How do I know if my cat is in pain?
Signs that your cat is in pain - a guide for cat parents
Cats hide pain: an evolutionary survival trick
Luna has been lying around far more than usual for days. She's eating less. When you try to stroke her, she turns away. Is it laziness? A bad mood? Or a sign that something is wrong?
Cats are masters at hiding pain. In the wild, an injured animal signals weakness - an evolutionary disadvantage. That's why cats often show pain only through subtle changes in behaviour, which are easy to miss.
Behavioural changes: the most important signals
Withdrawal and hiding: a cat that suddenly stays under the bed or hides in unusual corners is sending a clear signal. This is one of the most common signs of pain.
Loss of appetite: if Biscuit suddenly barely eats, or just sniffs at his food and walks away, it's worth paying attention - especially if it lasts longer than 24 hours.
Changed grooming: a cat that suddenly stops grooming, or grooms much less, may be in pain. The opposite - excessive licking of one particular spot - can also point to pain.
Aggression or irritability: a normally gentle cat that suddenly hisses or scratches when touched may be reacting to pain. Note the spot she reacts to most.
Altered gait or posture: limping, a hunched back, an unusual sitting position - all of these can point to pain in the musculoskeletal system or the abdomen.
What your cat's face reveals
Vets use standardised pain scales for cats. Key signs in the face: squinted lids (half-closed eyes), flattened ears, a tense muzzle and pulled-back whiskers. A relaxed cat has alert eyes, upright ears and a loose posture.
You don't need to be a professional to spot these differences. If your cat looks different from usual - more worn out, more tense, smaller - take it seriously.
When you should act
If several of the signs above appear for more than 24 hours, a vet visit is needed. Don't wait too long: cats that hide pain for a long time only show it very late - and by then the illness may already be well advanced.
When in doubt: through the Lassie app you can consult a vet by telemedicine right away. Sometimes that's enough for an initial assessment - saving you an unnecessary trip to the emergency vet, or giving you the reassurance to go now.
