Pet Care, Resources, and “The Vet Says“

How to Recognize Pain in Aging Cats

As cats age, we generally see changes in their behavior. The wild and crazy playful activities we associate with kittens give way to adult cats sleeping in the sun and prowling around the house. We commonly presume senior cats will take even longer naps in the sun or on our beds. It is important, however, to differentiate normal feline behaviors from abnormal ones, as some behavior changes in aging cats arise from pain and are not normal. Cats are very good at hiding signs of pain, so cat owners need to be very observant to recognize when their cat needs help.

Will the aging cats change their grooming behavior if they’re in pain?

One of the most common pain-associated behavior changes we see in aging cats is a decrease in grooming and self-care. Ca