult to diagnose. A cat’s human family members are in the best position to identify subtle changes in behavior that may signal pain. Look for the following changes in your cat, which signal the need to visit your veterinarian.
Vocalizing
- Meowing more than normal
- Purring at times you would not normally expect it
- Growling or hissing when approached by human family members or other animal members of the family
Changes in Activities of Daily Living
- Pacing or restlessness (may indicate that your cat can’t get comfortable lying down)
- Repeatedly getting up and lying down (may indicate that your cat can’t find a comfortable position)
- Less energy or decreased endurance for previously enjoyable activities, such as chasing toys or play hunting
- Trembling rear legs when standing still or at rest
- Reluctance to go up or down stairs or to jump onto furniture, cat trees, or windowsills
- Walking with a limp
- New aversion to walking on slick floor surfaces
Changes in Daily Habits
- Too little grooming: Most cats with osteoarthritis stop grooming themselves as well as they used to. They develop a messy hair coat and may become matted over their painful body parts.
- Too much grooming: Some cats that are in pain will over-groom and traumatize the skin of the areas where they are sore, leading to baldness or irritated skin.
- Social changes: Cats in pain may withdraw from their usual family interactions, may become less engaged in their surroundings, and may start hiding.
- Decreased eating and/or drinking
- Changes in sleeping patterns: Some cats in pain may sleep more, while others sleep less. They may sleep in an unusual position, or they may sleep in odd places.
- Changes in elimination: Some cats in pain start having house-soiling problems because it is uncomfortable to get into and out of the littler box. They may have difficulty squatting, and as a result, urinate over the edge of the litter box.
Changes in Facial Expressions
- A facial expression that could be described as a grimace
- A vacant stare (staring into space)
- Squinting or appearing half asleep
- Whiskers may be straight out and slightly forward
Uncharacteristic Aggression
- Growling or hissing when people or other pets in the household approach
- Lashing out if handled
- Avoiding or resenting being brushed or combed
- Avoiding or resenting being picked up and held
- Adopting a defensive posture at all times, even when lounging around the house
- Watching everything carefully to avoid painful encounters
Abnormal Postures
Standing with front legs back under the chest to take some weight off painful hips or rear legs- Tucking her legs underneath her body when lying down, instead of stretching out on her side
- Avoiding or having difficulty scratching
- Avoiding stretching
Watch your cat closely, as any of these changes may indicate pain and should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention. The sooner pain is recognized and managed, the better you will maintain your cat’s quality of life and their enjoyment of daily living activities.
