Wouldn’t it be great if when your cat was in pain, it could just say “Mee — ooooowwwww”? But, seriously, it’s tough to know when your cat is hurting and what to do about the pain. Felines are especially adept at hiding pain; it’s an instinctive survival strategy. In the wild, weak or injured cats are likely to get less food and lose their status in the pride or colony. So hiding weakness or pain helps protect the cat’s survival.
House cats experience pain for a variety of reasons whether it’s from an injury, surgery, or from internal issues like disease. While signs of pain in cats vary widely, here are some behaviors to look for:
- being withdrawn and less playful
- acting anxious and seeking more attention than usual
- eating and drinking less
- changed posture which can indicate pain in a certain area of the body
- repeated grooming – especially in one specific area
- changing sleeping patterns
- avoiding physical contact
The reasons for feline pain can be complex, so if you suspect your cat is experiencing pain, the first step is always to talk to your veterinarian. He’ll examine your cat, help determine the cause of pain and provide treatment suggestions.
Onsior is Available at VetRxDirect
The good news is there’s a new, pain relief medication on the market for cats. Onsior (robenacoxib) is the first non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for cats. NSAIDs like Onsior are very effective at relieving pain and inflammation and have few side effects. Onsior is usually prescribed for cats recovering from surgeries. And because the medicine comes in small, flavored tablets, it’s not a pain to dose your cat with. Learn more about Onsior on VetRxDirect’s product page and then talk with your veterinarian.
To your cat’s health!
Wes