One of the most well-known personality traits of cats is that they are experts at hiding pain. Therefore, it can be difficult for owners to tell when their cat is sick.
“Because cats are mesopredators – meaning they are both hunters and prey – they have a remarkable ability to hide signs of illness to avoid becoming a target,” explained Dr. Tracey Deiss, a veterinarian at Zoetis, to HuffPost.
The issue is that by the time an illness becomes noticeable to the owner, it may have already progressed significantly, making treatment more difficult.
That’s why experts have listed some of the subtle signs cats may show when they aren’t feeling well. Check them out:
1. Reduced activity
“Healthy cats sleep 90% of the day, but when they’re awake, they’re usually active — playing with toys, climbing to a favorite perch, or [getting the zoomies],” said Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, to HuffPost.
So if your previously energetic cat suddenly becomes extremely lethargic, it’s time to schedule a vet visit.
2. Hiding more often
Another instinctive behavior inherited from their wild ancestors — cats that are sick or in pain may begin hiding more than usual.
“Hiding is a defense mechanism. Sick cats hide because they don’t feel well enough to run from threats,” Hohenhaus explained.
Keep in mind that many healthy cats also hide simply because they enjoy napping in small, cozy places. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to overall behavior changes.
3. Excessive grooming
Grooming is a calming behavior for cats, but some sick cats may over-groom as a way to cope with stress.
“[This] can lead to alopecia, or hair loss,” said Dr. Krista Williams, a veterinarian at VCA Animal Hospitals, in a conversation with HuffPost.
“If you notice hair loss, check your cat for any underlying skin issues. If there are none, alopecia could be the result of a compulsive disorder.”
In addition to a vet visit to check for underlying causes, she also recommended enrichment activities to distract your cat if the behavior stems from a lack of mental stimulation. Catnip can also help reduce feline anxiety.
4. Excessive licking of one paw
“Cats don’t lick their paws as frequently as dogs. One reason a cat might excessively lick a paw is an ingrown nail,” said Hohenhaus.
“If they don’t have a sturdy scratching post or if a nail grows oddly, it may curl and grow back into the paw pad.”
5. Decreased appetite
Cats are usually very food-motivated, so if your cat suddenly stops eating, it’s a sign not to ignore. Beyond indicating a health issue, not eating for several days can trigger additional, serious conditions.
“Cats are especially prone to hepatic lipidosis — a potentially fatal liver condition — when they go without eating for several days,” warned Deiss.
“This condition occurs when their bodies start mobilizing fat to the liver for energy, which the liver cannot process efficiently, leading to fat accumulation and liver dysfunction.”
6. Not urinating
“Cats should urinate regularly, and if there’s no urine in the litter box for over 24 hours, that could indicate a blockage,” said Dr. Katie Krebs, assistant professor of clinical primary care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, to HuffPost.
“If not treated promptly, this can be fatal,” she added. While female cats can also experience blockages, male cats are particularly at risk of urethral obstructions that require immediate veterinary attention.
7. Sudden aggression
“A cat that suddenly becomes aggressive shouldn’t be [ignored], because they’re telling us something’s wrong,” warned Dr. Rebecca MacMillan, a veterinarian at TrustedHousesitters, to HuffPost.
“In my experience, a cat may hiss or lash out because they’re in pain or feeling unwell. However, we can also see behavior changes in stressed or anxious animals.”
8. Going outside the litter box
A cat that starts urinating or defecating outside the litter box, whether indoors or out, may be trying to signal that something is wrong. Since cats can’t directly tell us when they’re in pain, they may resort to this behavior.
Health conditions that may lead to this include bladder stones, bacterial infections, urinary tract issues, and kidney problems.
9. Bad breath
“Cats’ tendency toward dental issues is often overlooked because they typically hide pain and discomfort,” said Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian at Wellness Pet Food, to HuffPost.
“They’re less likely to lick you than dogs, so bad breath — which can be a warning sign — often goes unnoticed,” she added. She encouraged pet owners to watch for subtle behavioral or routine changes that could signal dental pain.
These include excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, head shaking, changes in eating habits, reduced grooming, hiding or isolating, and irritability.
“Bacteria can spread to the kidneys, heart, and liver. Good oral health is essential to help cats comfortably receive the nutrition they need for overall well-being.”
10. Litter box changes
Hohenhaus recommended using clumping litter, which can help cat owners track changes in the size and frequency of urine clumps. If your cat is urinating more than usual, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
“Another litter box change not to ignore is larger urine clumps. That indicates increased urine production. Cats produce more urine when they have diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or chronic kidney disease,” she said.
If a seemingly healthy cat suddenly leaves few or no urine clumps in the box, Hohenhaus advised checking whether your cat is urinating elsewhere and determining what may be causing the change.
11. Cat cough
While coughing isn’t always serious in dogs, it’s a different story for cats. “In cats, there are only a few causes of coughing, and most require medical intervention,” warned Krebs.
Asthma, respiratory infections, allergies, heartworm, inhalation of foreign objects, and cancer are among the conditions that can cause coughing in cats.
12. Pale mucous membranes
“This can be harder to detect in cats, especially if they don’t let you routinely look inside their mouth, but if a cat’s gums appear paler than usual, I wouldn’t ignore it,” said Krebs.
“That could be a sign of blood loss or poor circulation, and when combined with lethargy or other symptoms, it’s a medical concern.” She recommends pet owners get familiar with their cat’s normal gum color so they can monitor for changes.
13. Drinking more water than usual
“Cats typically don’t drink a lot, so if your cat’s water bowl is being emptied more frequently, don’t ignore it,” warned MacMillan.
“A cat that is drinking significantly more than usual may be suffering from an underlying health issue,” she added, citing diabetes, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism as potential causes of increased thirst.
Photo and video: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
