Signs Your Cat Is in Pain
Short answer. Cats are good at hiding pain, so the signs are usually small changes. Cats Protection lists hiding, being less tolerant of people, stiffness after rest, not jumping up or down, a hunched crouch with squinted eyes, a scruffy coat or overgrooming, eating or drinking less, and crying out in the litter tray. If you notice any of them, book a vet check. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (6 sections)
Behaviour
Cats Protection says a cat in pain may become less tolerant of people, more anxious or fearful, restless or pacing, withdrawn and hiding more, or may sleep more and slow down. It also notes that some cats purr when they are in pain. Source: Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats.
Posture and movement
It lists stiffness after resting, hesitating to jump down from furniture or use the cat flap, favouring one leg on the stairs, and crouching hunched over. Source: Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats.
The face: the Feline Grimace Scale
Cats Protection includes squinting eyes among the signs. The Feline Grimace Scale, developed at the Université de Montréal, is a validated tool for judging acute pain from a cat's facial expression: five features of the face are each scored from 0 to 2, and its makers say it is reliable for owners as well as vets, with a free app. Sources: Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats; Feline Grimace Scale, Université de Montréal.
Coat, food and litter tray
Cats Protection lists a scruffy or matted coat or overgrooming, eating or drinking less than usual, and crying out when moving or using the litter tray. Source: Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats. More: litter box problems and cat drinking more than usual.
When to see the vet
Cats Protection says that if your cat's behaviour changes or you see any of these signs, you should arrange a vet visit, and recommends regular health checks even when there are no signs. Never give a cat human painkillers: ibuprofen and paracetamol in pets. Source: Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats.
Sources
- Cats Protection, Signs of pain in cats, read 7 November 2026.
- Feline Grimace Scale, Université de Montréal, read 7 November 2026.
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