Cats are famously good at hiding discomfort, a survival instinct left over from their wild ancestors. That makes it especially important to know the subtle signals that something might be wrong.
Hiding More Than Usual
A cat who suddenly spends most of the day tucked away in closets or under furniture, away from their usual routine, may be dealing with pain or illness.
Changes in Grooming Habits
Both over-grooming a specific area (which can indicate localized pain) and under-grooming, leading to a greasy or matted coat, are worth paying attention to.
Posture and Body Language
A hunched posture, tucked tail, or a cat who sits unusually still and tense — rather than in their normal relaxed loaf or stretch — can be signaling discomfort.
Appetite and Litter Box Changes
Eating less, drinking less, or changes in litter box habits (straining, accidents outside the box, changes in stool) are all signs worth mentioning to your vet.
Reluctance to Jump or Move
A cat who used to leap onto counters and shelves but now hesitates or avoids it altogether may be dealing with joint pain, which is easy to mistake for “just getting older.”
Facial Expression
Vets increasingly use “grimace scale” cues — squinted eyes, flattened ears, and tense whiskers can all indicate a cat is in pain, even without any obvious injury.
Vocalization Changes
Unusual growling, hissing when touched in a specific spot, or excessive vocalizing (or going unusually quiet) can all be signals.
Final Thoughts
Because cats mask pain so well, subtle behavioral shifts are often the only clue you get. When in doubt, a vet visit is always worth it — better a false alarm than a missed problem.
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