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Signs Your Cat Is Unwell: What to Look For & When to Call the Vet

Cats hide illness well, so owners have to look for subtle changes. These are the signs to watch for, and when it's worth calling your vet.

· cats, cat health, illness, symptoms, when to see a vet

Cats are famously good at hiding illness. As predators that are also prey, they have evolved to mask signs of weakness — which means something wrong can be hard to spot until it’s well advanced. That’s exactly why small, everyday changes in your cat’s habits matter so much: they’re often the first clue that something isn’t right.

You know your cat best. If something feels off, a quick chat with your vet is cheap reassurance.

Why “disappearing” and hiding can matter

Because cats hide discomfort, a change in behaviour is often one of the earliest warning signs. The RSPCA advises keeping an eye out for behaviour changes — stressed or insecure cats can become unwell, and changes to their behaviour can be an early sign that something’s wrong. They also point out that cats have a similar pain threshold to people, so spotting problems early really does help.

Lethargy and sleeping more than usual

Cats naturally sleep a lot — the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) notes they often sleep 12–16 hours a day (or more) because they save energy for hunting. The concerning thing isn’t that your cat sleeps: it’s sleeping more than usual. If your cat seems low on energy, PDSA advises contacting your vet if they’ve been lethargic for more than 24 hours, and booking an urgent appointment if they seem severely lethargic.

Changes in appetite or weight

A sudden loss of appetite deserves attention. PDSA explains that most cats graze throughout the day, so if this natural behaviour stops, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong — and they advise letting your vet check your cat if they lose their appetite, partly because going without food can put cats at risk of a liver condition called hepatic lipidosis.

Weight loss is a similar story: PDSA says weight loss in cats is usually a sign of a problem, and slow or gradual loss can be easy to miss — especially in a fluffy cat. Their advice is to always get in touch with your vet if you think your cat has lost weight.

Vomiting and needing the toilet

A single vomit isn’t always an emergency — PDSA notes most cats vomit from time to time. But they advise calling your vet if your cat vomits more than once, seems unwell, or has any other symptoms, and getting urgent advice if vomiting has lasted more than 24 hours, they can’t keep food or water down, or there’s blood or black dots in the vomit.

Problems peeing are taken seriously: PDSA advises contacting your vet ASAP if your cat is having problems peeing — for example visiting the tray far more often, passing only small amounts, straining or crying when peeing, peeing in unusual places, or blood-tinged urine. And if your cat can’t pee at all and seems in pain and distressed, that’s an emergency that could signal a blocked bladder — never wait to see if it improves.

A high temperature

If you suspect a fever, PDSA notes the normal body temperature range for a cat is around 38–39°C, and that a cat with a high temperature may feel hot to touch (especially the feet, ears or face), hide away, not want to eat, shiver, or breathe faster than usual. If you’re concerned, contact your vet.

The bottom line

None of this is meant to alarm you. The message from all these sources is the same and reassuring: a change from your cat’s normal routine is worth a chat with your vet. Cats hide illness, so your awareness of what’s normal for your cat is the most useful tool you have.

Sources

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please contact your vet.

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