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Signs your cat might be sick, and when to call the vet
Cats · 3 min read
Cats are experts at hiding illness. Small changes in eating, litter box habits, and behavior are often the first clue. Here is what to watch for.
Why cats are hard to read
Cats instinctively hide weakness, so by the time a cat looks obviously unwell, the problem may have been building for a while. The people who notice illness early are usually the ones who know the cat's normal routine well and notice when it changes.
That is easier when one person does all the care. In a busy household, three people might each see one small change and never put it together. Writing down what you notice, even briefly, connects the dots.
Changes in eating and drinking
Eating less, skipping meals, or suddenly being much hungrier than usual are all worth noting. A cat that stops eating altogether should be seen by a veterinarian promptly; cats can develop serious liver problems if they go without food, so this is not something to wait out for days.
Drinking noticeably more water, or a water bowl that empties much faster than it used to, can be an early sign of conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes, especially in older cats.
Litter box clues
The litter box tells you a lot. Watch for more or fewer clumps than usual, larger clumps, diarrhea, constipation, blood, or a cat going outside the box.
Straining in the litter box with little or nothing coming out is an emergency, particularly in male cats, which can develop a urinary blockage. Repeated trips to the box, crying while trying to pee, or licking the genital area a lot all call for a same-day veterinarian visit or an emergency clinic.
Behavior and appearance
None of these on its own means a cat is seriously ill, but each is a reason to keep a closer eye and to mention it to your veterinarian.
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Hiding more than usual or avoiding the family.
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Less grooming (a greasy or unkempt coat) or over-grooming one spot.
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Sleeping much more, or seeming restless and unable to settle.
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Vomiting more than occasionally, or vomiting with lethargy.
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Weight loss you can feel along the spine and hips.
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Bad breath, drooling, or pawing at the mouth, which can mean dental pain.
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Limping, reluctance to jump, or crying when picked up.
Go now: emergency signs
Some signs shouldn't wait for a regular appointment. Contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic right away for:
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Trouble breathing, open-mouth breathing, or blue or very pale gums.
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Straining to urinate with little or no urine.
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Collapse, seizures, or sudden inability to use the back legs.
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Known or suspected poisoning, including lilies, which are very dangerous to cats, or human medications.
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Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood.
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Not eating at all for a day or more.
Keep a simple record
When you call the vet, specific details help: when you first noticed the change, how often it happens, and what else is going on. A short note each time someone notices something, "vomited after breakfast" or "didn't finish dinner", turns vague worry into useful information.
In JotAboutMe, add a note to your cat's jots or profile whenever something seems off. Everyone in the household sees it, and you'll have dates ready when the vet asks.
Put this into practice with JotAboutMe
A shared board for every pet: repeating jots for meals and medications, reminders at the right time, and a record of who did what. Free for your household.