HOW TO KNOW YOUR CAT IS IN PAIN// by @lordside//11-03-2021

CAT

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Greetings to you all my fellow pet lovers, how is you day going, i want to share with you how you will know if your cat is in pain.
It sounds like such a simple question, but the answer is actually far more complicated than we think. Even those of us who have studied these creatures for years still frequently miss signs of feline pain. Because when it comes to showing signs of pain (or any illness for that matter), cats are masters of disguise.
In the feline world, complaining gets you nowhere, in fact showing signs of weakness can get you killed. Sure, some cats in pain will cry out, but if you see a cat crying out in pain, the problem is likely very severe indeed. Besides, cats cry out for many reasons, so even if you do see this, how can you tell if it is due to pain or some other form of stress? Next time you think your cat may be in pain, try to remember some of the following signs of feline discomfort.

1. Lameness
   Ok, we’ll start with an easy one. But you’d be surprised how many people come to me with a limping cat who insist that they are not in pain. If your cat is limping, he’s doing it for a reason. And that reason is usually pain. Even if your cat doesn’t have a limp, check for other signs like difficulty jumping up or down from the bed or finding that it’s not worth their effort to climb the stairs anymore. Arthritis is hugely underdiagnosed in cats because many owners either don’t observe or don’t think to mention these changes. If you do notice something unusual with your cat’s behaviour, please speak up as sometimes vets don’t think to ask these kinds of questions.

2. Vocalisation
   Yes, as previously mentioned, some cats in pain (particularly severe, sudden pain) will cry out or howl. If you see this, take them to the vet immediately to have them checked out, even if you can’t see anything else wrong with them. But it’s not always a howl that they make; sometimes it’s just a more insistent meow, or even a lack of sounds such as normal greetings or cries for food.

3. Decreased appetite
   Speaking of food, it’s true that some cats in pain will either stop eating, or not eat as much as normal. But not every cat will respond this way because in the wild, a cat that doesn’t eat will die so if they are able to eat despite even very significant pain, they often will.

4. Hiding
   A cat in pain will often hide from you. You may notice them spending more and more time under the bed or in the back of the cupboard. Or, you may notice that they are quite restless and have a hard time settling in any one place. To you, it may just seem like odd behaviour but to them, it can be a cry for help. Hiding isn’t the only behaviour that can indicate pain, any change in their normal routine may be a clue no matter how subtle, so try to take notice and figure out why the change occurred.

5. Posture
   If you picture a happy cat in your mind, you may think of one who is relaxed and playfully rolling around a response to a good petting session. Now consider the opposite, a painful cat will often sit in a hunched, guarded position. Their muscles may be quite tense, and they will flinch or pull away when touched, some cats just dont like being touched, but if yours normally does and then suddenly doesnt, consider pain as a possible cause.

6. Aggressive
   As previously mentioned, a painful cat wont want to be touched and this often leads to aggression. If you stroke your cat and he he turns around to bite or scratch you, or if he hisses at you when touched, or even if he just starts to twitch his tail in an agitated manner when there doesn't seem to be any reason for it, get him checked out by the vet.

Conclusion
If you are worried that your cat may be showing signs of pain described above, talk to your vet.

Special thanks:
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