1. Vomiting

While vomiting in cats isn’t uncommon, it’s important to remember that it’s never normal. Vomiting can be caused by a number of conditions such as hairballs, diet, obstructions, poisons, parasites, constipation, diabetes, cancer, diseases/disorders of some of the major organs, and more. If there is blood in their vomit (often, this looks like coffee grounds), this is always a sign of a serious problem, and they need to be seen by a vet right away.

2. Increased Thirst and/or Increased Urination

If you notice your cat drinking an excessive amount of water, especially if it’s coupled with increased urination, it could be a sign of hyperthyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, or another metabolic issue.

3. Loss of Appetite

If your cat becomes disinterested in food, this could indicate a variety of different conditions such as dental problems, obstructions, organ failure, etc. If you notice your cat has lost their appetite, don’t wait several days before calling your veterinarian. If it’s been 24-36 hours, and your cat still doesn’t want to eat, take them to the vet. Regardless of the cause, they could develop other problems such as fatty liver disease if it lasts for too long.

4. Obesity

Cats that are obese have an increased risk of developing cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and more so if your cat is gaining too much weight, talk to your vet about creating a plan to get them back on track.

5. Weight Loss

Weight loss can be a sign of hyperthyroidism as well as other diseases like cancer. (If a cat loses 1 pound, that’s similar to a human losing 20 pounds!) That’s why it’s so important to address any weight loss with your vet. Note – It’s often difficult to tell whether a cat has lost weight, even if you’re weighing them at home. Unlike veterinary scales, the scales we use at home aren’t accurate enough to detect small changes. This is one the reasons why we recommend keeping your cat up-to-date on all of their routine exams. Even a small amount of weight loss can be the first sign of an underlying problem.

6. Bad Breath

Bad breath is often a sign of gum disease and/or tooth decay. Brushing your cat’s teeth at home is the best way to prevent these issues, but most cats need to have periodic dental cleanings too, just like humans.

7. Straining to Go to the Bathroom

If you notice that your cat is unable to urinate or defecate, straining, or making frequent trips in and out of the litter box, they need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately, especially if they are unable to urinate because this could indicate a potentially life-threatening blockage. If they are unable to defecate, it could be constipation, but it’s best to call your vet either way. Other signs to watch for are meowing while trying to use the litter box and licking the genitals.

8. Diarrhea or Constipation

Persistent diarrhea or constipation can have many negative consequences and should be addressed with your vet. For example, diarrhea can be due to something your cat ate, intestinal parasites, etc., but it can also lead to dehydration, which can be fatal.

9. Urinating or Defecating Outside of the Litter Box

While going to the bathroom outside of the litter box could be a behavioral issue or even a problem with your litter box set-up, it could also be a medical issue such as an infection, kidney disease, bladder stones, etc.

10. Blood in the Litter Box

Blood in a cat’s urine could indicate that they are dealing with anything from an infection to bladder stones to cancer, while blood in their stool could be a sign of a variety of problems. Note – Blood in the stool can sometimes appear black.

11. Hiding

Cats feel more secure in enclosed spaces so they tend to hide when they’re in pain or not feeling well. Some cats are naturally more social than others so just pay attention to any changes from what is normal for your cat (i.e. hiding in different places, hiding for longer periods of time, showing other symptoms, etc.).

12. Change in Grooming Habits

There are a variety of reasons why cats start grooming themselves too much or don’t groom themselves enough. Excessive grooming could be due to stress, fleas, an allergy, etc., and a lack of grooming could be due to obesity, arthritis, pain in their mouth, kidney disease, and more.

13. Mobility Problems

There is a wide range of problems that can accompany mobility issues, such as stiffness, limping, etc. It could be due to an injury or even arthritis (especially with older cats), but either way, you should get them examined by a vet to find the problem.

14. Lethargy

Lethargy is associated with many underlying disorders and should be examined by your veterinarian, especially if it lasts more than 24 hours. Signs to watch for are inactivity, drowsiness, weakness, and delayed responses.

15. Excessive Meowing

If your cat suddenly starts meowing more than usual, or if they sound different, they could be in pain, but it could also be a sign of hyperthyroidism. As with all changes, it’s best to call your vet so you can get to the root of the problem.