Cats do not announce their health problems to the world at large, not because they are stoic or don’t feel pain, but because in the wild any outward sign of weakness is a fatal invitation to predators and competitors. Even the most ferocious of wildcats will retire and hide when injured or ill so that healing can happen undisturbed. Small changes in your cat’s habits may be your only clue to his discomfort.

Although cats are solitary, most interact with their owner in the course of a day and stick to their familiar routines. A cat that chooses to be alone for more than 24 hours is probably experiencing some trouble. A normally playful cat that loses all interest in toys, or a listless cat that refuses to move at all, may be in distress. Don’t be fooled by your cat’s purring. This doesn’t always indicate contentment; when combined with a bad mood and extreme defensiveness, this rumbling my signal that he is in pain.

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