cat may have a problem

[mystyk_star]

I have two cats, they are both inside only cats. I always play with my one cat by dangling my fingers over the couch and he tries to get them. Today I picked him up, and was holding him, and he started hissing at me, in the 3 years that I have had him he has NEVER done that before, and I realized he made a noise when I touched underneath his left front leg. What do you think could have happened to him if he doesn't go outside? Or was he just mad at me for picking him up? Or could it be a pulled muscle? I looked for cuts or scratches the best I could (he has long hair) and didn't find anything. Any other suggestions as to why he is acting out?

[camille79]

Do you regularly pick your cats up? I just ask as my super friendly and affectionate cat cannot stand being lifted up, he suddenly turns into a ball of claws! But as soon as you sit down he's up on your lap and is generally very sociable. If it isn't this then he could well have injured himself inside. Things that spring to mind are jumping off stairs, getting caught on the back of sofas and jarring joints and similar. If he's walking ok and is eating normally then it will probably be ok but best take him to the vet if you're concerned. Or maybe he's just tickly??

[natalie_1982]

My cat doesn't mind being picked up, he's very affectionate and I like to make him dance and cuddle me and things, but anyhow..... he has a patch on his back that is tickly and it sends him loopy if you touch it. Again, like you mystyk_star, there's no scratches, bald skin, etc he just doesn't like me touching it and then he bites me. When I do touch it his tail goes mental, I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

[mystyk_star]

I do pick him up regularly, he never really likes it except in the morning when I take him out to his food dish to feed him. I thought it might be from him playing with his sister (my other cat!!) I know he really hates his tummy rubbed. He's eating and walking fine, and I picked him up this morning no problem, maybe he was just in a bad mood last night.