The Truth About Pain in Cats
Cats are masters at hiding their pain, a skill they originally developed to protect themselves in the wild. When cats don’t feel their best, it keeps them from interacting with their caregiver as well as doing the things that they love. While we wish our cats could tell us exactly how they are feeling, they do offer us some clues.
Thankfully, caregivers don’t have to go it alone. Using validated veterinary pain scales and data sets from thousands of cats, a dedicated cat-centric expert team backed by veterinarians have created Sylvester.ai, an AI tool that instantly assesses your cat’s face through your phone. Dr. Frances Valentine is the lead animal behaviorist behind the tool.
“At Sylvester.ai we use facial cues to decode your cat’s comfort level. Grounded in science, and with over 350,000 pictures assessed, our tool has demonstrated over 86% accuracy at identifying cat pain. This early detection tool can let caregivers know if their cat is in pain and can track the health of a cat over time. We see this as just the beginning of our work in providing effective and proactive pet healthcare for cats everywhere.”
Dr. Matt McGlasson also has some tips to share:
Physical Signs:
Pet parents can also look for physical signs a cat is in pain. Here are some changes in how your pet looks and behaves you can watch out for.
Facial Expressions: Cats may squint, lower their head, lower their ears, tense their muzzle and/or have very stiff and straight whiskers when experiencing pain.
Posture: Relaxed, cats will stretch out and lie on their side or their back, but you may see them hunch or crouch more, walk stiffly, or tend to be restless before finding a comfortable lying position if they are in pain.
Grooming: A change in grooming habits is a clue that something may be wrong. Keep an eye out for excessive licking, or matted or greasy fur, signs a cat may be struggling to groom themselves.
Breathing: If you notice rapid or labored breathing, you should see a veterinarian immediately. A quick response can make sure your feline companion gets the help they need.
Behavior Changes:
In addition to physical signs of pain, behavior changes can also be an indicator your cat is not feeling their best. Caregivers tuned into their cat’s usual habits and routines can help spot when things change.
Decreased Mobility: Cats are known for being agile, but when they aren’t feeling well it is harder for them to move. Cats experiencing pain may become less playful. There may be more hesitation before jumping or being slow to climb the stairs.
Increased Negative Behaviors: Even the sweetest cat can be grumpy when they aren’t feeling well. You may notice an increase in aggressive behaviors in previously docile cats including biting or scratching.
Appetite Changes: Watch out for changes in how your cat normally eats and drinks. Some cats may consume less food and water while others consume more. The important thing is that something has changed.
Sleep Changes: Like appetite, sleep habits may change too. Pet parents may also see noticeable changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping less or sleeping more.
Litter Box Habits: When cats struggle to use their litter properly and have accidents outside the box, they may not be feeling their best. Watch to see if there’s an increase in visits to the litterbox or straining.
Increased Vocalization: Listen to the sounds your cat makes. Are they hissing, crying, howling or growling more frequently? This can be an expression of discomfort. Where does this happen? Knowing where they vocalise will give your vet an idea of what might be causing pain.
Detection Tools:
Technology makes it easier to tell if your cat is comfortable and to enable preventive care. Try Sylvester for free at my.sylvester.ai to find out how your cat is feeling today and over their lifetime.
This article was reviewed and edited by board-certified veterinarian Dr. Matt McGlasson and animal behaviorist Frances Valentine, PhD.
