Become Familiar with These Signs of a Cat in Pain in Matthews, NC

In this article, we’ll show you some of the most common signs of a cat in pain. Some cats may show all, some, or none of these signs. They are common enough that you should familiarize yourself with them as a responsible cat owner in Matthews, NC.

Aggression

Many times, when a cat is in pain, they will become aggressive. This may lead to biting or scratching when you try to pet them or pick them up. It can also mean they growl and hiss at you more often as well.

Cats may also become more aggressive toward other pets in the family when in pain, especially if they think the other pets will contribute to their pain in some way. If there are no other explanations for aggression in your cat, pain may be the cause.

Your Cat Is Hiding

When cats are in pain or sick, they often tend to hide. Hiding is one of the most common reactions cats have to these issues. If you notice your cat spending time under the bed or in a closet when they don’t normally do this, they may be in pain.

Watch your cat’s behavior closely if they’ve started to hide. Your cat may be hiding for other reasons, but they may also show other signs of being in pain or sick. Take your cat to the vet in Matthews, NC if you notice hiding and aren’t sure of the cause.

Body Language

You can tell a lot about a cat’s wellbeing by their body language. Healthy cats tend to walk with a spring in their step and keep their tails upright most of the time. They also have bright eyes and their ears are alert, and their coats look healthy and shiny as well.

A cat who is walking low to the ground or keeping its tail low more often than not maybe a cat who is in pain. Cats in pain may also keep their ears flat against their heads, and they may retreat into defensive positions when approached.

Cat licking paw licking

When a cat is in pain, it may be prone to licking the location on its body that hurts. This is most common in cats with broken limbs, arthritis, or internal injuries, but it can occur in cats with tumors and other issues as well.

Watch to see if your cat licks the same location on their body more often than is normal. For example, a cat with arthritis might lick its leg joints without focusing on grooming other parts of its body. This can be a sign that your cats joints are hurting and they’re trying to soothe them on their own.

Lethargy
Signs of a cat in pain can be when they won’t feel like getting up and playing or doing much else. They may still go to the litter box and eat their food, but this might be all they do. There is a difference between lethargy related to pain and the normal sleepiness of a cat. You should be able to tell if your cat has suddenly become much less active than is normal for them.

Older cats may develop this type of lethargy as well, due to their age. However, in many cases, this is still related to pain and may be associated with arthritis.

Loss of Appetite
Finally, a cat in pain may be unwilling or unable to eat. Depending on the location of the pain, your cat may feel sick or hurt worse when they try to eat their regular food, so they may show a loss of appetite related to this.

If your cat goes off of food for more than a couple of days, take them to the vet immediately as this may be a sign of a severe underlying health condition. If they’re off of water for even just a day, they will also need to see the vet.

Keep an Eye Out for These Signs of a Cat in Pain
With this information, you can be more aware of what signs of a cat in pain might look like. If you notice any of these changes in your cat’s behavior, especially without another explanation, it may be safe to assume your cat is in pain.

When you think your cat may be in pain, it’s time for a vet visit. Be sure to tell the vet about anything odd you’ve noticed in your cat lately and let the veterinarian know about any potential causes you’ve determined as well. The vet can then provide you with more information and a diagnosis from there.

Contact Austin Village Pet Hospital with any questions at 704-529-9777 or to make an appointment.