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My cat has a new, painful lump on his hip. Should I be worried?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 1 year old

My cat has a hard lump on his hip that I only just noticed today. It hurts him when I hardly push on it. Do I need to be worried?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 19th, 2020

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Creamy. Any new bump, especially if it is painful, should be evaluated by a veterinarian. He will be examined and typically a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate is performed. The doctor will use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This helps to diagnose the bump and guide treatment. I hope this information helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on November 30th, 2016
Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. These lumps on Tien Tien could be caused by lipomas (benign fatty tumors), cysts, benign tumors, or malignant tumors. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would take him into the vet tomorrow for an exam.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on September 13th, 2019
This may be a growth, and it could be benign or malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. give Patches's vet a call to make him an appointment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My cat has a bump on her hip. Should I be worried or will it go away?

That will depend on the underlying cause of the bump. Something like a swelling from an insect bite will go away. Other possible causes for a bump would include an abscess (pocket of infection) or a tumor (these can be benign and not cause any problems or malignant and require removal. If the bump is still present in a few days, a vet exam is recommended to determine the cause, or if it increases in size or starts to become painful.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat has a leaking lump on her hip. What should I do before the vet?

You didn't include a picture so I cannot say for sure but the most common cause of leaking bumps on a cat would be an abscess, which is a pocket of bacteria, fluid, and inflammatory cells that is often caused by a wound (sometimes from a bite or scratch from another animal). I cannot rule out something like a cyst or a tumor that has grown too large and the skin has gotten stretched and broken open, or even a self inflicted injury from overgrooming, but the most likely answer is that this is an abscess. Pebbles should definitely be seen by her veterinarian, who will probably clean and flush the area and may recommend a culture of the area. They may also prescribe an antibiotic and maybe a pain medication, however in the meantime you can use warm compresses over the area to help it drain and to keep it clean if she allows you to. If you have an e-collar you can place that to prevent her from licking at the area and causing more bacteria (from her mouth) to enter the area. Good luck, I hope I could be helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 6-month cat has a firm, painless lump on its hip. Is it a tumor?

I am sorry to hear about yoru concern for Solomon! While it is rare for us to see tumors in a cat so young, it is possible to have this occur. I would not leap to that conclusion without further investigation however, as this could be something like a benign cyst, an abscess, a foreign body under the skin, or a granulomatous reaction to a previous vaccine. I would recommend having your vet examine the area. They may recommend an aspirate of the lump with a needle to help identify what is going on and guide their plan of treatment.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 6-month-old cat has a painless bump on his thigh. What is it?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to see a lump in the photo, but at Capernicus’s age, malignant growths are fairly unlikely. This may be a reaction to a vaccine if administered recently that should disappear with time. I recommend keeping an eye on it and having the spot seen by a vet if there is any discharge, bleeding, increase in size, or it seems to be bothering him. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has a large, painless bump on his neck. Should I worry?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This may even be an abscess. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has a firm, painless bump on her head. Should I see a vet?

Thank you for posting again with the pictures! Yes, I would definitely get this lump checked. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give Patsy's vet a call to make her an appointment. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my cat have a hard, painful lump on his side near his arm?

Well bumblebee is quite the handsome cat. A bump like that could be a local reaction to a vaccine if he has recently had any shots, caused by a bug bite or bite wound from another animal, or even a benign or cancerous tumor. Since it is a new growth, I would have your vet take a look at it. Your vet will be able to aspirate it and determine if it needs to be watch or surgically removed or if he just needs some antibiotics. I do not think he will die from this, but early intervention is key. I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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