Can cats get headaches?

For something considered a minor ailment, headaches can be very painful and disruptive to our everyday lives. It’s easy to know when you or someone in your family is experiencing a headache, but because of certain, erhm, language barriers, it’s not so easy for our feline friends to communicate their pains. So, do cats get headaches the same as humans?

While there hasn’t been a ton of scientific research into feline headaches, and they’re easily overlooked by owners and veterinarians, it is believed that cats — and other animals for that matter — do get them. Read on for ways to determine if your purr baby’s head hurts and what to do.

Types of feline headaches

Whether we’re talking about humans or cats, not all headaches are the same. While the term “headache” can refer to any throbbing or constant pain in the head or face area, there are generally three different types:

• Tension headaches. Perhaps the most common head pains are tension headaches, which can be described as pressure on the forehead and temples of the skull. This might feel a bit like your head is between two ends of a tight clamp. Other symptoms could include aches in the neck and shoulders.
• Migraine headaches. In the case of migraines, the headache is typically concentrated to one specific area of the head. These intense headaches can last as long as three days and are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting or light sensitivity. While there are no cures for migraines, they can be managed with rest and avoiding triggers.
• Cluster headaches. Though short-lived, cluster headaches are a collection of aches that keep going away and coming back throughout a given period. They occur in one side of the head and often appear around the same time each day. They’re treated with medications and anti-inflammatories.

👉 Secondary feline headaches can occur as a result of injury or illness.

Causes of feline headaches

While too much screen time and alcohol (especially red wine) can lead to humans having headaches, it’s not entirely clear what causes our kitties to experience these pains. Generally speaking, there are several factors that may cause feline headaches, including:

• Genetics. If your cat gets headaches, it may be in their bloodline. Genetic makeup (Trusted Source) is considered a factor in cats being susceptible to headaches.
• Environment. Just as lights and sounds in certain settings can trigger a headache for you, cats may be sensitive to something in your home or another environment they’ve been brought into like a veterinary clinic or a groomer. This can include a chemical cleaner you’re using, the smell of your cooking, or dust build-up.
• Changes in routine. You may also want to consider if a shift in your cat’s daily routine is giving them a headache. Cats are creatures of habit, and a sudden disruption to their schedule can lead to stress and anxiety, which in turn can lead to headaches. This can include feeding them at different times, moving to a new home, or having guests over.
• Medical conditions. In some cases, a feline headache can be a symptom of another health condition, such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or a neurological disorder. Flat-faced breeds like Persians are prone to sinus problems, which can also trigger headaches.

Symptoms of feline headaches

Chances are you’re not going to walk in on your cat lying down with a warm compress on their forehead, so how do you know when your feline companion has a headache? Because this is an invisible ailment, it often gets overlooked. And, in some cases, your cat’s head pain may mirror symptoms of other conditions like allergies or gastrointestinal duress.

Here are signs that your cat is experiencing a headache:

• Head and nose sensitivity. If your cat yelps or thrashes when you touch them around their head and nose area, they may have a headache. You may also notice them pressing their head against a firm object like a wall.
• Light and sound sensitivity. Is your cat foregoing their daily sunbathing in favor of dark corners? Do they run off when you have the TV on or run the dishwasher? A headache may be the culprit.
• Vocalizing. Cats may meow, hiss, or even growl if they have a headache. They may also start panting or licking their lips as a result.
• Vomiting. Headaches can make cats nauseous and cause them to vomit suddenly.
• Loss of appetite. Your cat may not want to eat any food or treats if they have a headache. This can cause a nutritional imbalance.
• Lethargy. Headaches also cause cats to have low energy. You may notice them playing with toys less or showing signs of depression.
• Aggression. In some cases, a cat can become agitated and start to behave aggressively because of a headache. This can cause them to bite or scratch you, other household members, or pets.

Treating feline headaches

If you suspect your cat is experiencing a headache, it’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out more serious conditions like a neurological disorder. Your vet will be able to advise you based on your individual cat’s health history and the severity of their head pain.

It goes without saying that an animal showing signs of discomfort or distress of any sort need veterinary attention. This logical step should not be ignored for the welfare of the cat.

Dr. Bruce Armstrong, DVM

The treatment your vet will recommend depends greatly on the intensity of the pain and the factors they believe are contributing to it. Let’s take a look at the general treatment options for feline headaches:

Medication

No, you can’t give your cat Tylenol or Motrin. But there are feline-friendly pain relievers that your vet can prescribe to soothe your kitty’s head pain. This includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like meloxicam (injection) and robenacoxib (oral). Your vet may also recommend anti-nausea medication if your cat is queasy.

Diet

Your cat’s diet can play a role in managing their headaches. High sodium content can lead to hypertension (Trusted Source) in cats, which can lead to painful migraines. A low-salt diet can help your feline friend avoid headaches by reducing their blood pressure.

Environmental changes

If you’re able to identify headache triggers in your cat’s home environment, then you should reduce their exposure to their irritants or, if possible, remove them from the home entirely. For example, if there’s a pesticide you use for your plants or a perfume you often wear that brings on headache symptoms, you’ll want to separate your cat from areas of the home where they’ll have contact with these things.

Preventing feline headaches

Of course, in an ideal world, your cat wouldn’t be getting headaches at all. While these pains are still being studied, there are some preventative steps owners can take to help their favorite feline from experiencing headaches. Let’s dive in:

Make regular vet visits

Since headaches can be symptomatic of other conditions, you’ll want to continually ensure a clean bill of health for your kitty to rule out any ailments that lead to headaches. For example, feline headaches can be a side effect of chronic kidney disease, so keeping your cat well-hydrated with water and wet food can go a long way in avoiding this condition. Routine vet visits are a great way to stay up to date on your cat’s health and address any underlying issues.

Reduce stress

Stress headaches are as real for cats as they are for us. If your cat experiences stress and anxiety, study their body language patterns to get a sense of what’s triggering them. Does running the blender make them tremble? Try putting them in another room before you make your morning smoothie. Does the doorbell scare your cat? Try asking visitors to call or text you when they arrive. Your vet can also prescribe medication to quell your kitty’s anxiety.

Burn energy

Cats need exercise to stay healthy and stimulate themselves both physically and mentally. Be sure to carve out time each day for play or training exercises that work their muscles and brain, which in turn will curb headaches. You’ll also want to give them space for a good bout of zoomies to release their pent-up energy, especially if they’re an indoor cat.

In addition to not speaking the same language as you, cats are also good at hiding their pain. This may be an evolutionary holdover because felines in the wild who are sick or injured are vulnerable to prey. As long as you keep an eye out for behavioral changes and physical symptoms and schedule a vet visit if something seems amiss, you can ensure their headaches will be taken care of.

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if your cat has a headache?

While there isn’t a ton of science surrounding feline headaches, cat owners can look out for signs such as sensitivity to their noses and heads, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. Schedule a vet appointment if you’re worried your cat has a headache, as it could be a sign of something serious like a neurological disorder.

What are some symptoms of a migraine in dogs and cats?

Pets that have migraines will likely begin panting and acting agitated. This could even lead to aggression that causes them to bite. Seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has a migraine.

How do I help my cat with a headache?

Treating a feline headache is different from treating a human headache. Over-the-counter pain relievers that humans use like Tylenol are toxic to cats, so you’ll need to consult your veterinarian regarding feline-friendly anti-inflammatories or, in the case of vomiting, anti-nausea pills. Environmental and diet changes can also help alleviate a cat’s headache.

Can catnip relieve pain in cats?

Catnip primarily alleviates anxiety in cats, which can in turn relieve pain brought on from anxiety like headaches or injuries sustained from scratching or biting themselves.