How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain

Cats are masters of hiding pain. This isn’t stubbornness — it’s a survival instinct inherited from ancestors for whom showing weakness could attract predators. By the time a cat shows obvious signs of pain, they’ve often been suffering for a while. Learning to read the subtle signs is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a cat owner.

Changes in Behaviour

• Hiding more than usual — retreating to under beds, in cupboards, in unusual spots
• Reduced interaction — a normally affectionate cat becoming withdrawn
• Aggression when touched in a particular area — hissing or swatting at a previously unreactive spot
• Reduced grooming — a scruffy, matted coat often means a cat can’t or won’t groom
• Over-grooming a specific area — focused licking often indicates pain in that area
• Changes in litter box habits
• Reduced appetite
• Increased vocalisation — yowling or crying, especially at night

Changes in Movement and Posture

• Reluctance to jump up to previously favourite spots
• Stiff or stilted movement, especially after rest
• Hunched posture — back arched, head lowered
• Reluctance to be picked up
• Uneven or limping gait

Facial Expressions — The Feline Grimace Scale

A validated veterinary tool identifies specific facial indicators of pain:

• Orbital tightening — eyes narrowed when not sleepy
• Ear position — ears flattened sideways or rotated backward
• Whisker position — whiskers pulled back flat against the face
• Muzzle tension — the area around the nose and mouth looks tense
• Head position — head lower than normal, tucked toward the chest

What to Do

If you notice any of these signs — particularly a combination of several — don’t wait. Never give human pain medication to cats — ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin are all highly toxic and can be fatal.

You know your cat better than anyone. That quiet certainty that “something isn’t right” is often correct — and acting on it promptly is one of the kindest things you can do for your cat.