Cats are famous for hiding pain. In the wild, showing weakness made an animal an easy target, and that instinct is still alive in your living-room companion. Your cat can be suffering right under your nose while looking, at first glance, perfectly fine.
That is what makes this topic so important. The earlier you notice the signs, the sooner you can get your cat the care it needs. Most cat owners are surprised to learn that subtle behavior changes — the kind most of us brush off as “just being moody” — are often the very first clues.
This guide walks you through 12 warning signs that your cat may be in pain. We will cover the behavioral changes to watch for, the physical signs you can spot during everyday interaction, what NOT to do if you suspect your cat is hurting, and when it is time to call your vet. Nothing here replaces a professional check-up — but knowing what to look for puts you in the best position to help your cat feel better, sooner.
1. Hiding More Than Usual
Cats like cozy corners, but there is a difference between a cat that naps in its favorite box and one that disappears for most of the day. A cat in pain often withdraws. It may slip under the bed, squeeze behind the sofa, or hide in a closet it never cared about before.
What to watch for: Your normally social cat suddenly wants to be alone, especially during hours it is usually around you.
Possible causes: Pain makes cats feel vulnerable, so they instinctively retreat somewhere they feel safe. It can also simply be exhausting to be in pain, and hiding conserves energy.
2. Changes in Vocalization
Every cat has its own “voice.” Some are chatty, some are silent. What matters is a change from the norm.
A cat in pain may become unusually vocal — crying, yowling, groaning, or making low moaning sounds, especially when touched or when getting up. On the other hand, a normally talkative cat may go strangely quiet. Purring can also be a signal: while purring usually means contentment, cats sometimes purr when they are in distress, almost as a way to self-soothe.
If your cat has started meowing much more than usual at night, pay attention to the pattern — nighttime restlessness and crying can be connected to pain, anxiety, or an underlying health issue.
What to watch for: New sounds you have never heard before, louder or more frequent meowing, hissing or growling when you pet a certain area, or a sudden, unexplained silence from a chatty cat.
3. Appetite Changes
Food is a great early-warning system. A cat in pain — especially mouth pain, dental problems, stomach discomfort, or nausea — often eats less, eats more slowly, or drops food from its mouth. Some cats show interest in food, walk to the bowl, then walk away. Others stop eating entirely.
On the flip side, pain in the gums or teeth can make a cat chew on one side of the mouth only, or switch from dry food to wet food because it hurts less to eat.
What to watch for: Skipping meals, eating much less than usual, difficulty chewing, dropping food, or sudden refusal of treats they normally love.
4. Reduced Grooming — or Over-Grooming
A healthy cat spends a good part of the day grooming. Pain changes that in one of two directions.
Many painful cats groom less. A cat with arthritis, for example, may stop cleaning its back or rear end because twisting hurts. Its coat starts to look greasy, dull, or matted — and changes in the coat can also show up alongside other issues like dandruff, which can have several possible causes.
Other cats groom too much, licking one spot raw — usually the painful area itself. Bald patches or red, irritated skin over a joint or on the belly can point to pain underneath.
What to watch for: A scruffy or matted coat in a cat that was previously well-groomed, or obsessive licking of one specific spot.
5. Limping or Reluctance to Move
This is one of the more obvious signs, but it is easy to miss in cats because they are light on their feet and often hide stiffness. Watch for:
- A limp, especially when first getting up
- Holding one paw off the ground
- Stiffness after resting
- Difficulty jumping up to or down from furniture they used to reach easily
- Bunny-hopping when running (a sign of possible hip or back pain)
Possible causes: Arthritis (very common in older cats), injury from a fall, a bite wound from another cat, or a paw problem like a torn claw or something stuck between the toes.
6. Changes in Litter Box Habits
Pain can interfere with the most basic routines. A cat with arthritis may stop using the litter box if the sides are too high to climb over. A cat with a urinary tract issue may strain, cry in the box, visit it repeatedly without producing much, or have accidents outside the box.
Digestive discomfort can also change stool patterns — if you notice diarrhea or other changes in your cat’s stool, that can be a sign of an underlying problem that needs attention.
What to watch for: Avoiding the litter box, straining, crying while using it, much smaller or much larger amounts of urine, or new accidents around the house.
7. Changes in Sleeping Patterns
Pain affects rest. Some cats sleep much more because moving hurts, or because pain is exhausting. Others sleep less, pacing restlessly because they cannot find a comfortable position.
Watch how your cat sleeps, too. A cat that always used to sprawl out on its side and now curls tightly into a ball — or one that never lies on a particular side anymore — may be protecting a painful area.
8. Flinching, Hissing, or Aggression When Touched
A cat that used to love belly rubs and now swipes at your hand is telling you something. Increased sensitivity — hissing, growling, or flinching when you touch a particular spot — is one of the clearest signs of localized pain.
Even general grumpiness counts. If your sweet, affectionate cat suddenly snaps at you or at other pets in the house, do not assume it is “just a bad mood.” A pain check should be on the list.
What to watch for: Hissing or biting during petting, flinching when you touch the back, hips, belly, or paws, or uncharacteristic aggression toward people or other animals.
9. Changes in the Eyes and Face
Your cat’s face can reveal a lot. Signs to look for:
- Squinting or half-closed eyes, especially one eye more than the other
- Dilated pupils at rest (in normal indoor lighting)
- A flattened or “grumpy” facial expression — ears slightly back, brow furrowed
- Drooling or holding the mouth open (possible mouth or dental pain)
- The third eyelid (the pale membrane in the inner corner of the eye) showing more than usual
A single squinting eye can point to eye irritation or injury, while a general “pinched” facial look often shows up with pain anywhere in the body.
10. Changes in Breathing
A cat at rest normally breathes quietly and slowly. Faster-than-usual breathing at rest, panting (which is very unusual in cats and always worth noting), or shallow, rapid breaths can be signs of pain or a more urgent health problem.
Labored breathing — where you can see the belly moving strongly with each breath, or the cat breathes with its mouth open — is a red flag that needs prompt veterinary attention.
11. Loss of Interest in Play and Interaction
Pain steals the fun out of life. A cat that used to chase toys, greet you at the door, or race up the cat tree but now just watches from the couch may be hurting. This is especially true for joint pain and arthritis, which make running and jumping uncomfortable.
This one is tricky because it develops gradually — you might not notice it until you look back and realize playtime stopped months ago. Try offering a favorite toy and see how your cat responds compared to how it used to.
12. Posture and Movement Changes
Finally, look at how your cat holds its body:
- Hunched posture with the head lowered
- Sitting in an unusual position, like the “meatloaf” crouch for long periods
- Stiffness when standing up or lying down
- A tucked-in abdomen or arched back
- Tail held low or tucked, or thrashing when you touch a certain area
- Walking slowly and carefully, as if every step is measured
These small postural shifts are the body’s way of protecting the part that hurts. A cat that suddenly will not sit normally is worth a vet visit.
What NOT to Do
If you suspect your cat is in pain, your instinct will be to help right away. But some of the most common “helpful” moves can actually make things worse:
- Never give your cat human pain medication. Common painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are toxic to cats — even small amounts can cause organ damage or be fatal. This is the single most important rule.
- Do not try to diagnose the problem yourself. Pain has many possible causes, and the same sign (like hiding) can point to dozens of different things. Guessing can lead you in the wrong direction.
- Do not force your cat to move, play, or come out of hiding. If movement hurts, forcing it adds stress and can worsen an injury. Let the cat choose where it rests.
- Do not apply heat or ice without guidance. While temperature can sometimes help certain conditions, the wrong choice can irritate an injury or mask a symptom your vet needs to see.
- Do not wait too long hoping it goes away. Cats hide pain by nature — by the time the signs are obvious, the problem may already be advanced. “Wait and see” is rarely the right call with cats.
The safest thing you can do at home is simple: keep your cat comfortable, keep its food, water, and litter box close and easy to reach, minimize stress, and call your vet.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Your cat stops eating for more than 24 hours
- Any obvious injury, bleeding, or swelling
- Limping that does not improve, or a leg that will not bear weight
- Straining or crying in the litter box, or no urine production
- Open-mouth breathing, panting, or labored breathing
- Sudden collapse, extreme weakness, or inability to stand
- A dramatic personality change — aggression, hiding, or withdrawal that is new
For milder signs (slight limp, sleeping a bit more, eating a little less), book a check-up within a day or two rather than waiting. Mention exactly what you have observed — your vet relies on your observations, since your cat will not be able to tell them what hurts.
When in doubt, call. Vets would much rather hear about a false alarm than see a cat whose pain went unaddressed for weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a cat is in pain just by looking at it?
Look for a combination of signs: half-closed or squinting eyes, a hunched or tense posture, ears held flat or slightly back, a dull or unkempt coat, and reluctance to move normally. No single sign proves pain on its own, but several together are a strong signal.
Do cats purr when they are in pain?
Sometimes, yes. While purring usually means a cat is content, cats also purr when they are frightened, injured, or in pain — possibly as a way to calm themselves. If your cat is purring in an unusual context (at the vet, while hiding, or while resting in a hunched position), it may be a sign of distress rather than happiness.
Will a cat still eat if it is in pain?
It depends. Some cats keep eating through mild pain, while others lose their appetite quickly — especially if the pain involves the mouth, teeth, or stomach. A sudden drop in appetite or difficulty chewing is one of the more reliable early signs and is always worth a vet visit if it lasts more than a day.
How do cats act when their stomach hurts?
A cat with abdominal discomfort may crouch in a hunched position, avoid lying on its belly, become restless and unable to settle, lose interest in food, or vomit. Some cats also lick their belly excessively. Stomach pain has many possible causes, from something minor to something urgent, so persistent signs should be checked by a vet.
Can pain make a cat aggressive?
Yes. A normally gentle cat that suddenly hisses, swats, or bites — especially when touched in a particular area — is often reacting to pain. Do not punish this behavior; it is a warning signal, not bad manners. Give the cat space and get it checked.
A Final Word
Your cat cannot tell you where it hurts, so it tells you the only way it can — through small changes in behavior, posture, and routine. Learning to read those changes is one of the most loving things you can do as a cat owner.
You do not need to panic over every skipped meal or extra-long nap. But if you notice one or more of the signs in this guide — especially if they are new or getting worse — trust your instincts. You know your cat better than anyone. When something feels off, it usually is, and a quick call to your vet is always the right move.
A comfortable, pain-free cat is a happy cat — and keeping an eye out for these 12 warning signs is the first step to keeping it that way.