Cats have been known to be masters at masking pain. Most owners would agree that they have trouble telling whether their feline is feeling okay. Although we assume that they don’t feel pain at all, they still do. They might not show it all the time, but not knowing if it’s there may lead to a bigger problem. There are different ways to tell if your cat is suffering and what has caused it.
Of course, there are multiple reasons why your pet is in pain. It can be more significant than stepping on its tail and falling from higher places. Certain diseases or infections can also cause it. However, it’s not easy to determine which part of the body is in pain. It’s essential to learn the causes and what you can do to relieve them from it.
Table of Contents
How Do You Know If Your Cat Is In Pain?
Most of the time, cats tend to hide the discomfort they’re feeling. Usually, it can last for an extended period of time. However, this is not a good trait that they should have, for it may affect their emotional levels. Each feline has different ways of expressing pain if it’s intolerable. That’s why you must keep an eye on these certain behaviors.
Less Playful
Cats are also playful animals, and some are pretty social. Lesser interest in playing might be a sign that something is wrong; check out this link //www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/dr-coates/2016/april/how-know-when-cat-hurting-33940 for further information. Moreover, they like to explore outside, and not showing any curiosity might be another hint.
Hiding Away
Although some shy and less social cats tend to hide all the time, this might be a change in behavior to active and social felines.
Sensitive To Touch
For example, if your pet hurt its paw, it’ll be susceptible when you touch that part. It’s the same for other parts of the body. At some point, you’ll be able to identify which part is in pain when you touch your feline.
Irritable
Just like with us humans, they also get easily irritated when feeling discomfort. It would be normal that they’re in a poor mood, and they’d be hissing most of the time. Groaning, meowing, or growling may also be a sign of discomfort.
Decrease In Appetite
When our felines are feeling uncomfortable because of their discomfort, it may lead to a reduced appetite. This means that they may lose weight because of it. Your beloved pet can get unhealthy, and it’s essential to keep this in check daily.
Change In Daily Activities
Your feline might refuse to do the things they used to do because they know it’ll cause them pain. They might not jump a lot or abandon play since they know they’ll feel discomfort.
The Causes Of Pain
Since our pet cats are like family to us, it’s essential to maintain their best state. It’s difficult for us to see that they’re suffering. We might always ask ourselves, is my cat in pain? On the bright side, we’re aware of how they act when they feel discomfort. Now that you know the different types of behaviors felines might show when feeling pain, here are the common reasons why.
Feline Idiopathic Cystitis
This is one of the most painful inflammatory bladder diseases, according to research. On the bright side, your feline won’t be able to hide this type of discomfort. Moreover, this disease is slightly easier to spot since you’ll notice your pet urinates all over the place. These hints will allow you to treat it before it gets worse.
Osteoarthritis
Research says that arthritis in cats is more likely to occur compared to dogs. You might be able to determine this condition when your cat doesn’t like to move very well. Limping can seldomly happen too.
Ingrown Claws
Probably one of the most common causes of discomfort. It usually happens when curly type claws don’t get trimmed regularly. It can easily be prevented by trimming your cat’s nails when needed. You might notice that your cat is licking its paws, limping, doing lesser activities like walking.
Top Three Cat Pain Tips
Go To The Vet
The best option you have as an owner is to check with a veterinarian first, this ensures proper ways on how to deal with it. Not knowing any medications or methods to make your cat feel better may result in something worse (read more). Moreover, you’ll be informed of what your feline is going through. Plus, they’ll be able to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. Not to mention you’ll know what has caused it rather than making guesses. Not to mention you’ll know what has caused it rather than making guesses. With an emergency vet visit can come a big, unexpected, expense. Save yourself from that future stress with pet insurance from Bivvy.com.
Organic Pain Relievers
We can all agree that natural remedies are somehow safer when you’re in doubt. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a specific medicine is good for our pets. However, any proven natural remedy gives us relief that it won’t harm our precious felines. CBD or cannabidiol is an example of one of the most tested and effective organic medicine. It can relieve pain of any sort in both humans and animals.
NSAIDs
Some cats can suffer from great discomfort after surgery. Veterinarians often use NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for relief. It’s usually used for both chronic and acute pain treatment. This medicine is proven to be effective in these treatments since it’s antipyretic, analgesic, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Although it’s not entirely safe in some studies, it’s one of the best therapeutic options.