Recognition of Pain in a Cat

Minor Trauma

Flinching
Vocalisations
Attempt to escape
Aggression sometimes

Severe Injury

Hissing
Spitting
Aggressivity
Vigorous attempts to escape

Continuing Pain after trauma

Withdrawn and immobile
Rare vocalisations – occasional low growls
Tense demeanour
Distant demeanour
Possible hissing and spitting depending on the individual cat
Rapid breathing possible
Non-stop purring
Hunched back and other abnormal body positions

Later on after trauma

Attempts to hide
Reduced appetite

Chronic Pain (long term pain)

Cats try and hide the fact that they are not 100%
Alteration of behaviour
Reduced activity
Sleeping a lot
Hiding
Decreased interest in surroundings
Wanting to be left alone
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Signs are similar to those caused by diseases
May react when touched or handled
Irritability

Localised Pain

Abnormalities in posture
Lameness
Stiffness
Reluctance to do certain physical actions (jumping)

Links on Pain Relief

6 thoughts on “Recognition of Pain in a Cat”

Thanks Ruth. When she pops into my mind I shut it out because it is a bit too painful.

Michael don’t feel bad, cats like us, can live with a certain amount of pain and as long as Binnie had quality of life you couldn’t have her PTS could you!

Thanks Ruth. Pain in cats is hard to spot. You know I still feel bad about my Binnie. I still wonder if she was feeling pain in the last few months of her life. I hate to think that. Based on this page, it seems that she was.

Thanks Marc. I thought I’d just do it nice a simple because people speed read everything these days especially on the internet. There is an advantage to simple to-the-point articles.

This is very iuseful Michael – thank you – it’s something I always try to tell people when I encourage them to look out for their cat’s health. I always say that they dont show pain and to look for other signs.

I will bookmark this page.

A brilliant guide on knowing how cats react to pain Michael, this is certainly an article to share.