September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, but really pain awareness, especially cat pain, should be a year round priority. Cats are masters at hiding pain because, as a prey species, if they come off as vulnerable they may get plucked off by a predator. This instinctual behavior can make it difficult for cat parents to recognize when their feline friends are suffering because they may not show obvious signs of discomfort.
While my focus is on cat behavior, pain can manifest as behavior changes in cats. Untreated pain can lead to a behavioral intervention not working as well as expected or at all. Because of this, it’s important you know what to look for when your cat is pain so you can take them to a veterinarian for proper treatment.
Overt Signs Of Pain In Cats
Some signs of pain in cats may be obvious to even those not super familiar with cat behavior. The more straight forward manifestations of pain include:
- Avoiding jumping or climbing entirely
- Aggression when a painful area is touched
- Limping, stiff movements, avoiding using a particular limb, or other changes in gait/movement
- Increased meowing, yowling or other changes in vocalizations
- Lethargy or sleeping more
- Changes in appetite or not eating
Subtle Signs Of Cat Pain
While cats may exhibit overt signs of pain, there are many more subtle cues that often go unnoticed. In fact, I’ve had many clients who swore their cat was completely fine other than the behavior changes they hired me for help with. After a referral to their vet for examination, they’d often report back that something medical was going on.
My role in your cat’s wellbeing is the behavior and emotional component, but there are a few things I look that signal I should encourage a client to consult their veterinarian about pain. Often missed signs of pain in cats that you may be able to spot at home include:
- Behavior problems: Many of the common behavior problems I work with can be secondary to pain. Cat conflict, excessive vocalization, and aggression can all be signs of pain.
- Decreased normal cat behavior: Your cat may not seem as interested in play or pause before jumping on their favorite cat tree.
- Grooming issues: Excessive grooming or neglect of grooming can be signs of pain. Your cat may even develop mats which can be painful themselves.
- Litter box changes: Your cat may stop using the litter box, vocalize while using the litter box, or appear to strain. They may also position themselves in unusual ways when using the box or repeatedly go in and out of the litter box.
- Increased reactivity: Cats may become more sensitive to touch or sound due to pain. A previously snuggly cat may suddenly nip or bite.
Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list. These should clue you to talk to your veterinarian who will be better equipped to do a full examination to rule in or rule out medical reasons for the behavior.
How Can You Tell If Your Cat Is In Pain?
To help veterinarians accurately assess pain in cats, they may use several tools and techniques including pain scales, facial grimace scoring, or tracking behavior. I often suggest clients get video of their cat’s behavior to help their vet. In particular, how your cat walks or video of them jumping may be helpful to your vet so they can see how your cat acts in their normal environment. If you find this hard to do, setting up an indoor security camera is a great way to get your cat on camera.
It may also help your vet to get video of your cat head on so they can evaluate their face using a facial grimace scale. If you have anything you’re specifically concerned about, get video of it and bring it to your cat’s vet appointment. Your vet can let you know what they need to see, but having videos on hand may speed up the process.
When To Seek Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary care is important to make sure your cat lives a long, healthy life even if they don’t seem to be in discomfort. If you notice any signs of pain in your cat or you aren’t sure, don’t delay consulting your veterinarian. Early detection and treatment of the underlying cause can significantly improve your cat’s quality of life.
Pain Management
Once a veterinarian has diagnosed the underlying cause of your cat’s pain, they can recommend appropriate treatment options. While I won’t go into details about treatment of pain because that’s up to your vet, there are treatment options for your cat’s pain available. Your veterinarian may choose a combination of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical options. Environmental modification can also help your cat lead a happy and comfortable life.
For example, if your cat has pain affecting movement, setting up a litter box that is easy to access (in other words, ditch the top entry litter box) can encourage continued litter box usage. You can also try a really soft type of litter so it’s easy on their paws. If they need help getting to a favorite resting spot, a set of stairs or a ramp can help them navigate their world easier.
Advocate For Your Cat
Unfortunately, much like how we’ve simply seen cats as easy versions of dogs for many years, we’ve simply accepted cats being in pain as being a normal thing for too long. Just because your cat is old doesn’t mean they have to live the rest of their lives being uncomfortable. If you feel your concerns aren’t being taken seriously, don’t be afraid to be polite but firm advocating for your cat or seek a second opinion. You’re not weird or asking to much to want your cat’s pain treated!
If you need some additional resources on cat pain, Tabitha Kucera, a veterinary technician who specializes in behavior, has some fantastic cat pain resources available for free on her website.
While your veterinarian is the appropriate person to talk to about pain, I’m happy to help with environmental modification or addressing any lingering behavior issues you are having after your cat’s pain is addressed. Just let me know what you need help with and we’ll come up with a plan!
