Cat symptom checker
Three steps: warning signs, the main problem and a few follow-up questions. At the end you’ll see how urgently your cat needs a vet, what you can do at home and articles to read.
Go to the vet straight away if you notice even one of these signs
- breathing with the mouth open or with effort, blue-tinged gums or tongue
- unconscious, can’t get up, doesn’t respond
- seizures
- a male cat strains in the litter tray for a long time but passes no urine
- suddenly can’t use the hind legs and cries out in pain
- fell from a window or balcony, was hit by a car or had another serious injury
- ate or licked something poisonous (lilies, antifreeze, human medicines, dog flea treatment)
- heavy bleeding that won’t stop
Common problems
- Vomiting: Internal parasites in dogs and cats, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Diarrhoea: Internal parasites in dogs and cats, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Not eating: Changes in appetite, activity and behaviour, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Problems peeing: Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Drinking and peeing a lot: A special diet for pets with kidney disease, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Breathing heavily, coughing: First aid for cats with choking, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Sneezing, runny nose and eyes: Recognising the first symptoms of viral infections, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Eyes: red, watery, squinting: First aid for a foreign object in your pet’s eye, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Itching, hair loss: External parasites: fleas, ticks and other insects, First aid for allergic reactions and swelling in cats, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Scratching the ears, shaking the head: Bad odour from ears and ear infections, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Limping: First aid for fractures in pets, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Seizures, wobbling, behaving strangely: Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Lethargic, weak, “not herself”: Changes in appetite, activity and behaviour, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Bad breath, drooling, difficulty chewing: Signs of problems with your pet’s teeth, claws and ears, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Constipation: Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- May have been poisoned: Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Injury, fall from a height: First aid for fractures in pets, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Lump or swelling: Swelling and puffiness in pets, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
- Losing weight: A special diet for pets with kidney disease, Internal parasites in dogs and cats, Emergency measures for sudden deterioration in health
The checker helps you get your bearings, but it does not make a diagnosis and does not replace an examination by a vet. If in doubt, call your vet practice.