Cats instinctively mask discomfort, which can make early changes easy to overlook in everyday routines.
Small shifts in behaviour, posture, grooming, or appetite often appear before obvious physical symptoms develop.
Recognising these quiet signals can help owners seek guidance sooner and support a cat’s comfort and wellbeing.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources.
Cats often hide signs of illness or discomfort, and behaviour can vary by age, breed, and individual temperament.
Any ongoing or sudden changes should be discussed with a qualified veterinarian.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Changes In Grooming Habits
Your cat’s coat tells a story about their health.
When felines feel unwell, they often stop caring for their fur the way they normally would.
You might notice their once-shiny coat looks greasy, tangled, or simply neglected.
On the flip side, some cats respond to pain by grooming one spot obsessively.
Watch for bald patches or irritated skin where your pet keeps licking.
Both extremes suggest something is bothering your companion.
Healthy cats spend considerable time maintaining their appearance, so any dramatic shift deserves attention from your veterinarian.
2. Altered Eating Or Drinking Habits
A cat who suddenly loses interest in meals may be dealing with dental problems or stomach pain.
Food that once excited your pet now sits untouched in the bowl.
Weight loss can follow quickly when cats stop eating regularly.
Changes in water consumption matter too.
Drinking far more than usual could point to kidney issues, while avoiding water altogether raises different concerns.
Track how often you refill bowls each day.
Any appetite change lasting more than a day warrants a call to your vet, since cats can develop serious liver problems when they skip meals.
3. Changes In Litter Box Behavior
Bathroom habits reveal plenty about feline health.
Cats with joint pain may struggle to climb into high-sided litter boxes, leading to accidents nearby.
Others might associate the box with discomfort if urination hurts, so they avoid it entirely.
Straining, crying out, or spending excessive time in the box suggests urinary tract problems.
Blood in urine or stool demands immediate veterinary care.
Even subtle changes like switching preferred spots deserve investigation.
Never punish litter box mistakes, as they often signal medical issues rather than behavioural problems your pet can control.
4. Changes In Posture Or Movement
Body language speaks volumes when cats hurt.
A hunched position with tucked limbs suggests abdominal pain or general discomfort.
Limping obviously indicates leg or paw problems, but stiffness can be harder to spot in creatures who naturally move with grace.
Watch how your cat rises from rest.
Hesitation, wobbling, or favouring certain legs all point toward joint or muscle issues.
Some cats walk differently, placing weight carefully to minimize pain with each step.
Record short videos of your pet moving around so your veterinarian can assess their gait and posture during the examination.
5. Increased Vocalization
Cats typically communicate through body language rather than sound, so excessive meowing often means something is wrong.
Your normally quiet companion might start crying out when picked up, jumping down, or even just resting.
These vocalizations range from soft whimpers to loud yowls.
Nighttime crying is particularly common in cats with cognitive decline or chronic pain that worsens when they try to sleep.
Growling or hissing when touched in specific areas pinpoints where discomfort lives.
Some cats purr more when hurting, using the vibration as self-soothing behaviour.
Document when and where vocalization happens to help your vet identify patterns.
6. Sensitivity To Touch
Your usually affectionate cat suddenly snaps when you reach for their favourite petting spot.
Pain makes even gentle touches feel threatening, triggering defensive reactions like biting, scratching, or running away.
Areas that never bothered them before become completely off limits.
Some cats tense up visibly when you approach certain body parts.
Others tolerate brief contact but quickly signal they want you to stop.
Pay attention to these boundaries your pet is setting through their reactions.
Respect these warnings rather than pushing through them, and schedule a veterinary exam to discover what is causing the new sensitivity.
7. Changes In Facial Expression
Feline faces hold clues that are easy to overlook.
Squinted or partially closed eyes often indicate head pain, dental issues, or general discomfort.
The opposite can happen too, with pupils staying dilated even in bright light when cats feel stressed by pain.
Look at the overall tension in your cat’s face.
Flattened ears, tight whiskers pulled back, and a clenched jaw all suggest something hurts.
Some cats develop a worried expression that differs from their usual relaxed look.
Photographing your cat’s face during calm moments gives you a baseline for comparison when you suspect problems later on.
8. Changes In Interactions With Others
Social butterflies who suddenly prefer solitude may be dealing with pain.
Cats often isolate themselves when unwell, choosing quiet hiding spots over family activities.
Your lap cat stops seeking cuddles, or your playful pet avoids other household animals.
The reverse happens too, with some cats becoming unusually clingy or demanding when they hurt.
Aggression toward familiar people or pets can emerge from nowhere.
These personality shifts reflect how discomfort changes their tolerance for normal interactions.
Track both withdrawal and increased neediness as potential warning signs that something is affecting your cat’s wellbeing and comfort level.
