How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain? Look for These 14 Common Signs

Cats have the impressive ability to soothe their stress and heal their bones by purring. And they’re also experts at hiding their pain. A cat may cry out or howl if they’re in severe discomfort, but they may not show any signs of long-term pain.

Since your cat may hide that they’re not feeling well, it’s important to pick up on subtle signs that they’re not OK. The sooner the problem is addressed, the sooner your cat can go back to living a healthy and happy life.

Signs of pain in cats

Signs of pain in cats can be physical, behavioral, or mobility related, said Erick Mears, DVM, DACVIM, a veterinarian at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Tampa, Florida.

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Their symptoms may vary depending on the cause, but any of these 14 signs could indicate that your cat is in pain.

1. Trembling or tenseness

If your cat is trembling or tense, they could be experiencing muscle, bone, or abdominal pain.

2. Increased respiratory rate and heart rate

If your pet is in severe pain, their heart rate and breathing rate may increase. If you suspect something is wrong, watch your cat’s chest and stomach muscles to see if their breathing is labored.

3. Grimacing

The Feline Grimace Scale can be used to identify signs of pain in cats based on their facial expressions. The scale looks at the position of a cat’s:

• Ears

• Whiskers

• Eyes

• Muzzle

If a cat has squinty eyes, drooping whiskers, and lowered ears, they may be in moderate or severe pain. Cats often squint their eyes when they have body pain or pain from an eye-related injury or infection.

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“When people are sick, you can see that their eyes are down when they are uncomfortable. Animals can do that too — where their eyes are not fully open and not as bright or responsive,” Mears said.

4. Hunched posture

A cat’s head position can also indicate the severity of their pain. If a cat has hunched-over shoulders and a lowered head, they could be in mild or moderate pain.

5. Drooling

Your cat may drool if they are in pain. This can occur for a number of reasons, such as:

• Dental issues

• Tongue problems

• Oral disease

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea

• Pancreatitis

6. Arched back and tucked belly

Abdominal pain and issues with the spine are common reasons a cat might exhibit an abnormal posture. But any kind of pain can cause this symptom, which often appears as an arched back and a tucked abdomen.

7. Decreased appetite

Lack of appetite is one of the measures of general cat health, Mears said. “Any litany of things could cause decreased appetite,” he said, adding that pain is one of them.

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8. Hiding and decreased socializing

If your cat has any type of pain, they may go into hiding and not want to socialize. You might notice them in unusual spots, including:

• Under the bed

• In the closet

• Behind furniture

• In small, dark spaces around your home

9. Not using the litter box

Cats who are in pain may stop using their litter box. This is especially true if:

• They have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

• They are a male cat experiencing a urethral block, which makes it difficult to urinate.

• They have arthritic joints, which prevent them from comfortably getting in and out of the litter box.

10. Sleeping more than usual

Cats tend to sleep 50% to 75% of the day. If your cat is in pain, they may be less active and resort to sleeping more than usual.

11. Aggression

If your cat is in acute or severe pain, they may growl, hiss, or even bite. They may also pin their ears back.

12. Vocalizing more than usual

Your cat may be more vocal when they’re in acute or severe pain. This could mean:

• Purring

• Meowing

• Hissing

• Growling

13. Decreased grooming

If your cat has arthritis or generalized pain, they may not want to groom themselves. You may notice that they’re not grooming as much — with their paws and tongue — or that they look unkempt.

14. Difficulty with movement

If your cat has arthritis or a physical injury, they could have problems moving around. For example, your cat may:

• Struggle to get up from lying down

• Tremble when moving

• Exhibit limping

• Avoid jumping onto taller surfaces

• Not want to be picked up

• Protect the part of their body that’s in pain

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• Keep away from OTC meds: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help your pain, but these and almost all over-the-counter medications are toxic to cats.

• Managing arthritis: Many cats develop joint issues as they age. Learn about the most common treatments for arthritis in cats.

• Acupuncture for cats: Could this treatment help your cat? Read how one owner used acupuncture to help her cat.

When should you take your cat to the vet for pain?

If your cat is showing signs of pain, such as a limp or a change in posture, but they otherwise seem normal, wait 24 hours to see if things improve, Mears said. If their symptoms don’t improve, take them to the vet.

But if your cat shows signs of more severe pain, like biting or constant howling, they need immediate attention.

What causes pain in cats?

There are some common reasons that cats experience pain. Below, we look at the main causes. 

Arthritis

Arthritis, which causes painful joints and decreased mobility, commonly affects cats. But it is particularly hard to diagnose, according to Ari Zabell, DVM, DABVP, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Vancouver, Washington.

Additional signs of arthritis in cats include:

• Having dandruff or a scruffy or matted coat because they are unable to groom themselves

• Being unable to get onto and off their favorite perch, like their cat tree or a table

• Being unable to use their litter box or squat once inside, causing them to go elsewhere

Dental problems

Dental problems can be very painful for cats and may cause them to stop eating, leading to other health problems.

Cats commonly develop gingivitis, in which the gums become inflamed because of plaque buildup. This can lead to periodontitis, an irreversible condition. Periodontitis causes the tissues around the teeth to break down, causing tooth loss.

Cancer

Similar to humans, cats who have cancer often experience pain. The best way to relieve this pain is by eliminating the underlying cause. Some cats may need to have a tumor surgically removed, while others may need radiation or chemotherapy.

UTIs

Be aware if you notice your cat struggling to use their litter box or urinating more frequently. These are common signs of a UTI in cats. These infections can be:

• Bacterial

• Fungal

• Parasitic

• Viral

And they may lead cats to lick their genital area more often, which could cause more pain.

What can you give your cat for pain?

Your veterinarian may prescribe the following pain medications for your cat.

Robenacoxib

Robenacoxib (Onsior) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps relieve pain and inflammation in cats and comes in the form of a tablet or an injection.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine (Buprenex) is an opioid that is used as an injectable or an oral spray or suspension to treat mild or moderate pain in cats in the short term. It is often used to treat postsurgery pain.

Prednisolone

Prednisolone is a steroid that is given to cats who are experiencing pain due to an inflammatory condition. It can also be given during cancer treatment or as a treatment for joint pain or allergies. It may cause cats to excessively drink water or urinate as a side effect. It may also increase their appetite.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin can be given by mouth as a tablet or an oral suspension to treat chronic pain in cats related to their:

• Muscles

• Bones

• Tendons

• Ligaments

• Nerves

Gabapentin is also being increasingly used to treat anxiety in cats. The dose depends on the size of your cat, but it generally does not exceed 50 mg to 100 mg.

Amitriptyline

For pain caused by a nervous system problem, a type of antidepressant called amitriptyline (Elavil, Levate) may be prescribed. This medication is often given to cats for pain, along with an opioid or an NSAID.

Amantadine

Amantadine (Symmetrel) is a medication that may help treat moderate or severe nerve pain or cancer pain in cats. It’s often prescribed alongside another pain medication to help give cats increased pain relief.

It’s very important to follow the dose prescribed by your cat’s veterinarian. If they’re given too much of the medication, cats can overdose relatively easily with amantadine.

Frunevetmab

Frunevetmab (Solensia) is the first medication approved by the FDA to treat arthritis pain in cats. The injectable medication is given at the vet’s office once a month. And the dose is based on your cat’s weight.

Can you give your cat over-the-counter pain medications?

No, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers for humans — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) — are toxic to cats. Aspirin in particular is incredibly toxic and should never be given to cats unless a veterinarian recommends it for heart disease.

If your cat ingests any of these OTC pain medications, take them to the veterinarian right away. The following are signs of toxicity and side effects of consuming aspirin in cats:

• Stomach upset, which causes nausea and diarrhea

• Stomach and intestinal ulceration

• Possible kidney failure

• Inability to clot blood

Natural pain relief for cats

In addition to medication, there are natural ways you can address your cat’s pain.

Home improvements

If your cat has arthritis or related mobility issues, you can make their life a bit more comfortable by making the following changes, recommended by Zabell:

• Replace your cat’s litter box with one that has lower walls, so it’s easier for them to climb in and out of it.

• If your house has multiple floors, consider having more than one litter box, in the event that your cat can’t go up and down stairs easily.

• Use carpeted steps to help your cat get to their favorite areas, like the bed or a window perch.

• Consider using raised food bowls to relieve strain on your cat’s neck and back.

Weight loss

Losing weight can help your cat experience less pain, since it can relieve pressure from their joints. To help your cat lose excess pounds, your veterinarian may suggest switching to a canned diet or prescription weight-loss diet. Try not to leave food out for them to graze on, and measure out their food at each meal.

A positive relationship

A healthy relationship with your cat can go a long way in helping them feel comfortable and reduce their behaviors associated with pain. Any activity that results in a positive emotional state can help. This includes following a consistent schedule so your cat knows when to expect:

• Meals

• Grooming

• Petting

• Playtime

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Written by:

Lavanya Sunkara

Lavanya Sunkara is a writer and animal lover living in the suburbs of New York City. She has been a pet writer for more than a decade and is passionate about animal causes.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

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