Do you know when your cat is in pain? "Of course!" - Many will hurry to answer with confidence. But not everything is so simple, to “see” cat pain is not at all as easy as it might seem at first glance.
Hidden suffering
Cats hide their pain, and for them it is natural. Unlike dogs and some other animals, cats can behave outwardly quite normally, despite the pain. In public, they do not show their pain in any way, but, left alone, begin to intensively lick the affected area.
So why do cats hide their pain? The main reason is the instinct of self-preservation. In nature, a sick or injured animal is extremely vulnerable to attack. Wild ancestors of the cat tried not to make unnecessary sounds, quickly find a reliable shelter and hide there. Cats are not gregarious animals, unlike dogs, to whom open demonstration of their emotions helps to get support. The cat will hide the pain to the last, while she has strength.
Studies have shown: when an animal is in pain, endorphins begin to be produced intensively, which affect the emotional state and dull the sensations.
Cats do not show pain in a way that is familiar to us, as we and some other domestic animals would do. Because of this feature, veterinarians and owners of cats have long mistakenly believed that cats do not experience pain at all. But this is no more than one of the many myths about cats.
If there is no contact and trust between the cat and its owner, she will endure and hide her problem until the very end. Severe pain is the main biological stress and affects many aspects of the animal’s physical health, including wound healing and resistance to infectious diseases. Studies have shown that operated cats, whose pain was controlled before and after the procedure, are much better rehabilitated than those whose pain was not given due attention.
Pain can be different
The pain can be acute and chronic. If acute is usually easy enough to see, t. To. there are circumstances in which it arose (trauma, surgery, etc.), it is more difficult to notice chronic pain: there are no obvious injuries and changes in behavior. Nevertheless, timely detected chronic pain can save a cat's life, because she is an important symptom of the disease.
Reasons acute painmay be: surgical injury; fractures of limbs, other bones; injuries resulting from accidents; diseases of the genitourinary system; corneal ulcers.
Most common causes chronic pain- arthritis (osteoarthritis and degenerative joint damage), pain with a disease such as cancer. The animal suffers from chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), chronic wounds, chronic cystitis.
In addition, zoopsychologists claim that cats may experience emotional painand a feeling similar to grief in people.
Dangerous symptoms
Determining if your cat is in pain is like playing a detective: you must carefully observe and evaluate the slightest changes in your pet’s behavior.
First, draw an analogy with yourself. If a cat is to undergo surgery, it is injured or suffers from a “human” disease that causes us pain, it can be assumed that the cat is also uncomfortable.
Secondly, pay attention to the slightest changes in the behavior of your pet. These are the first signs of pain or an onset of illness. The better you know your cat and her habits, the faster you will be able to understand: something is wrong with her. To recognize pain, you need to know what behavior is normal for a cat: its level of activity, gait, appetite, water intake, duration of sleep, posture during sleep, and other features.
What are some signs that a cat is hurt?
1. Behavioral change
If a superactive cat suddenly begins to sleep most of the day, this may be a sign of ill health. This is indicated and, conversely, by hyperactivity and restlessness of a usually calm cat.
The animal may lose interest in favorite food and water, food preferences change.
A cat can become irritable and even show aggression in relation to other pets or to a person.
A sign of pain can be a lack of desire to visit their usual favorite places. For example, the cat used to love to sit on the windowsill or on the head of the bed, but now you don’t notice it there. If she stopped jumping as often and high as before, had difficulty climbing stairs, her overall physical activity decreased, her place of sleep changed to a simpler one to reach - all this is abnormal.
One of the common problems in cats of old age are teeth. Therefore, if your pet has become angry and gloomy, then it is unlikely that this is simply from old age. Perhaps the cat is tormented by sore teeth, and as soon as this problem is solved, she will again be just as fun.
2. The desire to stay alone
The cat shows in every way that he wants to stay alone. If she starts to growl or hiss when she is stroked, touched, or picked up, this is a sure sign that something is bothering her.
3. Search for a secluded place
The cat knows that pain makes her vulnerable, so she will try to hide or find a reliable shelter. Thus, she will be able to avoid meeting with stronger animals and not become their victim. Therefore, the animal can reduce communication with the owners, other pets.
4. Too long sleep or sleep in one pose
Pay attention to the position in which your cat is sleeping. If she began to choose any one pose, especially if earlier it was not typical for her, think: maybe this is the problem.
5. Licking the same area
Cats with pain, hoping to find relief in the place of its localization, often and persistently lick this area. So, with a relapse of cystitis, cats can begin to intensively lick their stomach.
6. Reluctance in personal care
Being dirty and untidy is not normal for adult animals. Cats are well-known cleanlings, they do an excellent job of caring for themselves. Therefore, if the pet has lost interest in his appearance - this is an occasion to show it to the veterinarian.
7. A look fixed on nowhere
Glazed and wide-open eyes, especially coupled with an unnatural posture, often indicate that the animal suffers greatly. The eyes in general can be an indicator of pain in a cat, regardless of whether the pain is localized in the eye itself or in another part of the body. In cats with pain, the pupils will be dilated.
8. Changes related to the “toilet” issue and the visit to the tray
It can be painful for cats with joint problems to sit on the tray “as usual”. In this regard, urine may fall above the sides of the "toilet".
9. Constant purring
The rumbling of a cat is a means of communication and self-healing. She purrs not only to give us joy and to show other cats her friendly disposition towards them. Thus, the animal can calm down: it makes such sounds in stressful situations, during childbirth and injuries.
Various studies have shown that with the help of purring cats can reduce their pain and even accelerate recovery. Sound vibrations in the frequency range with rumbling promote healing and increase bone density. The constant unceasing purr of your cat is a serious reason to draw attention to it.
If you notice the “suspicious” behavior of your pet described above, take her to a veterinarian for examination, do not try to diagnose the cat yourself. In addition to the fact that pain is just a symptom of the onset of a disease, be aware that many painkillers for humans are contraindicated for cats. Consult with your doctor, he will prescribe the drug, dosage and interval.
Irina KOSTYUCHENKO, felinologist
Nadrukavana ў "Rodnay pryrodze"
A cat is a predator by nature. And, as a predator, she usually stoically tolerates pain and tries to hide her weakness from prying eyes, because in the wild the weak do not survive, and in the domestic cat there are many features of her wild ancestors. A very small percentage of cats will show their weakness to the owner. Therefore, the owners of the mustachioed ones have to recognize the pet's malaise by indirect signs.
I will explain why this is necessary.
Pain often accompanies many known diseases and pathologies. She is the most striking symptom at the beginning of the disease, by changing the behavior of the cat, you can recognize that she has a problem and solve this problem BEFORE the disease goes too far. In most cases, when the owner finally clearly sees that his pet is sick, the pathological process is far from the initial stage and often overgrows with complications. And everyone knows: the earlier the diagnosis is made, the more successful and effective the treatment will be.
I want to add that the cat's body has a unique protective property: as soon as the animal begins to feel pain, endorphins that have the ability to reduce pain begin to be produced in the body. Along the way, endorphins affect the emotional state. The stronger the pain, the more the cat’s behavior changes.
The inconvenience for the veterinarian is that in an unfamiliar place (in the clinic) the cat will hide his discomfort to the maximum, so it is very important to tell the doctor at the reception about his observations and how the cat behaves at home. Often people bring cats complaining of lameness, for example, and the cunning mustachioed in the hands of the doctor tries to hide the pain during palpation, and is absolutely not lame in the clinic. In such cases, visual diagnosis is difficult and we pay great attention to the observations of the hosts in order to understand what tests should be performed.
It is possible to determine whether a cat feels pain by observing such signs as the position of the body in space; gait; reaction to palpation and attempts to touch the sore spot; emotional condition; appetite and thirst; search for privacy; external signs, for example, the appearance of a third century covering the eyes ... Of course, not all cats with the signs listed below will experience pain and not all cats will show these signs when they are in pain, but I will try to collect the most complete list of possible manifestations of pain and discomfort.
So, let's begin.
Visible signs of pain in cats:
1) dilated pupils (although they expand not only with pain, but also with fear, agitation and a number of diseases, as well as when changing lighting to darker, but pupils dilated for a long time in good light are not the norm);
2) The cat leaves and hides, outgoing cats do not want to communicate, if the cat chose to stay away from people like that - she becomes even more gloomy, tries to make sure that she is not touched once again;
3) It does not allow itself to be touched, it reacts aggressively to attempts to touch, stroke, hold hands, especially if the pain is sharp or sharp (of course, there are cats that initially have such a character, but it will be noticeable by them that they are even more aggressive , than usual);
4) Unmotivated aggression: a cat growls, bites, can also be aggressive towards a sore part of the body, if it lies and growls, and if you pass or hurt it, it may throw itself on your arm or leg (also rather acute or severe pain);
5) The cat sits in one place in one pose, reacts negatively to attempts to forcefully change its position;
6) Lethargy, apathy, depression (with long chronic pains, with not severe pains, some cats can react to any pain in this way, almost all - to serious pathologies of internal organs), eyes can be half-closed or partially covered by the third century;
7) Lack of appetite (not only a sign of pain, but also nausea, stress and many other conditions, in any case, the absence of appetite for more than a day is not normal);
8) Rapid, shallow or labored breathing (with severe pain, intoxication, agitation, stress, as well as with a number of diseases) is a very important point, cats are susceptible to respiratory distress syndrome, this is a life-threatening complication, accompanied by pulmonary edema. Heavy, frequent, shallow breathing in a cat is an occasion for an urgent visit to a veterinary clinic;
9) Urination in the wrong places (here you can see from two sides: on the one hand, pain due to diseases of the urinary system, on the other hand, pain in the joints, for example, a cat ignores the tray because of the sides, which are difficult to overcome);
10) Lameness, stretching the legs (not always lameness means damage to the limbs, sometimes lameness is a reflection of diseases of internal organs);
11) Licking a disturbing area (we all know that cats lick their wounds and itchy places with a rough tongue, only their tongue is like sandpaper and this is far from good);
12) The cat stops jumping on the sofa, window sills, chairs, climbing stairs or a multi-level cat's house (pains in the limbs, axial skeleton, pains in the broccal cavity, weakness as a result of systemic and viral diseases);
13) Drowsiness, unusually long sleep, it is difficult to wake up even eating, if the cat is awakened, she leaves, looks for herself a quiet corner and sleeps again, does not respond to attempts to play, stroke and treats, as well as other animals;
14) The cat all the time trying to find a comfortable position, tossing and turning, moving from place to place, changing poses and can not get comfortable;
15) A loud sound - usually a scream, in case of sharp, sharp, strong, unexpected pain (stepped on, pinched the tail with the door) - here the cat lets you know that you are wrong, hurt her and gives a signal to stop you;
16) The cat stops caring for itself, licking hair, can focus grooming only on the disturbing part of the body (if it is available), if the cat has abandoned self-care - this is an alarming sign, something is not in order;
17) Complaint meowing when changing the position of the body (when he gets up, lies down, sits down) - usually accompanies sharp and sharp pains, usually depends on the nature of the cat and proximity to the person, will she complain or not, can do it when she thinks you don’t see and do not hear;
18) Pain and itching in the muzzle, especially the eyes, are accompanied by the fact that the cat rubs her eyes with her paw, constantly rubs her muzzle on surrounding objects in an attempt to scratch the itchy place;
19) Pain and discomfort in the oral cavity are also accompanied by attempts to get into the mouth with a paw, rub against surrounding objects + tilt your head to the healthy side when eating food, there may be salivation;
20) Pain in the ears is accompanied by a tilt of the head in one direction, so a cat can often shake its head, scratch its ears;
21) Violation of bowel movement and urination: frequent visits to the tray, sometimes to no avail, weakness when trying to take a pose for the process, constant change of position already in the process, unsuccessful attempts (empty tray);
22) Tense posture: the cat sits or stands with its hunched back (usually this pose indicates pain in the abdominal cavity, but there are exceptions), sits or lies with its hunched back and head bowed, or on its side with its hind legs pressed up.
Of course, it is not necessary that all 22 points be demonstrated by your cat, one or two adjusting changes in behavior already indicate that the cat may be hurt.
And now the bonus: most cats show signs of pain and anxiety when they think that humans and other animals do not see them. In order to catch changes in the cat’s behavior in the initial stage, you need to quietly observe for some time how it behaves. Imperceptibly not in the sense of "hide", but, for example, go about their business and out of the corner of their eyes to a cat, to a cat.
Based on materials from the site www.animalwised.com, Josie F. Turner, 2018
If a cat lives with you, you, of course, have noticed that it sometimes exhibits rather strange behavior. Occasionally the cat lies on its back, exposing its belly. Even stranger is the fact that when she tries to stroke her, she can attack her hand, biting and making paw-like movements resembling rabbits. This is especially embarrassing for dog owners, as dogs usually love being cuddled in this way.
However, this feature of feline behavior (like many others) cannot be considered strange, just because we do not understand it. Although cats may not like being touched on their stomach, they have their own reasons for adopting this pose. The article attempts to explain this mysterious aspect of feline body language.
To understand the reasons, you need to figure out what makes cats take one or another pose. The key to understanding is the fact that animals communicate differently than we do. People also use body language when communicating, but to a much lesser extent than animals. Animals poses and movements actively communicate their mood, emotions and perception of the environment. This is especially surprising given the rich possibilities of using voice capabilities for this. The partners for whom the signals are intended may be hunting victims, other cats, and even humans.
Usually, when a cat lies on its back, showing its stomach, this means that it is in a relaxed, calm state and feels good. Cats can take such a pose only when they feel safe, and only those people or animals with whom a trusting relationship has already been established are nearby. Since the situation is vulnerable, it is understood that there are no enemies nearby who can take advantage of this. If the cat lies on your back near you, it thereby demonstrates its full confidence. This means that her connection with the owner is strong enough, your presence creates a sense of security.
The confusion in understanding the meaning of this position is caused by the fact that it simultaneously transmits several signals. When a cat shows his stomach, it is almost certainly a friendly gesture, it implies that she wants to be played with her or is expecting some other kind of response. In this case, the posture serves for positive stimulation. However, it hardly means that the cat will tolerate touching her stomach. Most cats do not like being touched in the abdomen, as this makes them feel vulnerable. Although there are exceptions, a common reaction to trying to pat your stomach is scratching, biting, and poking..
After some time, the cat may roll over and begin to stretch. This is a natural behavior that means pleasure and a state of relaxation - some individuals react similarly, for example, to the smell of catnip. Any powerful stimulant of satisfaction can lead to such behavior.
Why do cats not like being patted on their stomachs?
There are many myths associated with cats and their behavior. One of them is the complete independence of cats. Many people are surprised that they may have some kind of feelings for their owners. Those who share their house with a cat are well aware of how much attachment they can experience.
If a cat does not like kisses, hugs or touching certain parts of the body, this does not mean that they do not like to be caressed at all. Most animals enjoy petting, even if they are not tolerated for very long. Cats are much smaller than humans, from touching certain places they have negative feelings - insecurity, stress and fear. These feelings can even trigger an instinctive defensive reaction using claws and teeth.
Active protection of a cat lying on its back with an open belly is not treacherous behavior. This does not necessarily mean that she is afraid or is aggressive - just such a natural feline behavior. Opening their stomachs, cats do not try to trick a person into attacking him. Moreover, they always show some signs of discomfort and displeasure before they begin defensive actions. They press their ears, strain their body, and sometimes bristle, trying to signal that they do not like what is happening. When communicating with our friends, you need to try to understand their messages. Although a defensive reaction may mean that the cat is offended, she will soon forget about it. But if you continue the "harassment", they will develop a stable reaction that can affect further relationships, appointing you in the eyes of a cat to the role of an antagonist.
Nevertheless, cats are quite capable of creating a strong bond with the owners. There are many situations when they are happy to take caresses from people. Just because they do not behave like dogs, one cannot conclude that cats do not like or do not trust people. They simply express their feelings and emotions in their own way. Understanding the signals of your pet, you will easily understand when a cat shows its love.
How to caress a cat?
Basically, cats like to be petted in the following places:
- Head;
- The chin;
- Neck from the back;
- Back;
If you pet a cat in these areas, it will often rub its head against your hand, expressing pleasure. Of course, not all cats are the same. Some, although not many, may even like it when they are patted on the stomach. It is important to consider the tastes and preferences of your cat - this helps strengthen relationships.
To determine the places the cat likes stroking, start with the following. Iron slowly, carefully, without making sudden movements. Ensuring a calm environment and respect for personal boundaries will be gratefully received by your favorite. In fact, respect is the key to establishing healthy relationships with our loved ones, regardless of their species.
When a cat has a stomach ache, there can be many reasons for an unpleasant phenomenon. It is important to find out the cause of the disorder as soon as possible and to conduct a full therapy of the disease. In some cases, the animal’s life depends on the speed of diagnosis and the start of treatment. Abdominal pain in a pet can be noticed by certain symptoms. The owner needs not to miss them and pay attention to the violation of their pet's well-being in a timely manner.
Causes and symptoms
The cause of an unpleasant phenomenon can be so different in nature by reason that the owner will not be able to understand exactly what happened to the four-legged friend, if he himself is not a veterinarian. Knowing the cause of the problem, you can decide what to do if the cat has a stomach ache.
1. constipation
- mournful meow;
- restless running of the animal around the apartment;
- futile attempts to cleanse the intestines, which the animal does not even take on the tray.
If there are sharp elements in the intestines, such as bone fragments, they can lead to rupture of the intestines, which threatens the cat with death if the owner does not take timely measures. Symptoms of a cat having a stomach ache include dilated pupils and aggressive behavior when trying to touch a problem area.
2. Peritonitis
A dangerous condition in which a cat develops purulent inflammation in the abdominal cavity. The well-being of the animal worsens sharply, the cat meows in pain, its stomach swells. An increase in temperature occurs sharply and to significant indicators. Even with urgent veterinary care, it is not always possible to save the pet, since pus melts the tissue and leads to the death of organs. Successful therapy is only possible if the internal organs are not affected, and the animal is strong and with good immunity. Abdominal pain in cats and after recovery persist for some time.
If the disease is caused by a coronovirus, then the animal is doomed. Maximum sick cat will live a year. To alleviate the condition, you will need to do painkillers. The owner must understand that in the end, most likely, you will have to euthanize the pet.
3. Intestinal allergy
If a cat is intolerant of any product, it may experience increased gas formation, which leads to an extension of the intestines and causes pain. In parallel with this, the cat also has such symptoms:
- temperature increase;
- itchy skin;
- diarrhea;
- profuse salivation;
- lacrimation.
The problem is eliminated quite easily by giving antihistamines and a means to stop increased gas formation.
4. Pancreatitis
Inflammatory disease of the pancreas, which may have an acute or chronic course. With a disease, a cat develops a pain syndrome. The pupils of the animal are constantly dilated due to pains that are very strong. Blood is often present in feces. Without treatment, a pet can easily die.
5. Gallstone disease
It is commonly found in cats suffering from obesity. The disease is a serious danger, as it can cause a rupture of the gallbladder in the event of a complete blockage of its ducts. When feeling the abdomen in a cat, soreness of the gallbladder is revealed, which is enlarged in case of illness.
At the moment when a sick animal develops an attack, the following symptoms of a pathological condition arise:
- pronounced trembling;
- temperature increase;
- jaundice.
Sometimes a strong meow due to unbearable pain is possible.
6. Problems of the urinary system.
Diseases of the urinary system, in which there is an increase in pressure on the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, are the reason that the cat has a lower abdomen. You can notice a violation of the condition of the pet by the scarcity of urine released and the presence of a small amount of blood in it.
7. Poisoning
The cat can be poisoned for various reasons. The eaten leaves of a poisonous houseplant or products unsuitable for a pet can provoke a dangerous condition. It is the latter that most often cause cat health problems. Sometimes the owners seek to treat the pet with something special for him and do not even think about what they can do to him very badly. In some cases, poisoning can cause the death of a cat. Four-legged friends are poisoned by eating the following food and drink:
- alcohol - if you give the cat a drink, the liver will cause a serious disruption in work and can cause a dangerous condition, which will be accompanied by pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and even weakness can cause death;
- chocolate and cocoa - these products can cause severe disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and pancreas. Pain after such a treat in a cat first occurs in the abdomen, and then spreads to the chest;
- tea and coffee - a harmful effect, the same as that of chocolate;
- avocado - Persian for cats is a powerful toxin. If you treat your pet with this delicacy, then he will be provided with abdominal pain, diarrhea and severe upset. In the event that the cat has a weak heart, treating can cause death;
- milk - adult cats cannot digest lactose, which is part of it. Because of this, their intestines are overloaded, and pain, diarrhea and vomiting occur. If the animal really wants milk, then he should be given dairy products, but only in moderation. You can also treat the cat with a small amount of goat milk, which is much easier for the cat to digest;
- feeding poor-quality feed - do not give cats spoiled meat and fish. They, like people, will be poisoned by them and will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting and severe stomach pains. Severe poisoning poses a serious threat to life.
Cats and dubious products that are not known about whether they will harm the cat or not should not be included in the diet. A cat’s stomach problems are not uncommon.
8. Worm lesions
9. Problems with the uterus
When a cat is not sterilized and experiences abdominal pain, gynecological problems should be considered first. Most often, endometritis is diagnosed, which leads to inflammation of the uterine mucosa. The disease has a bacterial and fungal nature. The causative agent is entered sexually.
In an acute illness, a cat has a strong persistent thirst, fever, an increase in the lower abdomen and inflammation of the loop. Also, due to severe pain, the pet, even the most affectionate, does not allow itself to be touched. Treatment is urgent.
A cat’s stomach may hurt for many reasons, and in order to accurately answer the question of what the pet suffers from and to conduct quality treatment, a visit to a veterinarian is necessary. Today, you can quickly identify almost any disease, and prescribe the necessary treatment at a time
REQUIREMENT OF A VETERINARY CONSULTATION. INFORMATION ONLY FOR REFERENCE.
Very interesting!
Cats have always lived next to a person and have always benefited him. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, cats are incredibly popular.
Many believe that a cat is a wayward animal, and does not know how to show its love for humans. Some people consider them indifferent and indifferent.
But those who have a cat at home know well that these animals, like dogs, are able to demonstrate their love. Although the manifestation of their love is expressed in more complex forms, and therefore not immediately noticeable.
1. When a cat tramples you with its paws - this is more than just a massage
This gesture is a memory of the first days of life. In such a gentle movement, the kitten massages the mother’s chest to release the precious milk. Sometimes these movements can be so energetic, cause inconvenience, but you should feel flattered.
2. A gift is always a gift, no matter how strange it looks
Those who have a cat know that sometimes unusual gifts can be found on the carpet, on the pillow - in general, anywhere. Sometimes it can be terrible. For example, if you bring a lizard or a small bird to your pillow. But a gift is always a gift, remember that!
3. If a cat presses its head against yours - it emphasizes that you belong to it.
If you look at the lions in their natural environment, you will notice that members of the pride often rub each other's forehead and cheek. The thing is that the glands of cats are scattered virtually throughout the body, and rubbing is a way to "label" relatives with their smell, which strengthens the connection in the pride.
4. If your cat looks at you, and sometimes narrows your eyes - consider that she kissed you
A cat's look equates to a kiss. If a cat looks at you and squints, then it expresses its love and calm.
5. If a cat exposes its stomach - this is not just pampering. So the animal expresses its trust
A cat is an animal that is very cautious and suspicious. To lie down and show your most vulnerable spot (for example, your stomach) is not only an invitation to the game. By exposing the most sensitive parts of his body, the cat shows that she trusts you.
6. Tail movements can tell a lot.
The tail is the main element in feline communication. If it is folded - the animal is calm and relaxed.
7. The cat bites you because it loves. So she expresses her love and trust
The skin of cats is very strong. Therefore, when they bite each other during the game, they do not cause any injuries. If your cat bites you, it means that she treats you as an equal and wants to play.
8. If a cat rubs on its legs, it marks its territory. In this case, you
The cat rubs against your legs when you come home. The animal compares your body with the smell, and says, "This is my man!"
9. Purrs and covered eyes express well-being and gratitude
Purring is the best known way to express appreciation. This is the same sign of attention as trampling. Purring is the first sound a kitten makes. Not being able to drink milk and meow at the same time, the baby, as it were, tells his mother "I eat, everything is fine."
10. If a cat follows you on the heels - she expresses her love
Some cats behave like dogs. They follow their master everywhere. But if your cat does not do this, do not think that she does not love you. She probably has a very independent character.
