Pain in the cat is often more difficult to recognize than in the dog. Cats often disguise the fact they are in pain. Hiding signs of pain is common trait in many animals as it is necessary for survival in the wild. Cats that appeared sick, injured, or in pain were more vulnerable to predators. This trait has carried over into our households causing many cats to suffer unnecessary unless we, as caretakers, are tuned in to subtle changes in our cats.

As a excellent rule of thumb, the best way to identify pain in our animals is, if the problem would cause you and I pain, then if will cause pain in your pet. For instance, an ear infection is very painful for us, so we know that it has to be painful in our pet.

Common signs of pain in cats are may include any of the following

• Changes in vocal patterns, including increase of hissing, growling, and even purring
• Withdrawing from social interaction
• Decreased appetite
• Grooming less, looking unkept
• Changes in sleeping pattern, especially sleeping more
• Licking, biting, or scratching a particular area
• Restless, repetitively getting up and lying down
• Reluctancy to move
• Difficulty getting up from a laying position
• Trembling or shaking
• Limping
• Not jumping or leaping as high
• Changes in facial expression including grimacing, furrowed brow, vacant stare, looking sleepy, enlarged pupils, or flattened ears
• Panting while resting
• No longer wanting to be held or picked up
• Any other behavior change that is out of character for the cat

If your cat exhibits any of these behaviors, have your cat evaluated for pain.

To add to the difficulties of identifying pain, cats are very sensitive to many of the traditional medications routinely used. Treating cats with alternative therapies such as laser therapy has improved pain management in the cat.