Signs your cat needs to see a vet

In the wild, showing weakness can make an animal a target, so cats instinctively mask pain and illness. By the time a cat looks obviously unwell, a problem may already be advanced. Knowing your cat's normal habits makes it much easier to notice when something changes.

Go to a vet immediately if your cat

• Strains in the litter box and produces little or no urine, especially if your cat is male, as a urinary blockage can become life-threatening within hours
• Breathes with an open mouth, pants or struggles to breathe
• Has eaten something toxic, such as any part of a lily, human medication or antifreeze
• Collapses, has a seizure or cannot stand
• Has been hit by a car or fallen from a height, even if they seem fine

Call your vet soon if you notice

• Not eating for more than 24 hours
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
• Drinking or urinating much more than usual
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Hiding, unusual aggression or a change in personality
• Peeing or pooping outside the litter box

Subtle signs of pain

A cat in pain may groom less, sit hunched with their eyes half closed, stop jumping onto favorite perches or become irritable when touched. These changes are easy to dismiss as old age, but they often have treatable causes.

Prevention is the best medicine

Yearly check-ups let your vet catch problems early, and many vets recommend visits every six months for senior cats. Keep up with vaccinations and parasite prevention, and talk to your vet about spaying or neutering if your cat is not already fixed.

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your cat, call your vet. It is always better to check.