How to Tell if Your Cat Is in Pain (They Hide It Well)

Cats are masters at hiding pain — an instinct from their wild ancestors, where showing weakness was dangerous. This means feline pain is often missed until it's advanced. Learning the subtle signs helps you catch problems early.

Quiet signs of pain

• Hiding more or withdrawing from the family.
• Changes in grooming — a scruffy, matted coat, or over-grooming one spot.
• Reduced appetite or eating more slowly.
• Toileting outside the litter tray, or difficulty getting in and out of it.
• Less jumping or climbing, or hesitating before doing so.
• A hunched posture, sitting tucked up, or a change in facial expression.
• Grumpiness — hissing or swatting when touched, especially in a normally gentle cat.
• Purring can be comforting behaviour, so don't assume a purring cat is pain-free.

Common sources of pain

Dental disease, arthritis (very common and under-diagnosed in older cats), urinary problems, and injuries are frequent culprits.

What to do

If your cat is showing any of these changes, book a vet visit — and never give human painkillers, as many (including paracetamol) are deadly to cats even in tiny doses. You know your cat's normal behaviour better than anyone; trust your instinct when something feels off. Catching pain early means it can be treated before it steals their quality of life.