Q. My Cat is Irritable and She's Stopped Purring. Is My Cat Sick?

Posted by Mia Carter Nov 20, 2008

On November 20, 2008, a reader posted the following question on my article titled Is My Cat Sick?: "My 5 year old cat seems to be more irritable lately. She has never been a 'lap cat' but she has still like affection and petting. Lately, she growls and hisses when you pick her up or pet her. If she does let me pet her, she does not purr. She twitches her tail as if she is irritated. Could she be sick or in pain?"

While I cannot see your cat in action, it does sound like she is experiencing physical discomfort of some kind. Without an examination, it's impossible to determine whether your cat's unusual or uncharacteristic behavior is due to an illness, a chronic disease that's yet to be diagnosed or some sort of injury. Often, in cats, the other signs of illness, like lethargy, aren't all that obvious because many cats are relatively inactive to begin with.

I'd also look at your cat's home life. Have there been any significant changes in your cat's life lately? A move to a new home? A new cat, dog or other pet in the home? Or is there a new person living in the home? Any significant life changes are apt to illicit a really strong response in some cats. Though I should note that I've only seen one or two cases where a usually-friendly cat hissed or growled at human contact as the result of a life change. More often, an illness or other source of physical discomfort is to blame for the change in the cat's behavior.

Is your cat a long-haired breed or otherwise prone to matted fur? If so, I'd check your cat for matted fur and if you find one, I'd use a fresh razor blade to gently cut the matted fur away. Sometimes, a matting of the fur can cause some really serious discomfort when the cat moves, and this can lead to growling, biting and other outbursts.

I'd also check your cat over very carefully for abscesses. Abscesses can form due to a bite from another animal, due to skin parasites biting the cat's skin, or they can result from a minor scratch on the skin's surface that get's infected. An abscess is a pocket of infection that forms beneath the skin's surface. Cats are very prone to abscesses, which can form very quickly - within the matter of a day or two. So I'd examine your cat very carefully looking for any areas of discharge, swelling, or any large, warm raised bumps on the skin. An abscess can be extremely painful and they're not always obvious without a careful physical examination. When checking your cat, I'd also pay close attention when you're touching her to see if there are any parts of her body that seem to be painful or tender.

Unfortunately, this is probably a case where only a veterinarian can determine precisely what is causing your cat's discomfort. So I would strongly recommend a visit to the vet for an exam. If your cat is sick or injured, time is of the essence - the longer you wait, the more costly the problem will be to treat and the longer it will take your cat to heal. You don't want to let it get to the point where your cat has stopped eating and she's dehydrated and in critical condition. The sooner she gets diagnosed, the better.

I hope your cat is feeling better soon!

Have a pet question? Send your questions to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.