70 Cat Illness Warning Signs

Your cat has some feline specific health risks of which you should be aware.

In addition to clear symptoms of disease, a change in behavior can be a sign of a disorder as well.

Since your cat can't speak up, you'll have to be alert to your cat's behavior.

Take particular notice of your cat's usual routine and behavior so that you'll know when there's a change.

During these grooming sessions, you should examine her for some of the signs of feline diseases while removing excess fur.

Since most cats enjoy these sessions, this is a good way to check your cat for some of these symptoms while she's content and distracted.

Below are many of the signs and symptoms of sick cats.

General Signs of Cat Illness

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Nasal Discharge
• Drooling
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Excessive vomiting
• Blood in vomit
• Evidence of worms in vomit
• Any signs of pain or tenderness
• Lameness
• Trouble breathing (Sometimes evidenced by a refusal to lie down, keeping the head and chest up)
• Weakness
• Failure to jump as high as normal
• Staggered, stiff, or unsteady or uneven walk
• Sudden or repeated loss of balance
• Fainting
• Falling down with no apparent cause
• Excessive or prolonged head shaking
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Swollen or tight abdomen or bloated appearance

Changes in Appetite and Thirst

• Difficulty chewing or eating
• Loss of appetite
• Increased thirst
• Failure to drink
• Hovering over the drinking bowl but refusing to drink

Problems with Urination and Defecation

• Blood in urine
• Difficulty urinating
• Excessive Urination (combined with excessive thirst)
• Howling or crying out when using the litter box
• Repeated visits to the litter box with no success
• Straining while urinating or defecating
• Litter box problems (inappropriate elimination or refusal to use the litter box)
• Blood in stool
• Black, tarry stools
• Worms or rice-looking particles in stool
• Feline Diarrhea may be a sign of many a cat illness
• Constipation

*Note: In male cats with urinary problems, an obstruction in the urinary tract is a life threatening condition.

• Dramatic change in behavior or routine
• Change in sleeping habits
• Appearing confused or disoriented
• Not wanting to lie down and favoring sitting up straight instead
• Uncharacteristic spitting or hissing behavior
• Uncharacteristic hiding or anti-social behavior
• Resenting being held, picked up, or pet/touched
• Excessive scratching
• Excessive licking behavior
• Excessive repeated licking of a particular area
• Excessive howling or crying out for no apparent reason
• Unusual aggression towards other pets
• Any other strange cat behaviors that are uncharacteristic

Various changes in cat behavior can be an indicator of either emotional or physical problems. Learn more about cat behavior here.

Eye Problems

• Haws (nictating membrane - the "third" eyelid) showing
• Dull or cloudy eyes
• Pupils of uneven size
• Ocular discharge

Mouth Problems

• Ulceration of the mouth
• Bad breath
• Pallor of lips and gums

Skin and Hair Issues

• Skin growths
• Oily appearance to the skin and coat
• Dandruff or skin flaking or scaling
• Lumps or nodules under the skin
• Any kind of swelling
• Skin eruptions, redness, or irritation
• Wounds
• Poor coat
• Hair loss
• Failure to self-groom
• Coat standing slightly erect
• Cat Parasites on skin or fur

More About Cat Illnesses

Your cat can develop bacterial infections and viruses such as a cold or flu just like you can.

She can also get parasites, cancer, and a host of feline specific ailments.

Your cat is at greater risk for developing illness if recently injured or debilitated by some other condition, recovering from a procedure or surgery, or there is increased stress due to a recent life-changing event in the home.

This may include the addition or removal of a family member or other pet, change of residence, or other event.

Older cats are at greater risk of developing certain conditions. Senior cat health problems, some of which are termed "age-related" are increasingly being blamed on a combination of diet and environmental factors.

Outdoor cats are generally more susceptible to disease than indoor cats, as are cats who are not vaccinated. Certain feline illnesses are preventable and have available vaccines. Not all cats should receive all vaccines, and there are some facts (schedule, benefits, risks, etc.) with which you should be familiar.

Here are some facts you should know about cat vaccinations, and here are some of the risks, as well as a list of cat vaccination resources.

Whether your cat is old or young, vaccinated or not, indoor or outdoor, some of these ailments will require treatment. If you suspect your cat may be ill, it's best to call your veterinarian and get some direction. Then, if things seem to get worse, both you and your vet will be better prepared to handle the situation.

If you need to buy pet medication for your cat, you can save money by purchasing it online. Some of these medications may be covered by cat insurance plans when purchased with certain options.

If your veterinarian agrees, there are a number of products available to boost the immune system of your cat. A stronger immune system, in theory, would mean less incidence of cat illness.

There are also herbal based products, such as Pet Bounce that work to reduce arthritis and joint pain.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but should be helpful in both keeping alert to possible issues, and giving you talking points for a discussion with your veterinarian.

Topics Related to Cat Illness

Cat health questions

Cat medicine

Cats and plants

Treatment for diarrhea in cats

Treatment of cat worms

Cat ringworm