Recognising Pain in Cats: A Species That Hides It Well

In the wild, an animal that visibly limps or cries out advertises vulnerability to predators and rivals, so cats retain a strong instinct to behave normally even while injured or unwell. This does not mean they feel less pain than a dog in a similar situation — it means the outward signs are subtler and easily missed by an owner who is looking for the wrong cues.

Validated pain-scoring tools used by veterinary professionals look closely at facial expression and body posture rather than waiting for vocalisation, which is a comparatively late and inconsistent sign of pain in cats.

A previously affectionate cat that becomes irritable when touched in a specific area, or a confident cat that starts hiding constantly, is communicating something even without an obvious wound. Owners who know their cat's normal routines are often the first to notice that something is subtly wrong, well before clinical signs are dramatic — this instinct is worth trusting and raising with a vet rather than dismissing.

Any suspected pain in a cat warrants a veterinary examination, since the underlying cause can range from dental disease and arthritis to more serious internal conditions, and cats cannot describe where or how something hurts. Never give human pain medication to a cat — paracetamol in particular is highly toxic to cats even in very small amounts and can be fatal.