Is my cat sick? This is an all too common question asked by many cat owners. It can sometimes be quite tricky to detect an illness in a cat, simply because they can’t tell us what’s wrong verbally.
Also, cats have kept their ability to hide signs so well, that an illness (or weakness in their body) can sometimes go unnoticed. Why? Just think about an animal that acts sick in the wild, it becomes an obvious prey and will inevitably get eaten. Cats have over 95% of their DNA identical to a Siberian Tiger so this innate ‘protective behavior’ is instinctive to them.
There may be visible and obvious signs of sickness in your cat such as blood in their urine, stool or vomit. Blood in the urine can indicate a urinary tract disorder, especially if accompanied by straining while trying to urinate or if you notice increased visits to the litter box. Blood in the stool can indicate a variety of illnesses, some relatively minor, but others, like certain parasitic infections, can be more serious.
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In regards to vomiting, if a cat vomits up the occasional hairball that is probably normal. If they vomit several times a day or they vomit blood, get them to the vet immediately. Vomiting blood, however, is always a sign of a serious illness.
Another obvious symptom is diarrhea which can result in dehydration, and if untreated can be fatal. Diarrhea is caused when too much water is expelled with the stool, thus creating a loose or watery stool. On the other hand, constipation occurs when your cat produces small, hard, and infrequent stools. A cat typically defecates once or twice a day. Constipation is most often caused by hairballs, and should not be ignored as it can lead to weight loss and anorexia.
As a rule, we recommend that cat owners take their pets to the vet at least once a year for a check-up, and if the cat is a senior (over 7 years old) or has known health issues, your vet may recommend more frequent visits.
Our focus in this article is helping you identify the less obvious signs of illness that are more subtle and too often missed by the owners. The good news is that our cats do provide us with clues to a possible health issue by their behavior and mannerisms. If you can quickly recognize certain signs and symptoms, then you’ll be able to detect potential issues early, and positively influence the health and happiness of your feline friend.
Let’s go over 8 common signs of illness in cats.
Sign #1: A Change in Appetite or Thirst
If a cat refuses to eat or drink, this often means the cat is in pain or is otherwise feeling poorly.
Contrary to popular belief, most cats are not finicky eaters.
Watch for changes, such as an increase or decrease, in a cat’s food intake. Eating too much or too little can potentially signify disease. For example, eating less than usual can signify an internal illness or possibly even a dental problem. On the other hand, an increased appetite might suggest testing for diabetes or hyperthyroidism. We’ve recently written a post to highlight 9 common household foods which are toxic to your cat and can cause symptoms of illness. Find it here: Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat
If a cat has increased thirst, especially when accompanied by increased urination, this can point to issues like diabetes or kidney disease.
Sign #2: Going Outside the Litter Box
If your cat has always been perfect about using the litter box, and then suddenly starts making a mess outside the box or around the house, there’s a problem. This annoying habit can be behavioral or might indicate a disease. Be sure to keep the litter box clean, as cats won’t use a dirty litter box any more than a human would use a dirty toilet.
The more worrisome health concerns that can cause litter box issues include kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones.
If your cat appears to be straining to pee or defecate, get them to the vet immediately. If the cat is trying to go to the bathroom and not producing anything, they could have a blockage somewhere, which could be fatal if left untreated. This is especially true if the cat also seems to be in pain, like crying out while trying to go to the bathroom.
If the issue appears to be behavioral, we do recommend a product called Cat Spray No More.
Sign #3: Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain
If your cat is losing or gaining weight for no obvious reason, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet, especially if the weight change seems sudden. Weight gain or weight loss can indicate a thyroid condition in your cat, however the cause can be as severe as cancer.
In older cats some weight loss is normal as they lose muscle mass, but a significant loss can point to something serious. To put things into perspective, a cat gaining or losing a single pound is roughly comparable to a human gaining or losing 10 pounds.
Marked weight gain can result in obesity, which can lead to arthritis, tumors and a shorter lifespan. An obese cat can develop many of the same health problems that an obese human will, like diabetes or heart disease.
Sign #4: Change in Normal Behavior
Sudden changes in behavior can indicate trouble in a sick cat. A classic sign is noticing if your normally social cat starts hiding or acting unusually aloof. Many cats when not feeling well, will avoid contact with anyone around them.
For example, if a normally outgoing cat suddenly starts hiding all the time, this may mean that they are sick or in pain. Similarly, if a cat is in pain, it may instead become aggressive, especially if you accidentally touch them in a sore spot.
A sudden increase in activity level in a middle age to older cat can indicate an overactive thyroid. On the other hand, if your cat seems less than enthusiastic about moving around or playing, it may indicate arthritis or other issues. A red flag to watch for is a change in the cat’s mobility or daily routine.
Sign #5: Changes in Grooming Habits
If you notice a difference in your cats’ coat, such as it is duller than normal or perhaps even greasy. A fastidious groomer who suddenly stops grooming, even just a bit, is often a sign of a potential illness such as a skin disease.
On the other hand, a cat that unexpectedly starts over-grooming, could be indicative of pain, allergies or even stress. Cats that over-groom can end up with bald patches and the underlying cause could be skin parasites, like fleas or mange.
Sign #6: Changes in Sleep Patterns
Cats sleep a lot. In fact, about 2/3 of their lives. But they do develop a consistent routine of napping when they feel well. Watch for changes in this normal napping routine.
For example, if your cat seems to sleep all day when she used to be active, she might be trying to tell you she isn’t feeling well.
The opposite is also true. If your cat is up all night roaming the house, vocalizing, or seems overactive during the day, there might be an underlying issue such as pain and/or illness, perhaps even associated with aging.
Sign #7: Stinky Breath
Cats are not known for having lovely breathe, however if your cat has overly stinky breath this could be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay. Stinky breath can indicate that something may be rotten in the mouth, or perhaps an underlying internal issue such as kidney disease or a digestive disorder.
Brushing your cat’s teeth is a good way to decrease those risks. Check out the extensive range of dental and cat healthcare products at Chewy.
Sign #8: Changes in Vocalization
Naturally quiet cats that start to become more vocal, or normally chatty cats who become much quieter can indicate potential illness.
Sometimes even the voice itself will change – much like when we get a cold. Possible explanations include hyperthyroidism, hypertension (high blood pressure) or even anxiety.
Summary
Keep an eye out for these 8 health cues in your cat and you’ll be well prepared to tackle any potential issues early on with your vet before they escalate. Here’s to your healthy and happy kitty!
One way I discovered one of my cats was sick was the ghastly smell of his stool. There was no way a cats poop should stink up the whole house. He had no other signs of being sick. Turns out he had parasites from drinking the water from the water basins when I watered the trees.
My can’t has been pooping outside the litter box but not all the time. It’s very loose and sticks very bad. Sometimes blood is in it. She meows very loud most of the time. When this happens, she walks funny and hunches her back up and then you see her hind legs bow out. Then she poops and it is loud when she goes. The vet said it’s IBS or a good allergy. but I don’t think it is. I tried different foods and special diet. No change. She still loves to cuddle and puts a lot. I sure wish I knew what this could be. They did blood work and exrays but can’t find anything else. This had been going on for two years. She’s only 5 years old. I don’t wAnt to put her down, so I need help? Anyone have any ideas for me? Email me at [email protected]. I just don’t know what else to do,
Try probiots for cats fortiflora. We get it off of Amazon but the vet has it. Helps digestion, upset tummies, and vomiting
Fortiflora is TERRIBLE! Have you read the ingredients? Plus it is made by Purina! The worst company ever! Of course the vet has it! They get cash bonuses for selling and promoting garbage junk food for pets! You wont find any holistic Vets promoting any of those brands!
RAW Goats milk is the best probiotic you can give your cats! It has tons of natural (not added by man) vitamins, minerals and probiotics! It heals IBD and all sorts of ailments plus helps boost immune systems! It is even better than KMR for bottle fed kittens because its not dairy, it does not cause diarrhea or stomach upset!
Have her thyroid checked
go to amozon cat fish oils this may also help buy troop it is also a fish oil.
This is an attachment to my last message. My cat does eat and drink but is still losing weight. She only ways about 5 pounds.
Email me if you can help. [email protected]
Weird they say an increased appetite could mean diabetes when my cat was the opposite. He didn’t eat one morning and it was so unlike him I took him to the vet and his blood sugar was really high. After a little bit of time and more tests (blood sugar) he was diagnosed as diabetic.
There is a group of great people who help owners and kitties with diabetes. Diabetic Cat Help. Please check it out. My 9 year old cat was diagnosed with diabetes and with the help from my advisor and the support from other diabetic cat owners we were able to get my cat into remission. He hasn’t needed insulin for almost 10 month now! A lot of illnesses in cats are due to their diet of dry food. Unfortunately ALL dry food is poison to our pets. Catinfo.org. You’ll be shocked what they put in our pets food! Please due some research for you and your pets health.
My girl may have been sick for a year or two before we caught on. The first sign was loss of weight. She was 18 lbs, so we just thought she was losing weight in her old age. Even the vet couldn’t figure it out. Then she was not eating. Then she was diagnosed with kidney failure. She lasted about 6 months after the diagnosis, with weekly infusions of fluid. She was well worth it. Then she continued to lose the weight. When she finally passed, she weighed about 6 lbs. Why didn’t she ever exhibit signs of pain???? Then, the vet told me exactly what you said about not showing signs of illness or pain because of what her survival skills would be in the wild. It’s been over 2 years and I still miss her. She was just a member of the family. I have 2 newer ones, that I will never have the same feelings for, sorry to say.
I just lost my dog to kidney failure and he went from 14 lbs to 5 when he passed. He survived 17 months with fluids every day and showed no signs of the disease till we went to have his teeth cleaned and they did blood work. Miss him everyday
I know that is true bec i had a Persian cat that he was 21yrs. Died the same way and I do have another cat but never take my 1st cats place so I do understand !
You will learn to love them in other ways from your previous cat. They deserve all the love you can give them. No, it will never be the same. I just got my third rescue cat and I wouldn’t change the love and experiences that we have shared.
Your new pets are very lucky to have you.
I’m so sorry that your baby passed…my baby Siamese she’s fourteen and won’t eat..she pooed mustard mucus poo and I thought I was gonna pass out from the smell…she wont eat…hasn’t in two days know…at fist I thought it was an upset tummy..she drank a little water today…but she sleeps on the couch or on her cat tree…I cant figure it out…I never change her food she likes it too well so…I don’t know what else I can do?…I can’t afford the vet right now…any suggestions?
I hope you took your kitty to a vet. Please try care credit plan. Some vets do discounts or payments for low income. Call around.
Sometimes kidney disease is not that painful. It’s just the problems toward the end that cause discomfort: fatigue, thirst, quick weight loss, vomiting.
I had a sweet girl who got kidney disease at age 12. With care, she lasted to age 14. I’m still very sad about it.
just a thought/my thought, you shouldnt have any/ no-more, feelings should not change, i have & i love them all as the same, even after my next-door-dog, got out of his compond & into mine & found my tigger-napping & procceded to air & bleed him-out, i lost him in 5-fucking-min,s love for all 4leggs should be the same
OMG I’m going through the same thing right now with the love of my life I can’t bear the thought of losing him I have 7 other cats who I noticed I have begun to resent for no reason except for the fact that they are alive. I know it’s completely irrational and I do love them and I will become a good mom to them again but the grief of losing this guy is overwhelming
I know how you feel. I have an 18 yr old cat that has hated me since day one. I’ve lost one love to lymphoma and now my other 4 yr old is sick again.
The love of my life are something toxic so we’re going to the vet today. Pray for us, because I don’t know what I would do
My cat is 17 years old suddenly he wants to be around someone all the time.and he goes around meowing really loud all the time which is very unusual for him ..he is very skinny and heven has started peeing outside his box.is he sick.
Of course he is! Take him in immediately.
When my big male cat would get a urinary tract infection, he would pee in the tub so I could see the blood. After many years of this and many, many vet visits with antibiotics, I discovered he was allergic to tuna, even the juice irritated his bladder. Problem solved. Tuna was a once a week treat, I would split one can between my 3 cats.
After 2 visits to the Vet-with male cat for surgery for the removal of crystals from his urinary tract… he was licking the area frequently… And the threat of surgery to turn him into a girl if it happened again. .. I realized that it was the cat type TUNA wet food that was causing the problem! DONT FEED YOUR CATS TUNA FISH
NEUTER your cat Elaine!!! Every day across the USA hundreds of thousands of cats & kittens are MURDERED (euthanasia is for sick/elderly cats that are suffering & have no chance of recovery) because there are too many un-neutered/un-spayed cats meeting up & making babies. Unlike humans, pets do not have machismo & the only differences he’ll experience from neutering are positive ones.
You are all correct about tuna my moms cat died from a tuna allergy. My himis were really allergic. Skin allergies big time
I would look into kidney problems – he is showing you by going outside the box that there is a problem with him – have the vet do a scan on the kidneys – also when mine started getting sick, she kept biting her back (itchy) got her a steroid shot – didn’t help – so if it was my kitty, I would have his kidneys checked – good luck with the little guy – God bless
When my cat acted the same way, she was diagnosed as hyperthyroid (there is medication for this) and a urinary tract infection.
Sounds like diebetuc or hyperthyroid.
My 24 y/o kitty did that meowing loudly, etc. I believe that’s their way of telling you they’re going Home soon. But your kitty’s symptoms NEED to be addressed by a vet SOON or you’ll lose him sooner!
My son’s kitty meowed loudly and was very clingy before he went Home, too.
It could mean they’re losing their hearing.
Agree with that. They get very clingy and loud. Love them as long as you can. 🙁
Thank you.
Very, if you love him take him to a vet. If that’s something you cannot afford open credit line with “Carecredit.com” they extend credit with no interest. Very easy to sign up for and all vets should except it.cats usually do not exhibit signs of pain and yours is. My cat was diagnosed with Diabetes and with the help of my vet we enjoyed each other for another year! He was 16 when I had to do what was best for him , and I miss him every day!
I’m sorry but I put over $3,000 on Care Credit for my cat that still passed away and realized that after a year CareCredit has a highest interest rate of any of my credit cards so this isn’t a good idea but there are some insurances you can get there are only a little over $100 a year and they help you on your vet bills!! When it’s called Pet Assure and it’s $8 a month and you save 25% on your back bills you should look into.
Could be hyperthyroidism. Could be diabetic. Yes, sick. Like they said, take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible or immediately!
Or kidney disease/failure.
Yes he is take him to vet right away
He is probably hyperthyroid
Sounds like he is getting a urinary blockage. That happened to my cat. He did that same thing and not knowing he was sick, he later became blocked completely. His had crystals in his urine which caused a blockage. The had to put him out and expel his urine to give him relief. He had to go on a special food diet. He will have to have surgery if it gets too advanced.
Definitely. Must take to a vet and have him checked. Good luck.
I’m going threw the same thing 🙁
He is trying to tell you he is sick. It sounds like Hyperthyroidism or Kidney Disease
I have a beautiful girl I rescued her and have had her for 7 years now I really don’t know what’s going on I know if I tried to touch her stomach she hisses at me and will bite softly She is not drinking any water and any food she eats she throws right back up I don’t have the money to take her to a vet does anybody have any suggestions of what I can do to help her I would greatly appreciate any help thank you so much may you all have a beautiful wonderful day. I am sorry to hear of the loss of some of your babies I .
she may have a blockage or twisted intestine and needs to be seen immediately. They die from dehydration.
Start syringe feeding your kitting before it gets dehydrated!! As my kitty went missing and then last week finally found him got to the vet , dehydrated bad have no idea why what happened to him when the following week he was fine !! Now I’m home force feeding him everything!! After a week he was at the vets with Iv’s and antibiotics and X-rays and blood work, it was his liver !! So I’am hoping he pulls through! 🙏🙏Prayers to you too
One morning my 17-year-old cat would not eat his wet food, an immediate red flag! Took him to the vet that day, he had a kidney infection of all things. Then my Himalayan, 4-years-old, started to squat like he was going to pee on the dog’s bed, which he never does! Again I got him immediately to my vet, he had crystals in his urine which had obstructed his urethra, poor thing. So anything out of the ordinary for your pet probably means something is up. So many times people wait too long before taking their animal to the vet which can make the difference between surviving or not.
Did he have a dry food diet? That causes all kinds of problems.
cocoa is 6 weeks old wired to run i use the word NO and she is learning that i mean business there is improvement and i do have alot of patients she was a stray and alot of wild in her when she needs me i am there petting talking and soothing her it seems to help is this a help on the way to calm her down i have 5 other cats that are calm but ms cocoa is tormenting them to much need suggestion please thanks you
Take extra time to talk with her. If she was a stray, she didn’t grow up learning human language. I l have a stray that came in and started hanging around with my cats, that we’re all born here, therefore they knew what I was saying to them, any way, I named the stray, Rodger the alien, from American Dad. I figure he was Farrell and definitely didn’t know how to speak human. He and I spent a lot of time talking and snacking, till finally, he knows his name, and comes to me for cuddles. (I have 9 cats) all are spayed and neutered, even Rodger. I definitely know what I am talking about.
Wow! I admire you for having 9 cats and adopted a stray cat I salute you for that. Not long ago I started feeding cats in my back yard here and there one cat then started adding til some of them are having babies already…so I got worried! Then I bought a trap to catch the Mama cat and there babies…I couldn’t handle them so I turned them in to Camarillo, Ca shelter..I trusted this Shelter bec that is not a kill shelter since 2014. I had one fixed..for free..so I let go of him. Still has some hope they are ok.
Have your vet test your cat’s kidney’s with IDEXX SDMA testing for early detection. If can add years to your pet’s life.
I lost my cat Bella who was not quite 7 years old this year. She had been losing weight and she was eating a lot, had tests done and could not find anything. She fell over one day and I rushed her to the vet and the doctor said he would like to do one more test, I said “we did all”, he said, this one would normally not be checked on a 7 year old cat. Turns out, her liver was failing when the test came back. I put her down shortly after as she was really too far gone. It hurts to say goodbye esp. when they are not old. Don’t ignore anything, better to be safe then sorry. Even if your cat is young, don’t ignore anything. As far as expense, most vets will work with you. Besides, they are members of the family and our worth the expense.
Hearing loss can have a cat meowing loudly since they . . .
I watch my kittens closely. Only because one has toxoplasmosis. He is very excitable especially at feeding time. I give home half portions of food, because a full portion and his excitement makes him vomit. Lots of other signs, but if you love the animal you watch for signs, when in doubt go to the vet.
My kitty was 15 yrs old, she never showed any signs of pain or hurting, but on sept 23 had to put her down, end of August. She acted funny on a Friday so I was gonna take her on Monday to vets.mwatched her during that weekend. By Monday she was much better acting like herself and normal… Well about two weeks after that she started acting funny again so in had made plans to take her to get well so this takes us to third week In Sept… So she was eating a lot and even drinking more then eating so by Wednesday she was going to bathroom a lot and drinking a lot so I madeappointment for Friday and she had gotten so lathargic by Friday and was vomiting and had accidents could not get to box. Wet all over. Large amounts on floor. So on that Friday had to put her down for it was to far gone and it happen so fast… I am so sorry I let this go on, I wish I could of helped her… She didn’t act like she was I. Pain but idk they can not talk… But I held her for the last part of that week a lot and was. So sorry I had to put her down. But did t want to. See her suffer any more. It was horrible I wish this on no one … I miss my Colee so much.msne was my little sleeping buddy..
I’m so sorry. They are like children.
Your kitty may have had diabetes. Small chance of poisoning maybe by eating a toxic plant.
My kitty is 5 years old and she snores and sometimes sounds like she is wheezing. She gained a lot of weight last winter and then lost a lot this summer.
Noticed my 2 year old normally healthy cat had lost weight. he ate well but was drinking a lot of water and began urinating outside the box and a lot.I immediately thought diabetes. Took him to vet. Had lots of test. He had a rare disease called penna diabetics. Vet put him on meds – same one an adult would take just a lot less of it – takes it morning and night in a pill pocket. He still drinks a lot but doesn’t urinate as much. Vet said his urine had not even had a smell because it was pure water. Otherwise he was perfectly healthy. That was a year ago. He gained all weight back. Is playful and healthy. But he does drink more water than normal and always will, it’s just that now he retains the amount that his body needs. The vet is great! However, the medication is quite expensive but vet called everywhere until he found the least expensive place for us to get it, which in this case turned out to be Costco. It would have been easy to have gotten a misdiagnosis on this little cat.
My cats all apear to be healthy and behaving normally. All except my oldest, 9 years old, has rather bad breath even though his teeth are cleaned. I have changed food three different times to no avail. I have travelled and live in a large motorhome. My work should last another 1-2 months. Any suggestions?
Kidney disease perhaps. Please have your cat checked out ASAP
Probably stomatitis, take it to the vet it will only get worse.
My 6 year old very overweight male cat poops outside the box. I’m wondering if I should take him in to the vet because now he’s having diarrhea. His pooping is behavior issues that we’re working on, but the loose stools just started happening. No diet changes. All the other cats are fine. Oh, and he stinks to high heaven! Original smelly cat!
A blockage can cause intermittent diarrhea and constipation. Or, it may be allergies to food. Have it checked out because a blockage can be deadly.
My cat Twinkle just recently passed on Dec 26th. He was 9 1/2 years old. He went from 15 pounds to 7 when he got very sick. I noticed he was straining to go poop & nothing would come out. We switched from hard to soft cat food & he would eat just a little. I noticed his weight loss & how it was hard for him to walk. When he couldn’t jump on my lap I knew this was it. I took him to the vet & he was too far gone. He had went into liver failure the vet said & nothing could be done. He passed within 2 seconds. He was our first animal out of 5 that we’ve had since 5 weeks old that has passed away & I’ve cried everyday this week. I have 2 other cats & 2 dogs to help me ease the pain, but it still hurts. But now he is not suffering. This all happened in 1 week.
I took our cat to a vet because she was acting like she was constipated wasn’t really eating or drinking much. The first vet did not diagnose her right everything started to shut down on her because she was dehydrated so bad and she was a year old so I took her to another vet and he gave her an antibiotic and said she had a intestinal infection. The antibiotic worked and within a couple of days she was doing so much better. It cured her problem he said sometimes when they have an intestinal infection they act constipated but they really aren’t. We come close to losing her over it. I had to keep hydrating her for a couple of weeks otherwise she would not have made it.
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/9lives_cat_food.html please don’t feed your cat this food I have 4 healthy cat who are now all dieing due to this food
I noticed that my brother’s cat has blood in his stool when I was cleaning its litter. I’m wondering what may cause it. He, the cat, has his vaccines up-to-date and never misses a doctor’s appointment. I see that you mentioned it could be a parasitic infection. So even with deworming and vaccines, could a cat still get infected? Thanks!
Hi my cat keeps being sick .but he would eat food ifor I put it down but I’ve just been given him water isports that the right thing to do
My cat turned 18 in August. She is mostly deaf and cries all night long. 2 months ago she was dripping blood out of her backside and having accidents. Took her to the vet and Vet gave her a shot and sent her home with us. She seemed fine shortly after that. I came home from work today. she threw up and pooped on my sons bed and peed with blood on my daughters bed…also threw up undigested food on daughters floor. She is a small cat typically 9 or 10 lbs. last time at the vets she was only 7 lbs. I don’t want to watch her suffer, vet does not want to put her down. When it was time for our dog to go to heaven we waited way too long…too much suffering. I don’t want to see that happen to my cat. we’ve had 18 wonderful years. Vet has all these idea that all cost money to prolong her life (she sleeps about 21-22 hrs a day)…he says, you wouldn’t put your grandmother to sleep when she’s sick would you? Not sure what to do
Fire your vet. There are so many caring vets that are sympathetic to your situation. It is awful he talked to you that way. He is not fit to be a vet.
Hi I’m wondering if any body’s cat has had a mass on there spleen, my xats got hydrothrism and gets Meds but she was to good for a werk so I took her to pdsa and they scanned her and said she had a mass on her spleen but I did notice she’s became little more clingy and not as playfully, I’m so scared of loosing her and how long will let she survey with this mass
My poor cat is really poorly. Been vets 6 times she’s been on antibiotics, anti inflammatory & on steroids & duretics now. She’s sleeping all the time won’t eat hardly drinks has lost so much weight. Go bk vets Monday he doesn’t know what’s wrong with her. All bloods normal & X-ray I am so worried. I think she is dying she’s hiding & doing weird things as well
I have had my daughters cat for 2 years I would say the cat was probably 7 yrs total don’t know – she was an indoor outdoor cat she was blind and could not get pregnant and could not be fixed I don’t know if she was born like that or due to my abusive ex husband but my daughter brought her to me out of fear the cat would not make it due to abuse- so for 2 yrs Kit-Kat has made us very happy (she had a Possum’s face she got along well with my cats but if there were other cat she didn’t get along with she really whooped them two weeks ago she was missing for 5 days when she arrived back home she looked horrible she had lost a lot of weight eyes were very much infected I brought her inside she only ate a little bit to drink a little bit of water and she laid in the Box the following day I open the back door and she walked out she didn’t run out she just walk very slowly then she left for two more days and I kept thinking I’ve got to find her something’s wrong with her I might have to put her down when I did find her underneath my home she didn’t look so well so I took her to the local shelter and I told them I think she needed to be put down does she wouldn’t eat anymore and I had to put her down I asked him to take a look at her and tell me what they thought and when I uncovered her from the towel they said yes she looks like she needs to be put down but nobody ever told me what was wrong with her and they ended up keeping her there while I came home and Doug and burial spot for her and I went back a couple hours later to pick her up and she’s on the property now and I didn’t know if anybody else has cat have done this been gone for 5 days came back I just kept thinking maybe she’s just not a Survivor out there you know she didn’t know to go hunting I don’t know anybody have any ideas
I have a 10 year old female cat. She’d been peeing for years on the floor and on the furniture, we took her to the vet and they said she was fine. She stopped peeing for two years now and today peed on the couch again and seems to have been behaving weird. She has gained weight and seems to want even more attention then we already give her, she also keeps me up during the night. I don’t know if anything is wrong or due to old age or if it’s just behavioural but I don’t understand why it would be. We (my mom, sister and I) are sick and tired of it but are also concerned.
I have a 2 year old male cat. It all began with him jumping less and not as offen as he always did. Taking shortcuts to get up obstacles. It got to a point I could see he was not bothered to carry out his normal activities, habits etc.. even battled to get into my lap and even my bed.
I’ve taken him 3 times already to the vet and enquired about this discovery.. first I was told he is Fat and needs to be fed less and he should come around with activities.
Second visit concerned me as he had heaps or pain at the rear of his body and did not like been touched there. Was placed on 6 tablets of anti inflamitory and was I was told there’s some pressure on his spine and pelvic area.. neurologic issue as the vet mentioned.
6 days passed with zero improvement. More pain and discomfort I returned yesterday and showed the vet where he has pain again.. different Dr. Feeling and pushing all over had my cat hissing with pain and tried to bite us.
He says it’s neurological in the mid area of his back which is causing his discomfort. Gave Pred x 5mg for 2 weeks..
Got back home and let him walk from the car and I could see his mobility just not right. Couple of hours later it all went South when he could not get to his litter box and stand to have his poo.. I had to keep him upright.. now he is just laying down,can’t stand,meows with pain for any movement.. I’m so heartbroken I’ve had no sleep as I’ve been next time the entire night. I will return this morning now and demand a better diagnosis than just tablets and second guessing.
Has anyone heard of this type of problem in cats?
Any support would be appreciated.
TIA.
Hey Grant – How is your cat doing? I’ve heard of heart problems causing blood clots in the back legs, or hind part of a cat’s body. Did you ever get this problem resolved? Let me know what happened.
My cat was only 5 years old when he passed away last week. He was a pretty healthy cat for the most part. The past few weeks he threw up a few times and the night before he died he was making some loud crying noises but other then that he was great. He took the throwing up as in he was eating to much. But anyways we got home from dinner and went to check on him and he was not moving next thing we knew he twitched a few times and died does anyone know what this could be or why
my cat fizz is know 17 good age i know for cat. but i am worried as she as stopped going out side which she normal loves to do, she normal loves have attention and good fuss of people but know she keeps hiding and pushing way and biting and this is first time in her life and she as lost so much weight know i can see most of her bones but she is eating has normal
im finding that after one of my cats goes to the littler box, she is not getting it all out an it hangs out of her rump,then will come out somewhere in the house
My almost year or year old cat has been acting strange. He used to alway use the litter box but no recently has starting to not want to stay in the room he sleeps in and is pooping in this dirt with plant inside. He also has been eating very excessively yet not going to the bathroom as much. So I’m planing on taking him to the vet to see if anything is wrong, also has flea which we are trying to get rid of again. If anyone has any idea what wrong please let me know.
I still don’t know what’s wrong with my cat. He’s 5 years old and he suddenly lost weight and drinks a lot but he deficates right after. I’m scared it’s serious but I don’t have to money for a vet…
It’s great to know that our pets will be able to give us clues if they are having a discomfort. I guess I need to get my cat checked because of being too quiet today. What I mean is that he is not that playful for a whole day. Usually, he rests or has a downtime during the noontime.
My cat Simon had anxiety issues when we introduced two new cats into the household, and started spraying our radiator. We tried medication but ended up having to separate the cats. After a time, they seemed to start being curious about each other and we decided to start letting them into each other’s territory slowly to see if we could introduce them. For about two weeks, everything seemed fine. Then this morning, Simon sprayed the radiator again. With no actual interaction between the cats, why would he panic with no threat?
Sorry to bother, I just posted about my cat Simon and I wanted to ask if anyone had any thoughts to please email me at [email protected]. he is 15 and I really would like him to be able to get along with the other cats and to not have to be separated , it makes me feel like a terrible cat mother. Please and thank you for your help and advice.
Thanks for helping me understand that a cat’s vomit is natural, but they need to see a vet when there is blood and if it is happening a lot. I will keep that in mind to ensure that my cat will get treated quickly at the first sign of an issue. It just bothered me when he vomited this morning since I am just new to owning a pet cat.
My boy is 10 and has had a kind of snoring sound going on for about 6mths. Vets don’t have a clue… He litterally sounds like he has a cold but no meds have worked. Just last night he vomited and then we found a poo on the mat in a doorway just outside his litter box but today he has vomited again (this time is was more like a huge hair ball) and i just found a poo on the mat at the back door. Have no idea what has suddenly brought this on!!
My son’s cat has started to lose weight recently. She is pretty much skin and bones now. We noticed that she wasn’t eating very much or drinking very much. So little by little we got her to eat more but she’s still not eating as much as she used to. She’s lethargic and just sleeps most of the day other than the times when we wake her up and get her to eat for the times that she’s cleaning herself. She used to be a very moody Kitty who would bite or scratch anyone other than my son if they touched her in the wrong place including myself. Now she’s very affectionate and even if she seems to be annoyed by something that someone does she doesn’t react by biting or scratching or running away like she used to, she just lets whoever do whatever and lays there and takes it. Now she has started urinating and defecating all over wherever it is that she chooses to lay. My mom made the comment that she appears to be shedding a lot more than she was before as well. She used to be a loud “meower” but now she barely makes any noise and her voice is soft and timid and sometimes even a little bit squeaky. She’s not a young cat and I’m afraid that my son’s cat may be dying. I don’t know what to do. Any help, advise, suggestions, resources, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
One summer morning my 7 yr old cat came in the house, vomitted in one room, pooped diarrhea in another, meowed long sounds, lay down and didn’t want to be picked up, she lay around for a while but took some water, no appetite, had hair loss but wanted back outside. Her balance is off in the way she isn’t graceful as before and her vision seems impaired. Could she have suffered a bite from her prey? She is a very skilled hunter, more “gifts” when she was younger but still enjoys the outdoors.
My cat is 19 years old he can’t find the kitty litter anymore he seems to be hungry all the time he lost every tooth in his mouth and he pants and awful lot what should I do is it time for him to get put to sleep?
My 2yr female BSH has developed a small clouds area on the outside of her eye, Anyone got any ideas, I have photo’s
My female cat is 14 yrs old. She been vomiting everyday since September. She’s had blood tests, red and white cells including an ultra-sound. The vets can’t seem to find anything wrong with her. I’m at a complete loss with it all. I’ve trawled and searched the Internet for answers unable to find a solution. I thought it was a food allergy. Tried her on a non grain food. Still no joy. Any help or advice would be gratefully appreciated.
My cat is allergic to egg and milk. Egg is a most common ingredient in food for them and I have to look very carefully in everything I give her, dry and wet. Check the foods and see if there is a common denominator, as that may be it.
My cat is 20 yrs old he went to the vet recently had tests done including blood work he said considering his age his blood test is heathy he suggested worming him which we did we flea treatment as well he 1/2 kilo underweight he keeps pooing lose liquid light brown his mood is more moody growling also clingy to my partner there’s something going on with him and we think he’s going the same way as my other cat who was 20 years old she had to be put down due to cancer me and my partner don’t want to take him to the vets to discuss our options but I’m thinking he dying and it breaks my heart and it will break my partners heart as it’s his cat what do I do can someone please advise
My 18 year old got out of the house and didn’t come when I called him and looked at me like I’m not coming back. He knew he was dying and just wanted to go. We spent too much money with a clinic that could have let us know he had cancer before the $1,200 bill, as my vet did 5 minutes after taking his blood.
20 years old is quite a gift. Once we take them out of their natural environment and make all the decisions for them, it’s our responsibility to make the best decisions for them, not us. If you wait too long, your baby may suffer needlessly. Take care, I know it’s hard.
My 13 year old cat for the last two months has a problem making a bowel movement. When he does he allways throws up first then lays on his side trying to force it out.He eventually does but seems to be in pain when doing so. My vet says he found stones in his bladder which he is going to remove. Can this be the problem.
I never took into account the fact that changes in sleeping patterns can be a sign of cat illness. I had just thought that the fact that my cat has been waking up more often was just its way of showing that it wants more attention. When I think about all the ways it’s acted strangely recently, it makes sense that this could be a sign of illness, so I’ll take this as a sign that I need to look for a vet as soon as now.
I picked up my cat from a shelter exactly two months ago. He pees and poops once a day. He drinks and eats normal, but especially the peeing so little worries me. I took him to the vet and they gave him medication for a beginning urinary infection but all stayed the same….. can it be that a cat just is like that?
House cats originated as desert animals and tend not to drink enough. In male cats especially this may predispose to urinary stones which are painful and can be life threatening if a blockage occurs. The cat would be in pain and unable to pee if a blockage happened. The average frequency of urination for cats is reported as 2-3 times per day. Frequent or painful (yowling while peeing) urination are signs of problems. You could try a pet fountain to encourage him to drink more. Also, wet food provides more hydration than crunchies.
I have taken my 9 year old cat to the vet and they said she seems fine. But she is not fine. She has always used her litter box and now she will not use it at all.
She recently started hissing at the other cats, 1 whom she has lived with for 9 yrs, the other for 2 yrs.
Started having a difficult time jumping on things and wants to be beside me at all times, this is odd being as for 9 yrs she never wanted attention.
Any ideas?
I took a 14 yr old male cat in with no knowledge if his history. I started using that Pretty Litter. His urine came up dark green and bright yellow. A tiny bit of blood. I took him to the vet. I did 2 rounds of antibiotics and have him on prescription cat food. Hard and soft food. He is having dark green and bright yellow urine again. Can’t afford a bunch of tests and doctor won’t take payments. Denied by the credit company that was recommended by them. Is this just normal for this age? Any suggestions?
My Laddy is a 11-year-old indoor cat. A main coon. When he urinates and then I tried to clean out the litter box his urine is hard I have to break it off practically. It never been that way before. He is drinking a lot of water more than normal. I can’t afford the $1,000 the vet wants to do lab work and x-rays. Does anybody have any idea what this might be? Thank you everybody