8 Signs of Cat Illness

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.

sick cat

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.

Buy Cat Litter & Accessories Today – Shop over 1,000 Brands at Chewy!

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.

image2

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.

image5

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.

image4

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.

image8

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.

image10

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.

image3

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.

image12

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!

image6

Save

Save

102 Comments

  1. Judy January 11, 2016
    • Bobbie Larson October 31, 2018
      • Heather RENEE Engelman December 13, 2018
        • HolisticCatMama January 30, 2019
      • Loretta April 7, 2019
      • sharon April 23, 2019
    • Bobbie Larson October 31, 2018
  2. Karen April 25, 2016
    • Traci December 21, 2016
  3. Patricia D. Murphy August 19, 2016
    • Wendy Dauria September 20, 2016
    • Judy October 16, 2016
    • Cynthia October 25, 2016
    • kelly November 13, 2016
      • Cheri December 3, 2016
    • Cheri December 3, 2016
    • russ hochman May 7, 2018
    • Gigi August 16, 2018
      • tiffany December 2, 2018
      • Cindy Beam December 6, 2019
  4. Sonna Brockette August 25, 2016
    • Bink August 26, 2016
      • Mary Bradley Story October 25, 2016
        • Elaine December 30, 2017
          • KayCee May 13, 2018
          • Stacy allan July 30, 2019
    • mary lou korchok August 26, 2016
    • Diana Cochran August 26, 2016
    • Penny September 1, 2016
    • Sandi Mc September 12, 2016
      • Emily September 23, 2016
      • terrie October 14, 2016
        • Connie October 21, 2016
    • Sandy September 17, 2016
      • Andrea Bland September 13, 2019
    • Cherie September 17, 2016
      • Cherie September 17, 2016
    • Kim September 25, 2016
    • Kim October 4, 2016
    • Kimberley October 13, 2016
    • Marjorie Gauntt October 20, 2016
    • Tracy October 31, 2017
    • Jeannean Dolan April 19, 2018
      • chris May 20, 2018
        • Anetha May 21, 2019
        • Sandy November 4, 2019
  5. Robin Jaske August 29, 2016
    • Sandy October 5, 2016
  6. edith September 1, 2016
    • Ruth November 6, 2016
      • Lolly Moore November 26, 2016
  7. Sheila C September 6, 2016
  8. Allie September 20, 2016
  9. Emily September 23, 2016
  10. [email protected] October 2, 2016
  11. Kathy October 15, 2016
    • Cheri December 2, 2016
  12. Rebecca October 16, 2016
  13. Jan October 18, 2016
  14. Marjorie Gauntt October 20, 2016
    • Cheri December 2, 2016
  15. Lorna Ruiz October 27, 2016
  16. Julie November 28, 2016
    • Cheri December 2, 2016
  17. Nadine December 30, 2016
    • Gloria November 28, 2017
  18. nikki February 17, 2017
  19. Joy Butler October 4, 2017
  20. sonia January 29, 2018
  21. Jersey girl February 8, 2018
    • Maryellen July 10, 2018
      • moll August 16, 2018
    • Kathy April 6, 2019
  22. Laura Stebbins February 17, 2018
  23. Jasmine February 20, 2018
  24. Grant March 2, 2018
    • Jen July 18, 2018
  25. Heather March 3, 2018
  26. CLARICE WASHINGTON April 8, 2018
  27. james ;ay July 25, 2018
  28. Random October 4, 2018
  29. Angelica Beck November 29, 2018
  30. Millie Hue December 18, 2018
  31. Worried/sad January 28, 2019
  32. Worried/sad January 28, 2019
  33. Arya Smith February 22, 2019
  34. Emma February 23, 2019
  35. Danielle June 26, 2019
  36. Debbie July 19, 2019
  37. Bobbie Jo August 13, 2019
  38. paul spencer December 9, 2019
  39. Sue January 19, 2020
    • Judy June 9, 2020
  40. Annette June 8, 2020
  41. Judy June 22, 2020
  42. John Bennett July 16, 2020
  43. Afton Jackson September 21, 2020
  44. Alexandra November 2, 2020
  45. Elaine December 18, 2020
  46. Laura Davis September 21, 2021
  47. Lora Banks April 27, 2022
  48. Jackie A Mitchell August 4, 2022

Leave a Reply