Cat Care

Signs Your Cat May Be in Pain: What Owners Often Miss

Pets & Animals Editorial Team Staff Writer · Jul 24, 2026 · 5 min read

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Subtle changes in grooming, posture, and appetite can signal discomfort. This guide explains what to notice — and when to contact your vet.

Key Takeaways

Cats instinctively mask pain, making subtle behavioural changes the most reliable early warning signs.
Changes in grooming, posture, appetite, and litter box habits can all indicate underlying discomfort.
Dismissing pain signals as normal aging or personality is one of the most common owner mistakes.
A veterinarian should evaluate any cat showing persistent changes in behaviour or daily routine.
Senior cats are especially vulnerable — their pain signs are often the quietest and most easily missed.

Why Cats Hide Pain So Effectively

Cats evolved as both predator and prey, which means showing vulnerability in the wild was dangerous. That instinct remains deeply wired into domestic cats today. When a cat is hurting, it rarely vocalises distress the way a dog might — instead, it withdraws, adjusts its behaviour, and essentially tries to look normal. This biological drive to conceal pain is precisely what puts owners at a disadvantage.

Research in veterinary pain assessment has found that even experienced cat owners frequently underestimate or fail to recognise feline discomfort. The FGS, a clinically validated tool developed by veterinary researchers, shows that pain in cats manifests primarily through subtle facial changes — orbital tightening, muzzle tension, ear rotation — rather than obvious crying or limping. Most owners are never taught to look for these signals.

Understanding this concealment tendency is the first step. The second is knowing which everyday mistakes lead owners to miss the signs entirely.

Assuming a quiet cat is a comfortable cat.

Why it happens: Most owners associate pain with vocalisation. Because cats rarely cry out when hurting, silence is misread as contentment.

How to avoid: Monitor your cat's activity level, social engagement, and movement patterns rather than relying on sound alone. A cat that has become unusually still or reclusive deserves a closer look and a vet visit if the pattern persists.

Attributing behaviour changes to 'getting older' without ruling out pain.

Why it happens: Slowing down, sleeping more, and grooming less can look like natural aging — but these same signs are hallmarks of chronic pain, particularly arthritis.

How to avoid: Any notable behavioural change in a cat over seven years old should prompt a veterinary assessment. Conditions like osteoarthritis are highly manageable when diagnosed. Review our article on keeping an ageing cat comfortable for guidance on what to monitor.

Overlooking changes in grooming habits as a pain signal.

Why it happens: Owners often notice a scraggly coat but assume the cat has simply become less fastidious, not that grooming is painful or physically difficult.

How to avoid: Compare your cat's current coat condition to previous months. A dull, matted, or unkempt coat — especially on the back and hindquarters — can indicate spinal or joint pain that makes twisting to groom uncomfortable. Flag this at your next annual vet visit.

Misinterpreting litter box avoidance as a behavioural problem rather than a pain response.

Why it happens: Inappropriate elimination is widely associated with marking or stress. The possibility that climbing into a box or squatting hurts the cat is less commonly considered.

How to avoid: If a cat that has always used its litter box reliably begins eliminating elsewhere, rule out physical causes first. Conditions such as urinary tract disease, constipation, or musculoskeletal pain can all make litter box use difficult. A vet examination should precede any behavioural intervention. For context on how stress and physical discomfort overlap, see our guide to common feline behavioural problems.

Ignoring subtle postural shifts and facial tension.

Why it happens: Without specific training, most owners cannot distinguish a relaxed cat from one holding a guarded posture. Flattened ears, a hunched back, or a tucked abdomen are easy to miss in a familiar animal.

How to avoid: Learn your cat's normal resting posture and facial expression. A loaf position with a tense jaw, partially closed eyes, or ears rotated outward and back can indicate discomfort. Photographing your cat periodically gives you a useful baseline for comparison.

Discounting reduced appetite as minor or temporary.

Why it happens: Cats sometimes skip meals, so owners may wait several days before becoming concerned. Dental pain, nausea, or abdominal discomfort can suppress appetite for longer than owners realise.

How to avoid: A cat eating significantly less than usual for more than 24–48 hours warrants veterinary attention, particularly because prolonged food refusal in cats can lead to serious liver complications. Never wait a week to see if appetite returns on its own.

The Costs of Missing Pain Signals

When feline pain goes unrecognised, it often goes untreated — sometimes for months. Chronic pain, particularly from conditions like dental disease, arthritis, or urinary tract problems, can significantly erode a cat's quality of life. It can also alter behaviour in ways that get misread as personality quirks, aging, or even misbehaviour.

~90%

Cats over 12 with radiographic arthritis

Studies in veterinary journals suggest approximately 90% of cats aged 12 and older show radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease, yet many go undiagnosed.

1 in 3

Cats affected by dental disease by age 3

Veterinary dental organisations estimate that a significant proportion of cats develop some form of periodontal disease by the time they reach three years old — a common but underappreciated pain source.

Veterinary pain experts note that cats with undertreated pain may develop secondary problems, including muscle atrophy from reduced movement, anxiety from persistent discomfort, and weight loss from reduced appetite. These compounding effects make early recognition critical. If your cat's behaviour has shifted in any way described in this article, consult your veterinarian — general information like this cannot substitute for a professional examination. See also our guidance on senior feline care, where pain management becomes especially important.

Do Not Wait for Obvious Symptoms

By the time a cat is visibly limping, crying, or refusing all food, pain may already be advanced. Cats that appear 'fine' can be masking significant discomfort for weeks. If you notice any combination of the signs described in this article — reduced appetite, posture changes, grooming shifts, or withdrawal — contact your veterinarian rather than waiting to see if the cat improves on its own.

This article is intended as general educational information for cat owners and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you are concerned your cat may be in pain, contact a licensed veterinarian promptly.

Pets & Animals Editorial Team

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