AI overview
Informational only - not a veterinary diagnosis. For urgent signs, contact a vet immediately.
Ask about a symptom, behavior, or care question. We'll give you an AI overview and link the closest expert-reviewed guides.
Informational only - not a veterinary diagnosis. For urgent signs, contact a vet immediately.
Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming, so a dull, greasy, flaky, or matted coat is almost always a signal that something is stopping normal grooming - most commonly dental pain, arthritis, obesity, hyperthyroidism, or kidney disease. A cat that stops grooming for more than a week, especially if paired with weight loss or increased thirst, warrants a vet visit and baseline bloodwork.
Most sudden limps in cats come from a soft tissue strain, a cat bite abscess, or a torn claw, and the commonest of those in an outdoor cat is an infected bite that swells two to four days after a fight. A mild limp with normal eating and normal behaviour can be watched at home for 24 to 48 hours on strict rest. Get seen the same day if the leg hangs or looks the wrong shape, if there is a wound, heat, or swelling, if your cat will not put any weight on it, or if both back legs are weak, cold, or painful, because that pattern is an arterial clot and it is an emergency.
The vast majority of eye discharge and squinting in cats is caused by feline herpesvirus, chlamydia-driven conjunctivitis, or a corneal scratch - especially in kittens and multi-cat households. A cat that is holding an eye shut, has a visibly cloudy cornea, or has a swollen third eyelid needs a vet within 24 hours because feline corneal ulcers deteriorate fast.
Halitosis in cats is most often caused by periodontal disease or feline tooth resorption - a painful condition unique to cats where the tooth structure erodes at the gum line. Sweet or acetone breath can indicate diabetes, ammonia-like breath can indicate kidney disease, and a cat over 10 with sudden bad breath and drooling needs a vet exam this week to rule out oral tumors.
A male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine coming out is an emergency this hour, not tomorrow. A blocked urethra stops urine leaving the body, and potassium and waste build up fast enough to damage the kidneys and stop the heart within about 24 to 48 hours. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat squats repeatedly, cries in the tray, licks the penis constantly, or vomits and hides. It is often mistaken for constipation, so say the word blocked when you call.
Open PetLumen, add your pet, and Ask PetLumen for a threaded conversation tied to your pet's scan history.
Open the app →