Pain-related aggression in cats

What can cause a cat pain?

Many older cats often have chronic joint pain and stiffness, which makes them less tolerant of handling. Grooming can also be painful and unpleasant, especially if your cat has mated fur. Cats can then bite, tear and fight back because it hurts.

Your cat may also have injured itself acutely without you noticing and therefore does not want you to touch it.

How do can we help a cat in pain?

When a cat behaves differently, it is important to find the cause as soon as possible and try to help the cat. If the cat suffers from temporary pain caused by, for example, a tangle, we can help it by removing the tangle and preventing new tangles from forming.

If we find a wound, the cat may need to come to the vet for care of the wound.

Should the cat suffer from chronic pain, it needs to be examined by a veterinarian to get help with the underlying problem and possible treatment.

Don't forget, cats are experts at hiding pain

Cats are very good at hiding pain, so it is not always obvious that this is the reason for the cat's behaviour. If your cat is behaving differently or strangely, it is always good to have it examined by a veterinarian to rule out pain and/or illness.

Signs of pain in cats

As cats don't often like to show signs of weakness, it's a good idea to can keep an eye out for different behaviours and changes in your cat instead such as:

• Decreased mobility - For example, reluctance to jump, difficulty climbing stairs, stiffness and difficulty walking on the litter box
• Reduced activity - For example, sleeping more, hunting and playing less, sleeping in more accessible places and interacting less with people and other animals.
• Changed care of fur and claws - For example, washing less, having matted and tufted fur or overgrown claws and the cat over-washing painful areas.
• Temperament changes - For example, grumpier when handled and cuddled, grumpier towards other animals, being more to themself and interacting less with others.