Information on
Common Cat Health Problems

If You Think Your Cat is Sick...

Common cat health problems range from simple inconveniences to life-threatening accidents and illnesses. If you notice any unusual behavior in your cat or kitten (especially things like not eating, constipation, lethargy, or a dull coat), you should contact your veterinarian. Your cat may be sick and may need veterinary care.

Sick Cat Health Symptoms

Symptoms that something is wrong with your cat or kitten include loss of appetite, a dull coat, excessive grooming or itching, not grooming after eating, lethargy, hiding in unusual places (places your cat normally doesn't hide), vomiting, diarrhea, appearance of the third eyelid extending from the corner of your cat's eyes while awake, difficulty using the cat litter box (from either end) or using another location for elimination when your cat usually uses her litter pan, excessive drooling, drinking lots and lots of water or any other behavior that seems unusual for your cat.

The above is not an exhaustive list of all symptoms of kitten or common cat health problems. You need to know your cat and know his or her regular behavior. If you're a new cat owner, it's a really good idea to read information about cat behavior and cat health. Sometimes, local animal shelters offer classes to help you get to know your cat better, as well as how to train your cat, and make adjustments in your home for your new cat or kitten.

If you suspect something is wrong with your kitty, you should consult a veterinarian immediately. There is no way for you to know the extent of the problem with your cat or kitten without having a vet take a look. And you really should consult your vet as soon as possible to avoid a possible minor problem from becoming more serious. For example, if your cat refuses to eat, it can lead to a serious health problem called hepatic lipidosis. If your kitty doesn't eat for more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian right away.

List of Common Cat Health Problems

Here's a partial list of common cat health problems. You can click on the live links to read more about some of the particular cat problems.

Cat Hairballs

Cat hairballs (also called hair balls, furballs or fur balls) are a really common problem cats have. Usually, your cat can pass the excessive hair that accumulates in his stomach either through his feces or through vomiting up the hairball. Here's a page with more information about cat hairballs. My Healthy Cat also provides you with information on treatment for cat hairballs.

Fleas

Fleas are an external parasite that can cause a myriad of common cat health problems in your cat or kitten, including anemia and tapeworm infection. Start at our flea control page to get all the information you need about fleas, what they can do to your cat or kitten, and how to get rid of fleas.

Plant Poisoning

Cats and kittens like to chew on green things! Certain indoor and outdoor plants, and even the insecticides on the plants, can poison your cat. Our plants poisonous to cats page provides more information.

Worms in Cats

Worms are also parasites that can affect your cat's health. Cats and kittens can get all types of worms: ringworms, roundworms, hookworms, lungworms and tapeworms. For more info, see My Healthy Cat's worms in cats page. If you know your cat has tapeworm, you can go directly to our tapeworm treatment page. You can also learn more about which worms from your cat you can get.

Viral and Other Infections

More serious infections that can plague your cat or kitten include feline infectious enteritis, rabies, and cat flu. There's also feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). All of these are more serious diseases and you should consult with your veterinarian about vaccinations and/or treatment.

Miscellaneous Cat Health Issues

Just as with a human, a healthy cat is susceptible to a multitude of different health issues. They can have digestive problems, urinary problems, respiratory problems, skin problems, etc. They can also suffer a number of other problems like road accidents, heat stroke, electric shock, falls, and other wounds. Having a feline first aid kit handy, as well as your veterinarian's phone number and an emergency pet hospital number available is a wise thing to do to take care of your cat or kitten (or dog or other pets).

Do You Need Cat Insurance for Common Cat Health Problems?

Some common cat health problems can be solved with basic things like a change in diet or over-the-counter cat medicine. Others can require extensive and expensive visits to your veterinarian. If you’re considering cat insurance, see our pet insurance page to help you decide if this investment is right for you.

Disclaimer—Consult a Vet!

Please note that the information provided on this page and in this website is only information. We are not veterinarians and we are not attempting to provide a diagnosis or treatment for your kitty. If you suspect that your cat or kitten is sick, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Waiting isn't only bad for your cat or kitten's health, but could also end up costing you a lot more in veterinary bills.

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