Hidden Pain in Older Cats: Why They Turn Grumpy and Avoid Touch
๐จ Check first
If a senior cat who used to be calm and affectionate suddenly starts growling or biting when held or brushed, or avoids the family and hides in the closet, it is not a personality change; it is a sign of strong, chronic pain somewhere in the body.
๐ The answer in 3 seconds
- There are 3 typical places where cats hide pain: 1) the lower back, hips, and elbows (arthritis), 2) the mouth (periodontal disease, resorptive lesions), and 3) the belly (constipation, cystitis, pancreatitis, tumors).
- Also, if a cat aged 7 or older has an unusually big appetite yet keeps losing weight, has glaring eyes, is irritable, and cries at night, hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is extremely likely.
- Gently watch which spots make the ears flatten sideways (airplane ears) or the skin on the back twitch when touched, and tell your vet.
๐ Flowchart
- Step 1When your cat is relaxed, gently stroke in this order: head, neck, shoulders, back, lower back (base of the tail), belly. Note which spot makes them swish their tail, turn around angrily, or run away the moment your hand gets there.
- Step 2Watch your cat's facial expression using a pain scale (eyes narrowed and slanted, whiskers pushed forward, ears spread sideways and lowered, hunched in a loaf position without moving) and take photos.
- Step 3Have a physical exam and blood tests at a veterinary clinic (in senior cats especially, add a T4 thyroid hormone test), and get pain relief or treatment that matches the cause.
โญ Step-by-step fix
Step 1 ยท What you can do at home right now
When your cat is relaxed, gently stroke in this order: head, neck, shoulders, back, lower back (base of the tail), belly. Note which spot makes them swish their tail, turn around angrily, or run away the moment your hand gets there.
Step 2
Watch your cat's facial expression using a pain scale (eyes narrowed and slanted, whiskers pushed forward, ears spread sideways and lowered, hunched in a loaf position without moving) and take photos.
Step 3
Have a physical exam and blood tests at a veterinary clinic (in senior cats especially, add a T4 thyroid hormone test), and get pain relief or treatment that matches the cause.
โ Never do this
- Deciding your cat has "become selfish" or "turned aggressive from senility" and scolding them, or continuing to brush spots they hate.
- Trying to work out mats that formed because pain kept your cat from grooming by pulling on them with a comb (pulling the skin causes intense pain; cut hardened mats with scissors or clippers, leaving some hair at the base so you do not cut the skin).
๐ Make notes for the vet
Your notes save automatically on this device, so they stay even without a signal at the clinic.