Is My Cat Hurting? Here’s How I Figured Out

So, I used to think my cat was just dramatic. One day she stopped greeting me at the door, ignored her favorite toy, and started hiding under the bed like she owed someone money. I thought she was mad at me. Turns out, cats are Olympic-level pain maskers. If your usually chill cat suddenly turns into a grumpy recluse, or your feisty one goes silent, something’s up. Watch for weird bathroom habits, limping, or breathing faster than usual. If picking them up gets you a hiss or a scratch, that’s a red flag. And don’t be fooled by purring—sometimes it’s just self-soothing. If you spot these signs, don’t play vet with your own meds (seriously, Tylenol can kill them). Get a real vet involved. Sometimes the pain is obvious, like after surgery, but sometimes it’s just a vibe. Trust your gut. Your cat’s counting on you to notice when they’re not okay. #CatCare #PetHealth #CatParent #Pets #Cats