🐱 Cat Health

Cat Symptom Checker

Browse common cat symptoms below. Each guide explains possible causes, home care options, and when you need to see the vet.

Quick Answer

We cover 13 common cat symptoms with urgency ratings. Select a symptom below for causes, home remedies, and vet-visit guidance.

⚠️ Urgent Symptoms

🍽️urgent

Not Eating

Cats cannot fast safely. Not eating is an emergency.

📦urgent

Litter Box Problems

Going outside the box can be behavioral or a medical emergency.

🚽urgent

When a previously litter-trained cat starts urinating outside the box, it is almost always a medical or stress-related issue — not spite. This is the #1 behavioral reason cats are surrendered to shelters.

⚖️urgent

Unexplained Weight Loss

Weight loss in cats that are still eating can indicate hyperthyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so weight loss is often the first visible sign.

😤urgent

Coughing

Coughing is much less common in cats than dogs and almost always indicates a significant health issue. Feline asthma is the most common cause.

💧urgent

Drinking More Water

Increased water intake (polydipsia) in cats often signals kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism — three of the most common conditions in senior cats.

📋 Other Symptoms to Monitor

🤮monitor

Vomiting

Hairballs are normal, frequent vomiting is not.

🙈monitor

Hiding

Hiding is a primary sign of pain or sickness in cats.

🤧monitor

Sneezing

Sneezing is often viral or allergic.

😺routine

Excessive Meowing

Could be attention, or medical issues like thyroid.

🪮monitor

Excessive Grooming / Hair Loss

Cats that groom to the point of creating bald patches or skin irritation may be dealing with allergies, pain, parasites, or stress-related psychogenic alopecia.

😮‍💨routine

Bad Breath

Foul breath in cats most commonly indicates dental disease (affecting 70% of cats by age 3) but can also signal kidney disease or other systemic health problems.

🦿monitor

Limping

Cats are experts at hiding pain, so if a cat is visibly limping, the issue is usually significant. Common causes range from minor sprains to arthritis or injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cat hiding and not eating?▼

Cats instinctively hide when they feel unwell or stressed. Loss of appetite combined with hiding for more than 24 hours is a significant warning sign. Common causes include infections, dental pain, urinary blockages, kidney issues, or stress from environmental changes. See a vet if it persists beyond one day.

How long can a cat go without eating before it's dangerous?▼

Cats should not go more than 24-48 hours without eating. Unlike dogs, cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) when they stop eating — a potentially fatal condition that can start within 2-3 days. If your cat refuses food for more than a day, contact your veterinarian.

What does it mean when my cat is drinking more water than usual?▼

Increased water consumption (polydipsia) in cats can signal diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or urinary tract issues. If you notice your cat visiting the water bowl significantly more often or their litter box is wetter, schedule a vet visit for blood work and urinalysis.

Are litter box issues always a behavioral problem?▼

No — urinating outside the litter box is often medical, not behavioral. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, and diabetes can all cause litter box problems. Male cats straining to urinate is a medical emergency (urinary blockage). Always rule out medical causes first.

Explore More

🍎 What Can Cats Eat?🧠 Cat Behavior Guide 🐾 Browse Cat Breeds 🆘 Pet First Aid Guides

Trusted sources: AVMA · Merck Vet Manual

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