We tend to think that cats are very resistant animals. Many of us almost attribute supernatural powers to them, such as cats having nine lives, however, the reality is very different: cats are masters in the art of concealing signs of pain. Due to this peculiarity, it is difficult to detect that the felines are suffering.
This article on our site aims to guide when it comes to recognizing pain in cats, although as in all animals, it will always vary from one to another. Keep reading and discover the 10 signs of pain in cats:
Pain signs associated with osteoarthritis
One of the main causes of pain in cats is osteoarthritis, a pathology that, as occurs in humans, consists of the wear of joint cartilage. In case of suffering it, the feline will show the following signs of damage:
- Reluctance to move (refuse to move). Many cats that are sore from muscular and skeletal problems avoid moving if possible. But, at a certain age, the tendency to move just enough may be indicating that the pussycat suffers from osteoarthritis and not that he is somewhat "lazy". Unlike cats, dogs "tell us" as they accompany us on our walks, at which point any discomfort when walking becomes evident. Cats choose to suppress what causes them pain, so they no longer climb on their favorite shelf, for example, and limit their daily wandering.
- Depositions outside the litter box Those of us who regularly deal with cats associate the fact that they urinate outside with a punishment towards our absence or changes furniture, for example. But sometimes, our feline cannot access the litter box due to pain That is why a physical examination of the cat is essential, before assuming that it has become sloppy or nervous.
- Prolongation of rest times The last of the signs of pain in cats related to osteoarthritis is that they accommodate long periods of time in their beds. It is usual that we do not give importance to the subject if we have elderly cats because we think that they are already a certain age and that they have always enjoyed eternal naps a lot. It is important to highlight the 14-16 hours a day that an adult cat spends resting, but if they do so at times of the day that were not usual or they increase more and more, it may be a sign of pain.
How do I know if my cat has osteoarthritis pain?
We can find out mainly by observing his current behavior and assessing whether it has changed compared to the previous one, in this way we will obtain many clues. For example, if our cat used to jump on the table as soon as he saw food, climb the scratching post or run down the hall every night for a long time and hasn't done it in a long time, it will be time to go to a veterinary review
Lack of cleanliness and facial marking
When a cat feels discomfort, one of the daily routines that is most affected is, without a doubt, self-grooming. However, it is not the only one that we will have to pay attention to to find out if the cat is in any kind of pain:
- Lack of grooming There are cats that are more meticulous than others in daily grooming, but if our cat used to spend some time grooming himself and has neglected a little this aspect, it can be indicative of certain discomfort. The coat looks dull, bristly, and even rough.
- Lack of marking. The daily marking of the habitat, such as the sharpening of nails and rubbing the jaws, is diminished, even suppressed by some.
Protrusion of the nictitating membrane (we see a white membrane in the eye)
Cats and dogs have a whitish membrane that we can call the "third eyelid", although its name is nictitating membrane. Under normal conditions it is not seen, but when the cat is apathetic, in pain or feverish, we can observe it in the feline with open eyes, these symptoms being clear signs that something is wrong.
Sialorrhea (excess saliva)
Many times pain in cats is related to alterations in the mouth and, although the feline maintains a more or less normal attitude and is interested in food, it is impossible for him to swallow. This causes the constant output of salivaand the pilgrimage to the feeder, even if he is unable to take food
Aggressiveness
It can also be common in behavior or stress problems, but some cats react aggressively to certain stimuli such as sign of pain (for example, a caress), manifesting behaviors that seem to attack.
If your cat used to be affectionate and docile and now has a surly attitude when you try to interact with him, go to the vet to rule out any he alth problems.
Excessive vocalization (more frequent meowing)
There are "talkative" cats, for example the Siamese, but if the feline meows more frequently than normal and for no apparent reason, it could be an alert that something is happening to it. It is rather a sign of emotional pain, but sometimes we can relate it to physical pain.
Antialgid postures (postures that relieve pain)
It is not exclusive to dogs, although it is in them and in other animals that we usually see them. Cats are more discreet in everything that refers to showing signs of pain, but when it reaches intensity, we can find our cat stooped, or on the contrary, stretching his front legsas if stretching continuously. Just as when humans notice cramps in the abdomen we tend to shrink, we can find our feline from a ball, to stretched out like a sausage. They are usually visceral pains and the alterations in this case are usually noticed before the feline has to adopt these postures.
These easy-to-observe details can help us identify the signs of pain in the cat As always, each cat is different, and in the same way that no two humans are alike, there are no two equal ways of manifesting pain in felines, or in any other being.
With these brief tips on our site, and the data that can be collected on a day-to-day basis (lack of appetite, problems urinating…), the veterinarian will be able to guide the appropriate tests towards a specific field, in order to alleviate the pain of felines.
