Cats are the most secretive of our animal companions They’ve retained more of their independent nature than other pets, and if they’re hurting they’ll do their very best to hide it. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for you as an owner to spot signs a cat is in pain. And if you don’t know, you can’t help them.
A recent study has identified twenty-five cat pain symptoms. Some are hard to miss, others are easily overlooked. As an owner asking ‘Is my cat in pain?’ knowing about the more subtle signs will help you to notice problems at an earlier stage.
These signs and symptoms were identified by an international panel of veterinary experts as being likely to indicate that a cat is hurting:
Cats are generally extremely agile. When you’re wondering how to tell if your cat is in pain; looking at the way they move is a good starting point.
Cats can be moody anyway, but if they’re hurting they’re more likely to display some of these changes:
There is no one definitive cat in pain sound, but any of the following could indicate that there’s something wrong.
There are a few other things, that don’t fit easily into a category but which any owner asking ‘how do I know if my cat is in pain?’ should be aware of:
This list isn’t definitive, there are a few other signs and symptoms that might indicate that your cat is uncomfortable. These include accelerated breathing, panting, and surprisingly purring, though of course cats can also purr in contentment. The better you know your cat, the more you will be able to recognise changes that tell you that all is not well.
The first priority is to identify the reason for the discomfort. Sometimes this is obvious, an injury you can see, or maybe your pet is recovering from an operation. In these cases, your vet will be able to advise you on how best to support your feline companion and speed their recovery. Don’t be tempted to give your cat human pain medications. Their biochemistry is very different to ours and some common painkillers are toxic for cats.
Sometimes the cause of pain is not obvious, and especially in an older and much-loved companion, it’s easy to fear the worst. Maybe your cat has a degenerative condition that can’t be cured or even a terminal illness. This is possible of course but it’s worth remembering that while sometimes putting a cat to sleep is the right thing to do, there’s also a lot that can be done to manage pain and make your friend’s life more comfortable.
It’s always worth seeking veterinary advice as soon as you spot a problem because the sooner the pain is addressed the better for your cat. And of course, your first priority is to do the best for them you can.
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