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Cats Are Masters at Hiding Pain — Here’s How to See Through It
Cats evolved as both predators and prey, and in the wild, showing weakness means attracting predators or losing status within a social group. This survival strategy means domestic cats will go to remarkable lengths to conceal pain, illness, and discomfort from their owners. By the time most cat owners notice something is wrong, the underlying condition has often been present for weeks or months.
Learning to recognize the subtle behavioral changes that indicate feline pain isn’t just helpful — it’s one of the most important skills a cat owner can develop. Early detection means earlier treatment, less suffering, and often better outcomes. Here are the 12 signs that veterinarians say owners most commonly overlook.
Sign 1: Changes in Facial Expression
The Feline Grimace Scale, developed by researchers at the University of Montreal, identified five reliable facial indicators of pain in cats: ear position (rotated outward or flattened), orbital tightening (squinting or half-closed eyes), muzzle tension (a tightened, less rounded muzzle shape), whisker position (pushed forward or held tightly against the face), and head position (held below the shoulder line). A cat showing two or more of these changes simultaneously is likely experiencing pain.
Signs 2-6: Behavioral Changes
Sign 2: Decreased grooming. A cat who stops grooming, develops a dull or matted coat, or shows unkempt fur on areas they used to maintain meticulously is likely in too much discomfort to perform normal self-care. This is particularly common with arthritis, dental pain, and abdominal conditions.
Sign 3: Changes in sleep patterns. Cats in pain may sleep significantly more than usual, or conversely, may become restless and unable to settle. Watch for a cat who changes sleeping locations — moving from a high perch to the floor may indicate jumping is painful.
Sign 4: Altered eating habits. A cat who approaches the food bowl but eats less, drops food while eating, or chews on only one side of the mouth may have dental pain. A cat who stops eating entirely may be experiencing nausea, abdominal pain, or systemic illness.
Sign 5: Withdrawal from interaction. A previously social cat who starts hiding, avoiding contact, or spending time in unusual locations (behind furniture, in closets) may be retreating to manage pain privately. This is one of the most commonly missed signs because owners interpret it as the cat simply being “moody.”
Sign 6: Increased aggression when touched. A cat who suddenly hisses, swats, or bites when touched in a specific area is communicating pain at that location. Pay attention to where the defensive response occurs — it’s often directly over the source of discomfort. This connects to the broader skill of reading your pet’s behavioral signals for early health clues — the same principle applies across species.
Signs 7-12: Physical and Movement Changes
Sign 7: Reduced jumping. A cat who used to leap onto counters, beds, or cat trees but now hesitates, takes a longer route, or stops jumping altogether likely has joint pain. Sign 8: Litter box changes — going outside the box, especially if the box has high sides that require stepping over. Sign 9: Excessive licking or biting at one area, which can indicate localized pain, skin irritation, or referred pain from an internal source.
Sign 10: Changes in posture — a hunched position, reluctance to stretch, or walking with a stiff gait. Sign 11: Purring in unusual contexts — contrary to popular belief, cats purr when in pain as a self-soothing mechanism, not only when content. A cat purring while showing other pain signs is likely hurting. Sign 12: Increased vocalization or changes in vocal quality — cats in pain may meow more, yowl, or produce sounds with a different tone than their normal vocalizations.
When to See the Vet
Any combination of two or more of these signs warrants a veterinary examination. Cats who stop eating for more than 24 hours, show labored breathing, have difficulty urinating (especially male cats, where urinary blockage is a life-threatening emergency), or experience sudden paralysis of hind legs need immediate emergency care. Don’t wait for multiple signs to appear — a single concerning change in a cat who is otherwise consistent in their behavior is enough to justify a vet visit. Early intervention is always better than waiting to be certain, and you know your cat’s normal better than anyone.
