Do you ever try to mask unpleasant feelings with a smile, say you're fine when you're not, or just grin and bear it? Well, cats are experts at it, making it tricky to tell when something's wrong with your feline friend. But if cats hide their pain so well, how are you supposed to help them?
Cat parents understand the fine line between charming and frustrating when it comes to their pets’ subtleties. Of course, you want to give your cat the very best care, but this can become a real challenge when your pet’s a pro at keeping a poker face.
Why Cats Instinctively Hide Pain
Understanding why cats hide their pain and familiarizing yourself with the quiet warning signs goes a long way to improving your cat’s health and quality of life. The sooner you spot an issue, the faster you can act on it, and the better the outcome tends to be.
Survival Instincts
Your cat's tendency to mask pain has deep roots in feline evolution. In the wild, cats are predators and potential prey, so showing weakness makes them vulnerable. The consequences range from losing territory, missing out on food, or becoming lunch for a larger predator.
Domestic cats retain these instincts, evolving to conceal pain as much as possible. When the drive to survive kicks in, your cat wants to appear capable, strong, and healthy. Any sign of distress, such as limping or whining, jeopardizes the image they're trying to portray, so they hide their pain.
Independent Nature
Just think about the last time you tried to hold a cat that didn't want to be held. Cats love their independence, and they're naturally more independent than many other companion animals.
This is one of the reasons it's easier to plan an impromptu weekend getaway if you have a cat instead of a dog. Cats are more self-sufficient. Your feline friend is likely to handle things quite well on their own for a couple of days.
In the wild, cats don’t usually rely on social groups for survival in the same way pack animals do. This independence tends to reveal itself through fewer outward expressions of pain. Instead of seeking help or comfort from their owner, a cat’s instinct is more often to withdraw and cope quietly.
Cats Adapt to Pain Over Time
Another reason your cat’s pain can be hard to detect is that it could be from a condition that is developing slowly. Many common feline health issues that cats hide, including arthritis, kidney problems, and dental disease, progress gradually.
Therefore, the discomfort and pain associated with these conditions also build over time, giving your cat a chance to adapt their behavior instead of reacting suddenly. Consequently, it’s easy to mistake these subtle changes as part of normal aging and not something more serious.
Why Is Cat Pain So Easy to Miss?
Cats don’t typically cry out or limp dramatically when something is bothering them. Instead, pain presents itself through subtle behavior changes or tweaks to the routine. It’s easy to overlook a lot of these adjustments, especially if you live in a multi-cat household or have a busy schedule.
Unfortunately, many owners don’t realize something is wrong until the condition has advanced significantly. By then, weight loss and other serious complications could be more difficult to address, making treatment harder or even impossible.
6 Subtle Signs Your Cat May Be in Pain
Even though cats tend to hide pain instinctively, their bodies and behaviors still give clues. You just need to know what to look for so you can spot them.
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) has a checklist for signs that your cat is in pain. It’s a handy tool to keep close if your cat is a master of subtlety, so you can determine if your furry friend is hiding something from you.
Here are some of the main clues to keep an eye out for so you can get your cat the help they need.
Changes in Behavior
Any change in your cat’s usual behavior is worth paying attention to. Growling, hissing, swatting, avoiding being picked up, or sudden aggression toward people or pets are all potential signs of pain. However, it’s easy to misinterpret these behaviors as attitude problems.
But it isn’t just these more obvious behavior changes to worry about. One of the earliest signs of discomfort is a change in your cat’s daily routine.
For example, your cat usually greets you when you arrive home, but now they stay hidden. Even a seemingly tiny shift, like a new sleeping spot, can be a clue.
Other examples of daily changes in behavior are:
- Increased withdrawal or hiding more often
- Less interest in playing or interacting with others
- Sleeping more than usual
- Restlessness, pacing
Altered Mobility
Your cat doesn’t have to limp to signal that they’re having a mobility issue. Pain in the joints or muscles or internal discomfort could affect how your cat moves, sits, or even stands. Look for changes in posture or hesitation before jumping, rather than more obvious indicators.
Your cat may take stairs more slowly or avoid them completely. You may also notice they’re slower to rise after resting for a while and walking more stiffly.
Grooming Changes
Cats are known for being meticulous groomers, so any changes in grooming habits are a potential red flag. If you start to notice matted fur or other coat changes, or your cat is avoiding grooming entirely, take note.
Also, if your cat is over-grooming one particular area, this could also be a sign of pain. That spot could be causing some discomfort or other problems for your pet.
Litter Box Red Flags
Keep tabs on your cat’s litter box and pay attention to what you scoop, because it often reveals issues before anything else. If your cat avoids the litter box, it could mean it’s too painful to enter or exit.
Also, take note of more frequent trips to the litter box or any straining or vocalizing while your cat is trying to use it. These signs could indicate urinary tract infections, arthritis, gastrointestinal discomfort, or other medical concerns.
Changes in Appetite or Drinking
Dental pain, nausea, or stomach discomfort can all affect appetite, among other things. A cat in pain may eat less, more slowly, or not at all.
Likewise, look for any changes in your cat’s water intake, whether it’s drinking more or less. Also worth noting are any sudden weight changes, dropping food from the mouth, or leaving their food bowl untouched or mostly full.
Subtle Facial and Body Language Cues
Cats communicate through body language more than sound. Stay vigilant for squinted or half-closed eyes, flattened ears, or tucked paws. Other potential signs of pain are body tension and holding their tail low.
Of course, these things can signal other moods, too, so never assume. If you notice your cat doing anything unusual, take note and be more aware of their actions.
Also, keep in mind that signs can be extremely subtle. This is why many vets even use something called the Feline Grimace Scale© to rate cats’ pain based on their facial expressions.
How to Spot Trouble Early When Your Cat Is Hiding Pain
It’s easy to chalk up your cat’s different behavior to aging, but getting older doesn’t cause pain unless something else is at play. Fortunately, many age-related issues are treatable or manageable with veterinary care.
Know Your Cat
Most of your ability to spot signs your cat is in pain relies on noticing changes in your cat’s behavior. Therefore, you need to know your cat’s normal habits, including how they sleep, eat, move, and interact.
Perform Gentle Checks
Cats don’t always appreciate hands-on inspections, but brief, gentle checks can help you notice changes early. Run your hands along your cat’s body to check for lumps or sensitivity. Regularly check your cat’s teeth and gums and monitor their overall body condition and weight.
When to Call the Veterinarian
If you notice ongoing changes that last more than a day or two, or any sudden behavioral shift, contact your vet. Immediate care is vital, especially if your cat stops eating for over 24 hours, won’t come out of hiding, or has trouble urinating.
Any respiratory distress or collapse is also grounds for an immediate trip to the vet or emergency clinic. Early intervention often means simpler, less expensive treatment, less discomfort, and better chances for a positive long-term outcome.
Is Your Cat in Pain? Listen for the Quiet Signals
Modern veterinary medicine offers many options to treat pain in cats, whether it’s giving your pet medication or making environmental adjustments. Your cat may require a different bed, ramps, or a lower-entry litter box to improve their quality of life.
But before your cat can get the treatment they need, you need to know something is wrong. So keep a close eye on your cat, know their normal behavior, and stay alert for any changes.
Cats may not cry out when they’re in pain, but they still communicate. Their signals are just quieter than those of many other pets. By learning to read these subtle changes and trusting your instincts, you become your cat’s strongest advocate.
To find more helpful tips for pet-parenting, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog!