Is My Cat in Pain?

14 September 2026

Cats are masters of disguise when it comes to discomfort. Their independence and subtle behaviors, combined with a natural instinct to hide pain as a survival strategy, mean they often suffer in silence. As a cat owner, learning to detect the signs of pain is essential for ensuring your feline companion gets the care they need.

The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain in Cats

Just like with dogs, pain in cats can be categorized into two main types:

Acute Pain: Sudden, often caused by injury or trauma such as a broken bone, bite wound, or surgery. Usually short-term and resolves as the underlying issue heals.
Chronic Pain: Long-lasting, often associated with conditions like arthritis, dental disease, or chronic inflammation. Can persist for weeks, months, or even years, and often requires ongoing management.

How to Assess Your Cat’s Pain at Home

Observing your cat carefully is the best way to assess pain. Stay calm—cats are sensitive to their owners’ emotions, and stress can worsen their discomfort. Leave palpating sore areas to a veterinarian, as doing so without professional guidance can increase pain or risk injury.

Key Indicators Your Cat May Be in Pain:

Increased Hiding: Cats in pain often retreat to quiet, secluded areas and may be more difficult to coax out. This is one of the most common early signs of discomfort.
Changes in Grooming: Overgrooming certain areas or neglecting grooming entirely.
Altered Posture or Facial Expressions: Hunched posture, arched back, tucked legs, squinting eyes, flattened ears, or tension around the cheeks, nose, or mouth.
Reluctance to Move: Avoiding jumping, climbing, or even walking.
Behavioral Changes: Increased withdrawal, irritability, or aggression.
Appetite Changes: Decreased interest in food or difficulty eating.
Vocalization Changes: Either increased meowing, growling, or unusual silence.
Litter Box Challenges: Straining, avoiding the box, or accidents outside the box may indicate pain or mobility issues.

Using Pain Scales

Veterinarians may use feline pain scales to quantify discomfort, but at home, careful observation of behavior and activity is most practical. The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) does offer helpful checklists that can help owners track signs of pain.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Cat's in Pain

Even mild changes in behavior warrant a veterinary check. Severe or sudden signs, such as persistent hiding, refusal to move, excessive vocalization, or refusal to eat, require immediate veterinary attention.

How DoveLewis Can Help

DoveLewis’ Orthopedic Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Pain Management teams help cats regain comfort, mobility, and quality of life. Depending on your cat’s needs, care may include:

Orthopedic Surgery: Advanced surgical care for injuries and joint conditions, with Rehabilitation and Pain Management helping cats heal, rebuild strength, and stay comfortable throughout recovery.
Physical Therapy, Hydrotherapy & Massage: Customized exercises, water treadmill sessions, and therapeutic massage to improve strength, flexibility, mobility, and joint function.
Laser Therapy & Acupuncture: Non-invasive treatments to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Environmental & Lifestyle Guidance: Adjustments such as ramps, soft bedding, and activity modifications to support comfort at home.
Medication Management: Pain relief tailored to acute and chronic conditions.

By bringing these areas of care together, cats experiencing pain can move more comfortably and reconnect with the routines and activities they enjoy.