Cat · Guide

When should I take my cat to the vet?

Go immediately if a male cat is straining in the litter tray without producing urine — urinary blockage kills within a day or two. Also urgent: difficulty breathing, collapse, not eating for more than 24 hours, or open-mouth breathing. Book promptly for weight loss, increased thirst, or changes in litter habits.

Urinary blockage is the one to know

A male cat repeatedly visiting the litter tray, straining, crying, and producing little or no urine is a genuine emergency. Blockage causes kidney failure and death within roughly 24 to 48 hours.

It is frequently mistaken for constipation, which is why it kills cats whose owners were watching but misread the sign.

Cats hide illness better than dogs

A cat will act normally well into an illness. By the time behaviour changes visibly, the problem is often established. This makes subtle changes more meaningful, not less.

Hiding more than usual, reduced grooming, sitting hunched, or sleeping in unusual places all count as signals.

Not eating is more serious in cats

A cat that stops eating for more than a day risks hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition that arises from the body mobilising fat too quickly. This is why feline appetite loss is treated more urgently than in dogs.

Open-mouth breathing in a cat is always abnormal and always urgent.

The slow signs worth acting on

Weight loss, increased thirst and increased urination are the classic early indicators of hyperthyroidism, diabetes and kidney disease — three common feline conditions that all respond considerably better to early treatment.

Check your own pet — freeSnap a few photos, get a wellness score in minutes

A wellness check, not a diagnosis — and never a replacement for your vet. If something seems wrong with your animal, see a veterinarian.

Common questions

Why is my male cat straining in the litter box?

Possible urinary blockage — a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care, not a wait-and-see.

How long can a cat go without eating?

Not long. Beyond about 24 hours, cats risk hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition. Appetite loss in cats is urgent.

Is open-mouth breathing normal in cats?

No. Unlike dogs, cats do not normally pant, and open-mouth breathing always warrants immediate veterinary attention.