How Do you Know if a Cat is in Pain?

Pain in felines can be extremely difficult to detect since, unlike what happens in dogs, its manifestations are more subtle. For this reason, it is essential to be very attentive to any change in your behavior, in order to detect when something is not right in their body.

Far from the popular belief that animals are insensitive, the reality is that they manifest their discomfort through behavioral changes that veterinary medicine professionals recognize more easily, however; we owners of our pets can also detect it.

Pain is a protective mechanism of the body; whose physiological function is to indicate to the nervous system that something is wrong in a part of the body. The definition according to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) is: unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with an actual or potential tissue injury, or that can be described as such damage. But we have to take into account that, depending on the species or breed, the pain perception will be variable and the behavior of the animal in the face of pain, too.

Traumatized Cat Symptoms

In the home, changes will occur in feline social behavior and enrichment of its communication, but not in its attitude towards pain. This is the reason why, on several occasions, the pain levels of cats that come to veterinary consultations are very high.

The pain in the feline may not be evident in an obvious way but, although it does not verbalize, it sends a large number of signals. Some of these manage to indicate that something is not quite right and we have to recognize them as a clear manifestation of pain. The most important are the following:

The change of character to aggressive or shy

Sociable animals will try to flee, while other surly animals will react aggressively to manipulation of the painful area.

The posture

Usually, the animal will tend to protect the painful area, with the head down, the ears lowered, and the tail towards the ground or between the posterior extremities. Normally they will not want to move as much as they used to. Their eyes are semi-closed and, if we approach, they could dilate their pupils, throw their ears back, adopt a defensive posture, and even lead to an attack.

Cleanliness

This will be reduced, thus presenting the cat with a poor general appearance with piloerection, caking of the coat, and even urine and feces stains. Some individuals, on the other hand, will lick or bite an area obsessively, even going as far as self-mutilation.

Feeding

The consumption of water and food will be reduced and even eliminated.

Pheromone release

The pain will lead to the release of very adherent interdigital pheromones that will bind strongly to the support in which the cat is located and that do not express anything other than alarm.

Auditory communication

They may snort and growl, but the most curious thing of all is that the purr may persist.

Fortunately, an attentive owner recognizes the signs of pain that his cat shows at the time of pain.

CBD Oil For Cats

CBD Oil for Cats is made from the finest organic hemp, which is grown in Colorado and inspired by our own experiences with CBD for felines in pain. Each product is made with only the best human-grade ingredients and we thoroughly test each one.

Symptoms of Cat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

In order to detect the symptoms of feline stress and treat it before the problem worsens, you have to be aware of behavioral or physical changes. Although they can have other causes, common symptoms of a stressed cat are usually:

• 

  wakanmuri / CC BY

  Relieving themselves outside the litter box or in unusual places in the house.

• Displays compulsive or stereotypical behaviors, such as excessive grooming or spasmodically contracting the muscles of the back.
• Show sudden aggressive behaviors.
• Eat less, stop eating altogether, or start eating strange things, such as pieces of cloth.
• Mark with urine or nails more than usual.
• Open the mouth in an exaggerated or continuous way.

On the other hand, if the cat remains stressed for a long time, it can develop physical symptoms, such as respiratory, urinary, or gastrointestinal disorders or diseases. Ongoing or chronic stress can alter your cat’s behavior and even cause health problems. For this reason, it is so important to avoid sources of stress and allow it to develop its natural behavior, of course, as much as possible.

Following these instructions, taking your cat to a vet, not forcing interactions, and having large doses of patience with the animal, will help your feline to be healthy and happy.