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Signs Your Cat Is in Pain: How to Recognize Hidden Symptoms

Cats are experts at hiding pain. In the wild, showing weakness makes them vulnerable, so domestic cats still instinctively mask discomfort—even when they are suffering.

This is why many cats are only taken to the vet when pain becomes severe or life-threatening. Knowing the early and subtle signs of pain in cats can help you act sooner, reduce suffering, and avoid expensive emergency vet visits.

This guide explains:

  • Physical and behavioral signs of pain in cats

  • Different types of pain (acute vs chronic)

  • Common medical causes

  • When pain becomes an emergency

  • What to do next as a responsible cat owner


Cat hiding pain and discomfort, a common sign of illness in cats


🚨 Why Cat Pain Is Often Missed

Unlike dogs, cats rarely:

  • Cry loudly

  • Limp obviously

  • Seek comfort when hurt

Instead, cats withdraw, hide, and act “quiet.” Many owners mistake this for normal behavior or aging.

By the time pain is obvious, the condition may already require urgent veterinary treatment.

🔍 Common Signs Your Cat Is in Pain

1️⃣ Hiding More Than Usual

One of the earliest and most important signs of pain.

Watch for:

  • Hiding under beds or furniture

  • Staying in closets or dark corners

  • Avoiding people or other pets

👉 If hiding is new, persistent, and combined with appetite changes, a vet visit is strongly recommended.


2️⃣ Reduced Appetite or Not Eating

Pain often causes nausea and stress, leading to appetite loss.

Possible pain-related causes:

  • Dental disease

  • Kidney disease

  • Arthritis

  • Internal injury

⚠️ Cats that stop eating are at risk of fatty liver disease, which can become fatal.

3️⃣ Changes in Grooming Habits

Pain affects grooming behavior in two ways:

  • Overgrooming one painful area (belly, joints)

  • Neglecting grooming, causing a dull or matted coat

Both patterns are red flags.

4️⃣ Aggression or Irritability

Cat showing aggression caused by pain

A normally friendly cat may:

  • Hiss

  • Growl

  • Bite or swat

  • Avoid being touched

This is often a defensive response to pain, not “bad behavior.”

5️⃣ Changes in Body Posture or Movement

Pain can affect how a cat moves or rests.

Signs include:

  • Hunched posture

  • Stiff or slow movement

  • Reluctance to jump

  • Limping (often subtle)

These are common in arthritis, injuries, and abdominal pain.

6️⃣ Vocalization Changes

Cats may vocalize more—or less—when in pain.

Watch for:

  • Sudden loud crying

  • Yowling

  • Growling when touched

Persistent or unusual vocalization should never be ignored.

7️⃣ Litter Box Changes

Cat showing litter box pain symptoms

Pain often shows up in the litter box.

Red flags:

  • Straining to urinate or defecate

  • Going outside the litter box

  • Crying in the box

  • Blood in urine or stool

⚠️ Urinary pain—especially in male cats—is a medical emergency.

8️⃣ Rapid Breathing or Shallow Breaths

Pain can cause breathing changes.

Emergency signs:

  • Fast breathing at rest

  • Shallow breaths

  • Open-mouth breathing

👉 These symptoms require immediate veterinary care.

9️⃣ Dilated Pupils or Facial Changes

Cats in pain may show:

  • Dilated pupils

  • Squinting or closed eyes

  • Flattened ears

  • Tense facial muscles

Vets often use feline pain scales based on facial expression.

🔟 Lethargy and Withdrawal

Lethargic cat showing signs of pain

Pain drains energy.

Signs include:

  • Sleeping more than usual

  • Lack of interest in play

  • Staying in one spot

If lethargy lasts more than 24 hours, it’s time to call a vet.

🩺 Common Medical Causes of Pain in Cats

Pain can come from many conditions, including:

  • Dental disease

  • Arthritis and joint disease

  • Kidney disease

  • Urinary tract problems

  • Gastrointestinal disorders

  • Infections

  • Injuries or trauma

  • Cancer

Many of these conditions are manageable when caught early.

🚑 When Cat Pain Is an Emergency

Seek urgent or emergency vet care if your cat shows:

  • Not eating for 24+ hours

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Collapse or extreme weakness

  • Crying in the litter box

  • Pale, blue, or yellow gums

  • Sudden aggression with pain signs

❌ What NOT to Do

  • ❌ Do NOT give human pain medication (toxic to cats)

  • ❌ Do NOT force movement

  • ❌ Do NOT assume pain is “just old age”

Only a veterinarian can safely diagnose and treat pain.

🐾 How Vets Manage Pain in Cats

A veterinary clinic may use:

  • Diagnostic tests (blood work, imaging)

  • Prescription pain medication (cat-safe only)

  • Anti-inflammatory treatment

  • Dental procedures

  • Diet and lifestyle adjustments

Early pain management improves comfort and reduces long-term costs.

🐱 Final Thoughts

If your cat’s behavior has changed—even slightly—listen to that signal. Cats don’t complain loudly, but they do communicate through behavior.

Recognizing the signs your cat is in pain can:

  • Prevent suffering

  • Reduce emergency vet bills

  • Improve quality of life

  • Extend lifespan

When in doubt, it’s always better to check with a veterinarian early.


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