Signs Your Cat Is in Pain (And How to Help)

Did you know that cats are masters at hiding pain? It’s a cat’s instinct to mask pain, therefore, when it comes to feline pain it’s easy to miss the subtle signs that they are in pain. In fact, cats are so good at hiding pain that the Université de Montréal established a Feline Grimace Scale (FGS), a tool designed to identify cat pain by their slight changes in facial expressions.
 

Here are a few key signs that your cat may be in pain and treatment options that Advanced Veterinary Care of Olathe can offer your cat.

• Lethargy: It is normal for adult cats to sleep 12-16 hours a day, but if you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior such as taking more time than usual to nap or just lying around, they may be covering up pain.
   
• Routine Change: Kitties are creatures of habit–they love their routine! If you notice your cat is completely uninterested in their usual day-to-day activities, there may be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
   
• Excessive Grooming or Decreased Grooming: While most cats enjoy a nice bath, excessive cleaning can indicate both mental and physical distress in felines, while decreased grooming can be due to mobility restrictions or symptoms of pain.
   
• Face the Facts: Did you know cats express themselves through facial expressions just like humans? Check out this chart on the Feline Grimace Scale to understand more about the meaning behind your cat’s facial expressions.
   
• Reduced Appetite: If you notice your cat has less interest in food, schedule a veterinary visit immediately. Arthritis can be painful when a cat crouches down to reach their food bowl, and modifications to the height of the food bowl and arthritis treatments can help. Other times changes in eating behavior can indicate other issues–early intervention is the best intervention. Reduced appetite is a key indicator that your cat needs medical attention.
   
• Sensitivity to Touch: If your cat seems sensitive to the touch in a certain area or backs away when you try to pet them, they may be trying to protect themselves.
   
• Aggression, Hissing, and Urgent Meowing: Listen to your cat; if you hear groaning, hissing, urgently meowing, or just seems in a generally bad mood, don’t ignore it.
   
• Jumping Behavior: Cats in pain will often stop jumping directly onto, and down from high surfaces. Instead, they’ll make several small jumps to get to their destination, maybe from the floor to an ottoman, to a chair, and then on top of the bed, to avoid painful landings.
   
• Not Feeling Playful: Disinterest in toys, or playtime with other pets in the house can indicate discomfort.

How Can You Help? 

The first step is to bring your cat to the veterinarian. Feline pain is complex, and a veterinary professional can use diagnostics to uncover the source of the pain. At Advanced Veterinary Care of Olathe, we’ll diagnose your cat and create a customized treatment plan to get them comfortable. Here are a few new treatment options that can help:

Solensia

Osteoarthritis is common in older cats and greatly impacts the quality of life as it progresses. Pilling cats at home can be a challenging task and can negatively impact your bond with your pet. We offer Solensia so that we can manage your cat’s pain with a single monthly injection to control OA pain and improve mobility.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is a noninvasive pain treatment that is extremely well-tolerated by cats. We simply apply a therapeutic dose of light over the surface of your cat’s body. Light penetrates deep into target tissue accelerating tissue recovery. Cats often relax and even fall asleep during soothing laser therapy treatments.  

Acupuncture…for Cats

Yes, you read that right! This ancient Chinese practice is therapeutic for your cat too. 

These are just a few options for your cat’s pain. Depending on your cat’s condition we may prescribe other medications, supplements, or pain management therapies. If you believe your cat may be in pain, book an appointment online today or call 913-782-2269.