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Cat Health

How can you recognise pain in a cat?

By Marieke Knies, DVM · European veterinary internal medicine specialist · 13 september 2026

Hoe herken je pijn bij een kat?
How can you recognise pain in a cat?

In brief

A cat in pain does not have to vocalise. Small changes often appear first: jumping less high, hesitating on stairs, sleeping differently, grooming less, adopting a different posture or reducing social contact. One sign does not prove pain, but a new or progressive change deserves attention. Record short videos when possible and discuss them with your veterinarian.

Cats do not consciously hide pain

Cats may express pain differently from what people expect. Being quiet does not mean nothing is wrong. Chronic pain in particular may gradually look like part of the daily routine. Owners sometimes recognise the extent of previous change only after treatment improves function.

Look for differences from your own cat’s normal pattern rather than waiting for dramatic “pain behaviour”.

Changes in movement

Jumping and walking:

  • Jumps less often or not as high
  • Hesitates or uses intermediate surfaces
  • Has difficulty on stairs, particularly going down
  • Appears stiff after resting

Posture and activity:

  • Plays, runs or climbs less
  • Lands differently or protects one limb
  • Stretches less or adopts a hunched posture
  • Struggles to enter the litter tray.

Reduced movement can reflect pain, weakness, neurological problems, breathlessness or other illness. The cause requires assessment.

Behaviour and interaction

Pain may also be associated with:

  • Hiding or withdrawing more
  • Greeting less, or seeking unusual amounts of contact
  • Irritability when touched or lifted
  • Reduced interest in play and surroundings
  • Restlessness or difficulty settling
  • Altered sleep
  • Unexpected defensive or aggressive behaviour.

Do not label a cat “difficult” or “grumpy” before considering a medical cause. Fear and stress may produce similar behaviour and can coexist with pain.

Grooming, eating and the litter tray

Other changes include:

  • Reduced grooming, matting or a greasy coat
  • Repeated licking of one area
  • Difficulty lowering the head to a food bowl
  • Dropping food, chewing on one side or avoiding hard food
  • Reduced intake or sitting at food without starting
  • Urinating or defecating outside the tray
  • Straining, repeated tray visits or vocalising in the tray.

Urinary problems can be emergencies. A male cat repeatedly straining while producing little or no urine needs immediate assessment.

Posture and facial expression

With acute pain a cat may appear tense, hold the head lower, partly close the eyes, alter ear position and engage less with the environment. Veterinarians may use validated tools such as the Feline Grimace Scale as part of assessment.

A single photograph or home score is not a diagnosis. Facial expression is also influenced by fear, sedation and illness. Treat change as a reason to seek advice.

What can you record at home?

A calm observation is often more helpful than trying to find a painful spot:

  1. Record what changed and when.
  2. Film walking, jumping, stairs or litter tray use without forcing the cat.
  3. Note appetite, drinking, urination and faeces.
  4. List all medicines and supplements.
  5. Explain what was previously easy but is now avoided.

Never give human painkillers without veterinary advice. Drugs such as paracetamol can be fatal to cats.

When should you contact a veterinarian?

Poppy receiving veterinary care in the clinic
Photo: Dutch Cat Vet private collection

Seek same-day advice for obvious pain, sudden lameness, trauma, food refusal, rapid deterioration or urinary difficulty. Open-mouth breathing, severe breathing difficulty, collapse, or a male cat unable to pass urine requires emergency care.

Arrange an appointment for subtler changes that persist. Chronic pain is not less important because its signs are small.

Final thought

You know your cat’s normal behaviour best. Videos showing “before” and “now” can provide valuable information. Earlier discussion creates more opportunity to investigate the cause and improve comfort.

Use Pip’s monthly check and record movement, grooming, litter tray use and social behaviour separately.

Medical disclaimer

This information cannot diagnose pain and does not replace veterinary examination. Never give pain relief or other medication without veterinary advice.

Sources

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