9 Subtle Signs Your Cat Is Hurting

Cats are built to hide pain. That quiet, regal stare? A survival trick from their wild ancestors. The problem for us is obvious: when a cat hides discomfort, we can miss the early warnings until a small issue becomes a big one.

I wrote this because owners often tell me, “I thought it was nothing.” That line is the most dangerous. Below are nine subtle signals—what to look for, a short at-home test you can do safely, what to record for the vet, and a simple comfort step you can take right away.

Short paragraphs. Real tests. No nonsense.

Quick note before you start

If your cat is vocalizing sharply, struggling to breathe, bleeding, collapsing, or refusing to eat or drink for more than 24 hours — call your vet or emergency clinic now. The checks below are for subtle, non-emergency signs.

1. Micro-flinches or tiny tremors

What it looks like: Small, involuntary muscle twitches localized to one area—lower back, flank, or a limb. Not the whole-body shiver from cold; these are quick, repeat twitches you only notice if you’re watching closely.

At-home test: While your cat is relaxed, gently place a hand along their back and run it slowly toward the hips and base of the tail. Watch their face and body language—do they tense, pull away, or show a micro-flinch? Try again when they stretch or stand up.

What to record: Location, frequency (how many times in 10 minutes), triggers (movement, touch, rest), and any sounds.

Comfort now: Soft heated bed (a hot-water-bottle wrapped in a towel works), avoid manipulating the area, and keep litter, food, and water on the same level.

Urgency: Moderate — see the vet within a few days, sooner if it worsens.

2. Grooming gaps or over-grooming

What it looks like: Either matted, greasy fur because your cat skipped grooming, or bald/irritated patches from excessive licking.

At-home test: Part the fur across the hips, flanks, and underbelly. Look for shifts in texture—greasy, clumpy, wet, or raw skin. Note whether the issue is one-sided or localized.

What to record: Exact spot(s), size of the patch, skin condition (redness, scabs), and when you first noticed it.

Comfort now: Don’t force grooming. If mats are small and your cat tolerates it, gently brush around the area; if over-grooming is obvious, ask your vet about a temporary soft collar to stop further damage.

Urgency: Moderate — could indicate localized pain (e.g., spinal, dental) or skin irritation.

3. Altered blinking, squinting, or eye changes

What it looks like: Squinting, holding an eye partially closed, a visible third eyelid, tears, or discharge.

At-home test: In good lighting, watch your cat blink normally. Is one eye different? Briefly and gently shine a soft light (phone flashlight) toward the eye to see if there’s sensitivity—pull back immediately if they flinch.

What to record: Which eye, discharge color, frequency of squinting, and whether they paw at the eye.

Comfort now: Dim the lights, keep dust/strong smells away, and don’t attempt any drops unless prescribed by your vet.

Urgency: Urgent — eye pain can damage vision; see your vet within 24 hours.

Micro-moment: The tiniest detail that stuck with me—my neighbor’s cat blinked oddly for two days; I thought he was sleepy. Vet found a corneal ulcer after one look. That slow blink wasn’t sleepiness. It was pain.

4. Appetite dips or subtle eating changes

What it looks like: Not a full refusal, but leaving a few kibbles, taking much longer to eat, favoring one side of the mouth, or dropping food while chewing.

At-home test: Measure food portions for a few days. Offer a soft, aromatic food and see if they approach it differently. Watch for head tilts, pawing at the mouth, or drooling.

What to record: Amount eaten vs. usual, how they chew, weight change, bad breath.

Comfort now: Offer warmed (not hot) soft food and shallow bowls at a comfortable height. If dental pain is suspected, avoid hard kibble until the vet checks teeth.

Urgency: High if appetite drops significantly or weight loss appears—book a vet visit soon.

5. Reluctance to jump, climb, or move

What it looks like: Hesitation before jumping to a favorite chair, using lower routes, or suddenly avoiding high perches.

At-home test: Place a favorite treat on a low shelf and then on a slightly higher one. Watch whether they attempt the jump, hesitate, or use an alternate route. Note any stiffness after resting.

What to record: Which movements are avoided, whether stiffness improves after activity, and any limping.

Comfort now: Provide ramps, steps, or lower access points to favorite spots. Move food and litter to ground level.

Urgency: Moderate — common early sign of arthritis or joint pain.

6. Hiding, withdrawal, or sudden aggression

What it looks like: More time spent under the bed, behind furniture, or refusing social contact. Or the opposite—snapping when touched where they previously loved pets.

At-home test: Observe patterns—are they hiding during the day, at night, or always? Try approach tests: sit quietly and offer a hand at normal speed. Don’t force interaction; if they hiss, retreat.

What to record: Onset, triggers for aggression or hiding, and whether other pets or family members are involved.

Comfort now: Give space. Make the hiding spot comfortable with bedding, water, and a litter box nearby.

Urgency: Moderate — behavior changes are often the first sign that something’s wrong.

7. Increased or unusual vocalization

What it looks like: New meows, persistent purring at odd times, low cries, growls, or hisses not previously heard.

At-home test: Note when the sounds happen—while moving, when touched, or randomly at night. Record the pitch and duration.

What to record: Type of vocalization, timing, and whether it follows movement or contact.

Comfort now: Keep the room calm and speak softly. Purring can be self-soothing—don’t assume it means “happy.”

Urgency: Moderate — persistent new vocalization calls for vet attention.

8. Changes in posture or facial expression

What it looks like: Hunched back, tucked head, flattened ears, narrowed eyes, or a tense, guarded body. These are classic pain faces in cats.

At-home test: Take photos or short videos when you notice the posture. Compare over days. Try gentle stroking in neutral areas—does their expression change?

What to record: Time of day, duration, any triggers, and attach photos for the vet if possible.

Comfort now: Offer soft bedding and avoid touching the painful area. Warmth and quiet help.

Urgency: Moderate to high depending on frequency and severity.

9. Restlessness or trouble finding a comfortable position

What it looks like: Getting up and lying down repeatedly, pacing, or sleeping in rigid, awkward postures.

At-home test: Track how often they change position in the night. Note whether restlessness follows activity or eating.

What to record: Frequency of restless episodes, sleep duration changes, and unusual sleeping postures.

Comfort now: Provide multiple soft, warm spots at different heights and limit nighttime disturbances.

Urgency: Moderate — can indicate internal discomfort or chronic pain developing.

How to do a safe, basic physical check at home

Keep it short. Five minutes is enough. If your cat resists, stop.
Start when they’re calm—after a nap or during petting.
Gently palpate limbs, spine, and abdomen. Apply light pressure and watch for flinches.
Check mouth briefly: lift the lip to look for redness, broken teeth, or bad breath. Don’t force—open-only-if-they’re-relaxed.
Use your phone to record any odd movements, vocalizations, or faces. Vets love short clips.

Write down times and details. A clear note like “May 10, 8:05am—left hind leg micro-flinch when standing; 3/10 frequency during 10-min watch” is gold to a vet.

What to tell your vet (and why it matters)

Vets don’t need your gut feelings; they need specifics. Bring:

When you first noticed the sign and how it changed over time.
Frequency and context (e.g., “flinches when jumping, 4/10 times”).
Any home remedies you tried and the response.
Short videos or photos.
Recent weight change and appetite log (even a week-long food log helps).

Specifics speed diagnosis. Vague “she’s off” statements force more tests, more stress, and slower relief.

A real story I can’t forget (100–200 words)

Two years ago my cat Loki—boisterous, counter-jumping Loki—started leaving one side of his bowl untouched. Not empty, just a few kibbles. I assumed he’d gotten picky. Two weeks later he stopped jumping, and I finally forced myself to book the vet. The vet found a fractured molar that had been slowly painful. Loki had adapted, chewing on one side and avoiding higher effort. The tooth was extracted, and within days he ate normally and made the jump he’d avoided for weeks. If I’d kept waiting for the “big” symptom, he would’ve been in pain longer. That small change in eating was the clue. It cost me a vet visit and a dental procedure—worth every penny for the relief on his face afterward.

Immediate comfort checklist (what you can do right now)

Warm, soft bed in a quiet spot.
Low-sided litter box and elevated food/water if needed.
Avoid handling painful areas.
Offer strong-smelling soft food and keep fresh water nearby.
Record observations and a short video to show the vet.

When it’s urgent

Call your vet urgently if you see: severe breathing trouble, collapse, sudden blindness, severe bleeding, persistent straining in the litter box with little output, or sudden severe pain vocalizations. If in doubt, call. Remote triage services (telehealth) can help decide whether it’s an emergency.

Tools that help

If you want extra help tracking changes, apps like PetDesk or telehealth services can log symptoms and connect you with a vet. There are also AI tools (e.g., facial analysis apps) that help monitor chronic pain—use them as conversation starters with your vet, not replacements for exams.

Final thought

Cats hide pain because their survival depended on it once. As an owner, your job is to notice the little things—micro-changes, tiny habits—then act. Early detection means simpler treatments, faster recovery, and less stress for both of you.

If you leave with one practical task: pick one sign from this list that you’re least sure about and watch for it every day for a week. Record one video and one short note. You might be surprised what you notice.