Why cats hide pain
Cats are very good at concealing discomfort. Many vets explain this as an instinct: showing weakness can be risky for an animal that is both a predator and, in the wild, potentially prey. The practical result is that a cat in pain often does not cry out or limp dramatically. Instead, the signs tend to be small changes in routine that are easy to put down to age, mood or “just being a cat”.
Because of this, the most useful skill is knowing your own cat’s normal. A cat who stops using a favorite perch, eats a little less or becomes grumpy when touched may be telling you something. No single sign proves pain, and some of these signs can also point to illness that is not painful. When several changes appear together, or a change lasts more than a day or two, it is worth a call to your vet.
Behavior changes that can signal pain
Changes in how your cat acts around you and the home are among the most common clues:
- Hiding or withdrawing. Spending more time under beds or in closets, or avoiding family members.
- Irritability or aggression. Hissing, growling or swatting when touched or picked up, especially in a cat who is normally friendly.
- Less interest in play or interaction. A cat who no longer greets you or chases toys.
- Restlessness. Struggling to settle, changing position often, or being unable to get comfortable.
- Clinginess. Some cats become unusually needy rather than withdrawn.
- Vocal changes. More meowing, yowling or growling than usual. Some cats purr when stressed or hurting, so purring does not always mean a cat is content.
Changes in movement and mobility
Pain in the joints, spine, legs or paws often shows up in how a cat moves:
- Hesitating before jumping, or no longer jumping onto the bed, couch or windowsill
- Taking stairs slowly or avoiding them
- Stiffness, especially after resting
- Favoring one leg, or limping
- Difficulty getting into or out of the litter box
- Reluctance to be picked up or touched in a particular spot
Arthritis is common in older cats and is often missed because the signs are gradual. If your senior cat seems to be “slowing down”, it is reasonable to ask your vet whether pain could be part of the picture rather than assuming it is simply age.
Posture: how a cat in pain may sit or lie
Owners often ask what position a cat sits in when it is in pain. There is no single posture, but vets commonly describe these:
- A hunched or “loaf” position with the head lowered and the body tense, held for long periods and without the relaxed look of a cat resting
- Tucked-in legs and a tight, rounded back, which can happen with abdominal discomfort
- Sitting or lying in an unusual place or way, such as stretched out awkwardly or avoiding lying on one side
- A stiff, guarded stance with the head held low or pulled in
- Reluctance to lie down at all, or repeatedly standing up and sitting down
A cat that is relaxed will usually look soft and loose, with eyes half closed or fully closed. Tension is the key difference.
Face, voice and grooming clues
Researchers have developed a tool called the Feline Grimace Scale, which looks at changes in the face. Signs that vets often point to include:
- Squinted or tight eyes
- Ears that are flattened or rotated outward
- A tense, flattened or strained muzzle
- Whiskers held stiffly or pulled forward or back
Facial expression is easier to read on video than in the moment, and it should be looked at together with other changes rather than on its own.
Grooming can also change. A cat who hurts may stop grooming and develop a greasy, matted or rough coat. Others groom one spot excessively, which can point to pain, irritation or a wound under the fur there. If you find a sore spot, see our guide on cleaning a cat wound for what is reasonable to do at home and when to skip straight to the vet.
Eating, drinking and litter box changes
Everyday habits are often the earliest clue:
- Eating less or refusing food. (See how to get a cat to eat.) Dental or mouth pain may make a cat approach food and then back away, drop food, or chew on one side.
- Drinking more or less than usual.
- Litter box changes. Urinating or defecating outside the box, crying in the box, or taking longer than usual. Some cats avoid boxes with high sides when their joints hurt.
- Straining to urinate or passing very little. This can be an emergency, particularly in male cats. See why your cat pees a lot at once for how large-volume urination differs from straining.
Hidden pain from common causes
Pain has many sources. Some that vets frequently find in cats include:
- Dental disease and mouth sores
- Arthritis and other joint disease
- Injuries, bites and abscesses
- Urinary tract problems
- Digestive upset or abdominal conditions
- Sore or infected paws, which are covered in common cat paw problems
- Muscle or nerve problems, which sometimes show as odd leg twitching
Only a veterinary exam can work out which of these is involved, so the goal at home is to notice and describe the changes accurately.
What about “the 3-3-3 rule” and a cat’s body “shutting down”?
Two phrases come up often in searches and are easy to confuse with pain signs.
The 3-3-3 rule usually refers to how a newly adopted cat adjusts to a home, commonly described as roughly three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel settled. It is a guide to adjustment, not a way to check for pain, although a new cat who is hiding may be stressed, unwell or both.
Owners also ask how to tell when a cat’s body is “shutting down”. There is no single reliable sign, and many of the signs overlap with serious illness rather than only the end of life. Concerning changes include refusing food and water, extreme weakness, hiding constantly, trouble breathing, a very low body temperature and not responding normally. If you see these, contact a vet promptly rather than waiting, as many causes are treatable and your vet can also discuss comfort and quality of life.
How to comfort a cat in pain
Your vet is the right person to relieve pain, but some supportive steps are generally safe while you arrange care:
- Offer a quiet, warm, low-traffic space with a soft bed
- Keep food, water and a litter box within easy reach, using a low-sided box if your cat struggles to step over the edge
- Limit jumping by keeping essentials on the floor level
- Handle your cat gently and avoid touching painful areas
- Reduce noise, other pets and children’s access while your cat rests
Do not give human pain medicine. Common drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be very dangerous to cats. Only give medication your vet has prescribed for your cat.
Cat poisoning: what to do
Some poisons cause pain, drooling, vomiting, tremors or weakness, but a cat can look fine at first, so do not wait for signs.
- Lilies. True lilies (Lilium species, including Easter and Asiatic lilies) and daylilies are highly toxic to cats. A small exposure, such as licking pollen off fur or drinking water from a vase that held lilies, can cause kidney failure.
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol). This is an emergency. Kidney failure can develop within 12 to 24 hours, and treatment needs to start within hours of exposure.
If your cat may have eaten or touched something toxic, call your vet or a poison helpline straight away: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661. Both are open 24 hours a day and may charge a fee. Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to, because doing it at home can cause more harm than good. Bring the product packaging or plant with you if you can.
When to call the vet or go to an emergency clinic
Call your vet if you notice pain signs that last more than a day or two, if several signs appear together, or if your cat stops eating. Seek urgent care right away for:
- Difficulty breathing, or open-mouth breathing
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine produced
- Sudden loss of use of the back legs, or a cold, painful limb
- Heavy bleeding or a deep wound
- Collapse, seizures or extreme lethargy
- Crying out or aggression when touched that is new and severe
- Suspected poisoning
If you are unsure, calling the clinic to describe what you see is a reasonable step. A short phone video of your cat walking, eating and resting can help your vet.
Common questions
How do I know if my cat is in pain if it is not crying?
Most cats in pain are quiet. Look for changes in movement, appetite, grooming, litter box habits, mood and posture, and compare them with how your cat normally behaves.
Does purring mean my cat is not in pain?
Not necessarily. Cats can purr when content, but some also purr when they are stressed or hurting, so consider purring alongside everything else you see.
Can I treat cat pain at home?
Comfort measures can help, but the cause of pain needs to be found and treated by a vet. Never use human painkillers.
Why is my older cat slowing down?
Arthritis is common in older cats and can be mistaken for aging. Your vet can examine your cat and discuss safe pain management options.