9 Signs Your Cat Is in Pain

Penny Paws | October 1, 2024

A cat in pain may be unable to communicate its health problems with you, but you can deduce from its behavior that something isn’t right. Before taking your cat to a vet in North Richland Hills, ensure you understand the signs that they’re sick or in pain. The team at Penny Paws Animal Clinic is here to break down all of the common signs of a cat being in pain and ways that you can bring them relief. 

Common Signs That Cats Are in Pain

Cats may have different personalities, but they all tend to exhibit the same set of behaviors when they’re in pain or feeling sick. Check out the top warning signs that your cat’s feeling under the weather. 

1. Increased Vocalization (Meowing, Howling)

Your cat could be extremely quiet or consistently meow to you for attention. When something’s wrong, both quiet and vocal pets will speak up by frequently meowing. The sound could even turn into a howling noise for cats in severe pain. 

2. Appetite Changes

A telltale sign of a cat in pain involves their eating habits. Many cats struggle with a reduced appetite when their health starts to decline and they may refuse to eat. This new behavior warrants a trip to the vet since your cat needs food and nutrients to keep their strength up. 

3. Unusual Posture

Pay attention to any changes in posture (arched back, tense body) your cat exhibits. This could be their way of shielding their body from further pain or discomfort. 

4. Hiding or Avoiding Interaction

If you can’t find your cat for long periods, they might be hiding as a way to cope with their physical discomfort. Cats often avoid socialization when they’re feeling sick and may retreat to some of their favorite hiding spots like underneath beds or behind furniture. 

5. Limping or Difficulty Moving

Both internal and physical injuries can prevent a cat from moving as swiftly as they once did. You may notice a limp when the cat walks or any of the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty when your pet gets up from lying down
  • No longer jumping onto their favorite furniture
  • Trembling when moving
  • Protecting a certain body part, such as a hind leg

6. Poor Grooming

Cats regularly take care of their fur by spending part of every day grooming themselves. If your cat’s grooming behavior suddenly changes, it could mean they’re in too much pain to do this daily task. Their fur may become scruffy or matted due to a lack of grooming, and you might even notice areas of patchy fur on them.

7. Excessive Drooling

A cat in pain could begin drooling uncontrollably due to several health issues. Pay attention to your cat’s mouth and whether it looks normal or if there’s a large amount of drool. 

8. Lethargy

It’s no secret that cats love to spend time sleeping. The average cat can sleep up to 16 hours every day, so you might not think that anything is wrong if they already love to snooze. However, cats experiencing physical discomfort will naturally become less active and want to sleep more. 

You might notice signs of lethargy in cats if they’re normally active at certain times of day or move slower than normal when they’re awake. 

9. Bathroom Accidents

Cats instinctively know how to use a litter box from a young age. Therefore, if your feline friend suddenly stops using their box and having accidents around the house, you know something is wrong. They could be in pain due to changes in their urinary tract or even their joints, making them unable to get in and out of the litter box. 

What To Do If Your Cat Is in Pain

The best thing to do for a cat exhibiting the signs of pain is to bring them to a qualified veterinarian. The issue may not resolve itself and ignoring your cat’s symptoms could cause them to worsen. Veterinarians will examine your cat for common illnesses that affect the species and recommend a course of treatment to help them feel better and extend their life. 

Health Issues That May Lead to a Cat in Pain

Until you bring your cat to a vet clinic, you won’t know what’s wrong with them. Below are some of the most common diseases and ailments that cause cats pain as well as ways that doctors treat them.

Poor Dental Health

Excessive drooling may indicate a wide range of dental problems in cats, including:

  • Gingivitis
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth loss

These problems can also deter pets from eating because it’s painful to chew their food. Your vet may prescribe medication to ease your cat’s pain though other treatment plans could be necessary, depending on the extent of the dental problems. 

Arthritis

Arthritic cats experience painful, stiff joints that prevent them from doing basic tasks like jumping onto surfaces, using a litter box, and even grooming themselves. A cat in pain due to arthritis may experience these issues and more.

Let your veterinarian know about the problems your cat is having and they can test for arthritis. Oral medications and anti-inflammatory injections can provide your pet with some pain relief. 

Cancer

Just like humans, cats can endure different types of cancer that affect their overall health. The symptoms of a cat with cancer can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Treatment options range from surgically removing a tumor to administering radiation or chemotherapy to the pet. 

Receive Superior Veterinary Care at Penny Paws Animal Clinic

As a pet owner, you want the best for your four-legged friend and shouldn’t ignore sudden behavior changes like lethargy in cats. Knowing the signs of a cat in pain allows you to be proactive and seek veterinary treatment at the first sign of trouble. Bring your cat to Penny Paws Animal Clinic and let our doctors diagnose the reason behind their decline in health. 

We have several locations throughout Texas as well as mobile vaccine clinics. Call our Richland Hills clinic, today at (817) 284-7297 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.