Quick answer: Cats hide pain, so look for changes rather than crying. Common signs a cat is in pain include jumping less or avoiding stairs, sleeping more or restlessness, peeing outside the litter box, grooming less or over-grooming one area, hiding or irritability, and a tense face with squinted eyes and ears turned out. If you notice these, call your vet and never give human pain medicine.
Cats are experts at hiding discomfort. In the wild, showing weakness can make an animal a target, so many cats carry on eating, purring and greeting you at the door even when something hurts. That instinct means the signs a cat is in pain are often small and easy to miss: a skipped jump, a little less grooming, a change in mood. This guide walks through the behavioral and physical signs veterinarians look for, explains the Feline Grimace Scale you can use at home, and covers what to do (and what never to do) if you think your cat is hurting.
Why cat pain is so easy to miss
VCA Animal Hospitals explains that cats instinctively hide pain to avoid being targeted by predators, and that a cat can be in pain even if it does not cry, limp or show other obvious signs. Most cats in pain alter their behavior in some way, so that is what you need to watch. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) makes a similar point with a simple message: don’t wait for a limp. AAHA also notes that cats with painful dental disease often keep eating, so a normal appetite does not rule out pain.
The most useful skill you can build is knowing what is normal for your cat. When something changes and stays changed, that is worth paying attention to.
Behavioral signs of pain in cats
Changes in jumping and moving
VCA lists reduced jumping as one of the most common signs, especially of joint pain. Your cat may stop jumping onto windowsills or the back of the sofa, take two smaller jumps instead of one big one, or avoid the stairs. You may also see stiffness after resting, limping, or a slower, more careful way of walking. If this sounds familiar, read our guide on signs of arthritis in cats.
Changes in sleep and activity
Some cats in pain sleep more and play less. Others become restless and have trouble getting comfortable. A cat that used to follow you around may stay in one spot for most of the day.
Litter box changes
VCA notes that cats with pain may urinate or defecate outside the litter box. Climbing over a high-sided box can hurt sore joints, and a cat may then choose an easier spot. Our article on why cats pee outside the litter box explains other common causes and the first things to check.
Grooming changes
A painful cat may groom less, leading to a scruffy or matted coat, especially over the lower back and hips where twisting hurts. Others do the opposite and repeatedly lick or over-groom one area, which can be a sign that the spot underneath is sore.
Mood and social changes
VCA lists resistance to handling or being picked up, withdrawal from family activity, and aggression or unexpected reactions when approached or handled among the signs of pain. A normally friendly cat may hiss or swat when touched in a certain place, resist being picked up, or avoid other pets. Some cats become unusually clingy. Any noticeable personality change is a reason to look more closely, and our guide to signs of stress in cats can help you tell the two apart, though both deserve a vet visit if they persist.
Eating changes
Reduced appetite can signal pain, but as AAHA points out, many cats with mouth pain keep eating. AAHA notes such a cat might start scooping food out of the dish before eating. Also watch for chewing on one side, dropping food, drooling or pawing at the mouth. Regular dental care, such as brushing your cat’s teeth, helps prevent one common source of hidden pain.
Quick checklist: signs a cat is in pain
| Area | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Fewer or smaller jumps, avoiding stairs, stiffness, limping |
| Activity | Sleeping more, playing less, or restlessness |
| Litter box | Urinating or defecating outside the box |
| Grooming | Unkempt coat, or over-grooming one area |
| Temperament | Hiding, withdrawal, irritability or aggression when handled |
| Face | Ears turned out, squinted eyes, tense muzzle, whiskers pulled back, head lowered |
| Eating | Less interest in food, chewing on one side, dropping food |
Use the Feline Grimace Scale at home
Pain also shows on a cat’s face. The Feline Grimace Scale is a validated tool developed by veterinary researchers to assess acute pain in cats from facial expression. It looks at five “action units”:
- Ear position: ears facing forward are normal, while ears pulled apart and rotated outward suggest pain.
- Orbital tightening: squinted or partly closed eyes.
- Muzzle tension: a tense, more elliptical muzzle instead of a relaxed, round one.
- Whisker position: whiskers straight and pulled back, or forward, instead of loose and curved.
- Head position: head held below the shoulder line or tilted down.
Each unit is scored 0, 1 or 2, for a maximum of 10. The scale’s guidance is to observe your cat for about 30 seconds without disturbing it, then score what you see. Owners who get a score of 4 or more are advised to contact their veterinarian. The site also offers a practice tool so you can train your eye with example photos.
The grimace scale is a helpful guide, not a diagnosis. A low score does not prove your cat is pain-free, especially with chronic pain, so keep watching behavior too.
What to do if you think your cat is in pain
- Call your veterinarian. Pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Your vet can find the cause and recommend safe treatment.
- Record a video. AAHA suggests filming the behavior that worries you, such as how your cat walks, jumps or uses the litter box, because cats often act differently at the clinic.
- Write down changes. Note when you first noticed the change, how often it happens and anything else that is different.
- Never give human pain medication. Do not give your cat any painkiller unless your veterinarian has prescribed it. Common human medicines can be extremely dangerous for cats.
- Go to an emergency clinic if your cat cannot walk, is crying out, is breathing with difficulty, has not urinated, or seems suddenly much worse.
Make home more comfortable while you wait
Alongside veterinary care, small changes at home help a sore cat get around with less effort:
- Offer a litter box with at least one low side so your cat does not have to climb.
- Place food, water and the litter box on the same floor your cat spends most time on.
- Add steps or a ramp to favorite high spots, or offer a lower resting place nearby.
- Provide soft, warm bedding in a quiet spot. A thick, washable Teddy fleece cat pad gives sore joints a cushioned place to rest.
- Keep play gentle and short, and let your cat choose how much to move.
Older cats are most likely to live with hidden chronic pain, so regular checkups matter. Our senior cat care guide covers what to watch for as your cat ages.
A softer place to rest
The CozeCat Teddy fleece pad gives sore, older cats a thick, warm and washable spot to curl up.
Frequently asked questions
How do cats show they are in pain?
Usually through behavior changes rather than crying: fewer jumps, stiffness, sleeping more, litter box accidents, grooming changes, withdrawal or aggression when handled, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
Do cats purr when they are in pain?
They can. Purring does not always mean a cat is comfortable, so look at behavior and facial expression as well.
Will a cat in pain still eat?
Often, yes. AAHA notes that cats with painful dental disease frequently keep eating, so a normal appetite does not rule out pain.
What is the Feline Grimace Scale?
A validated tool that scores five facial features (ears, eyes, muzzle, whiskers, head) from 0 to 2 each. Owners scoring 4 or more out of 10 are advised to contact their veterinarian.
What can I give my cat for pain at home?
Nothing without a veterinarian’s prescription. Human pain medicines can be very dangerous for cats. Comfort measures like soft bedding and a low-sided litter box can help while you arrange a vet visit.
Keep reading
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Pain Management for Cats
- Feline Grimace Scale
- Feline Grimace Scale: Practice Your Skills
- AAHA: Recognizing Pain in Cats
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your cat’s health, contact your veterinarian.
