Cats, as our lovely companions in life, move our hearts with every action. When cats emit pleading or painful cries, as their caretakers, we certainly worry and want to know what is wrong. Such cries often indicate physical discomfort, pain, injury, fright, or stress. Understanding the truth behind these cries allows us to better help our cats.

The Truth Behind the Cat's Painful Calls for Help

Although cats do not express pain as directly as humans, they communicate discomfort through sounds and behavior. When cats emit unusual cries such as pleading, howling, or screaming, they are likely sending you a distress signal.

The Language of Sounds: Cat's Pleading and Pain

Cats have many types of cries, each possibly representing different meanings. The common “meow meow” might be a daily greeting, a request for attention, or an expression of needs. However, if the cry becomes continuous, urgent, rises in pitch, or sounds like a baby crying with a “meow-woo-” long tone, or sharp short cries like “ow!! ah!!,” it may not be a simple “hug me” or “feed me” request.

• Continuous or drawn-out cries: This usually indicates a demand from the cat, such as hunger, thirst, wanting to play outside, or simply seeking your attention. But if the cries continue and sound painful, you should be cautious.
• Sharp or piercing cries: These sounds often indicate severe pain or fright. Imagine accidentally stepping on a cat’s tail; the resulting cry is the cat telling you “I’m in pain!” Cats also emit such cries when injured in fights, aiming to stop opponents from causing further harm. Female cats may also emit miserable cries from pain after mating.
• Low howling or moaning: This sound may reflect discomfort, pain, or anxiety. Especially when no other obvious cause exists, if a cat makes this sound, carefully observe if there are other abnormal signs.

Besides cries, these signs may also indicate a cat is suffering

Cats are experts at hiding pain, an instinct to avoid becoming prey in the wild. Therefore, relying on cries alone to judge whether a cat is in pain or discomfort is insufficient; other behaviors and physiological signs need consideration.

• Behavioral changes:
  • Hiding: Sick or injured cats often hide and avoid interaction with people or other pets. They may seek quiet, concealed places to conceal themselves.
  • Loss of appetite: Pain or discomfort affects a cat’s appetite; they may eat less than usual or even refuse food entirely.
  • Reduced activity: Pain makes cats unwilling to be active, and they may lose interest in playing, jumping, or climbing. Some cats may even become restless and pace due to pain.
  • Decreased or excessive grooming: Pain may lead cats to neglect self-cleaning, resulting in messy fur. Conversely, some cats may excessively lick or bite certain spots to relieve pain.
  • Temperament change: Usually gentle and friendly cats may become irritable, aggressive, or even hiss and bite when in pain. They may also resist being held or touched.
• Abnormal posture:
  • Arched back or curling up: Cats in pain may arch their backs, presenting a defensive or protective posture.
  • “Brooding hen squat”: Some cats with joint pain may adopt a special squatting posture with a raised back and lowered head.
  • Limping or unwilling to bear weight: If a cat’s leg or joint is injured, it may limp or refuse to put weight on the affected limb.
• Physiological signs:
  • Breathing changes: Pain may cause cats to breathe faster or more shallowly.
  • Urination or defecation abnormalities: Urinary tract pain may make cats frequently visit the litter box without urinating, or urinate outside the litter box.
  • Drooling: Cats that are frightened or stressed may drool; this is a stress response releasing adrenaline.
  • Dilated pupils, ears folded back, tense whiskers: These facial expression changes can also indicate pain or tension.

Why do cats emit pleading or painful cries?

There are various reasons for this type of cry, requiring contextual judgment.

• Pain or injury: One of the most common reasons. External injuries, fractures, arthritis, dental issues, urinary infections, etc., may cause painful cries.
• Fright or stress: Cats are sensitive animals; sudden loud noises, unfamiliar environments, new members, or sudden actions by owners can startle them, leading to stress reactions such as hiding, drooling, temperament changes, or emitting pleading or painful cries.
• Heat cycle: Unspayed female cats in heat emit long, baby-like crying howls to attract males. These sounds can also be quite miserable.
• Seeking attention or needs: Some cats raise their voices or make special cries to attract their owner’s attention and express needs like hunger, wanting to play, or going outside.
• Aging: Elderly cats may become restless and emit strange cries due to cognitive dysfunction or other age-related diseases.
• Illness: Beyond pain, other diseases such as thyroid or kidney problems may cause unusual cat cries.

What should we do when cats emit painful calls for help?

If your cat suddenly emits pleading or painful cries with other unusual signs, take it seriously.

1. Stay calm and observe: Do not panic; staying calm helps you better judge the situation. Carefully observe the type and duration of the cries, and whether there are other abnormal behaviors or postures.
2. Avoid forced contact: Injured or frightened cats may show aggression; forced touching might injure you or increase the cat’s fear and pain. Try soothing gently and approach slowly.
3. Check for visible injuries: Ensure your safety, then gently check the cat’s body for wounds, bleeding, limping, or swelling.
4. Provide a safe and comfortable environment: Offer a quiet, concealed space to make your cat feel secure. Prepare clean water and food, but do not force eating or drinking if the cat refuses.
5. Contact the vet promptly: If the cries are continuous and painful, or you suspect injury or illness, contact a veterinarian immediately. Timely treatment is crucial to avoid worsening. When transporting to the clinic, wrap the cat (e.g., with a towel or blanket) to reduce stress.
6. Do not medicate without advice: Never give human medications to cats at home as it may cause poisoning or adverse reactions.
7. If frightened: If your cat is only scared, try soothing with a gentle voice, offer toys or treats to distract (if accepted), or gently stroke (if not resisted). Never scare cats for amusement as it can cause serious stress or even threaten their life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it normal for a cat to emit pleading cries after being hit? It is not normal; this likely indicates pain, fear, or stress. Physical punishment harms cats’ physical and mental health and should never be used.
• How to distinguish if a cat’s cry is for affection or pain? Affectionate cries usually accompany body rubbing, a raised tail, and relaxed posture. Painful cries may accompany hiding, appetite loss, temperament changes, or arched back.
• What behaviors indicate a cat is stressed? Stressed cats may hide, stop eating or drinking, vomit, have diarrhea, drool, show lethargy, or even aggression.
• What to do if bitten by a cat? For bleeding bites, even from domestic cats, clean the wound with soapy water and disinfect with iodine. If the wound is deep, bleeding heavily, or if rabies vaccination is uncertain, seek medical advice about rabies vaccination promptly.

Caring about our cat’s health and emotions is every responsible caretaker's duty. By understanding cats’ sounds and behaviors, we can better interpret their "meow language" and extend help when needed. Remember, a cat’s health and happiness is our greatest wish.