Why is my cat not eating?
A cat’s refusal to eat, known as anorexia, is a significant clinical concern that requires prompt attention. Unlike dogs, cats can develop life-threatening complications, such as hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), if they go without food for even a short period of time, as their metabolic systems are not designed for fasting.
When to be concerned
While an occasional missed meal may happen, a cat that refuses to eat for 24 hours should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Inappetence is often a non-specific symptom of underlying issues, ranging from painful dental disease and oral infections to complex gastrointestinal upset or systemic metabolic diseases like chronic kidney disease.
Potential causes
• Dental Disease: Inflamed gums or infected teeth can make eating physically uncomfortable and painful.
• Kidney Disease: As kidney function declines, the buildup of uremic toxins in the bloodstream can lead to chronic nausea, which significantly dampens the appetite.
• Gastrointestinal Distress: Inflammation, foreign body ingestion, or blockages can cause sudden, painful refusal of food.
• Stress or Environmental Changes: Cats are highly sensitive to changes in their routine, environment, or social structure, which can manifest as digestive upset or self-imposed fasting.
Next steps
If your cat is not eating, monitor them closely for other signs such as lethargy, vomiting, hiding, or behavioral changes. Because of how quickly a cat’s health can deteriorate when they stop eating, please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Why is my cat vomiting?
Vomiting in cats is a common occurrence that owners often dismiss as a “hairball” or a simple dietary mistake, but frequent or persistent vomiting is not normal and warrants a professional investigation.
Why it happens
Vomiting can be caused by simple dietary indiscretion, parasites, or more serious chronic conditions. In patients with conditions like chronic kidney disease, vomiting is a common clinical sign of advanced uremia—the body’s way of signaling that toxins are building up in the bloodstream faster than the kidneys can remove them.
When to seek care
Chronic or frequent vomiting can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. You should contact us if:
• Your cat vomits multiple times in one day or over several consecutive days.
• There is visible blood (bright red or dark ‘coffee ground’ appearance) in the vomit.
• The vomiting is accompanied by other signs like extreme lethargy, sudden weight loss, or increased thirst.
How we help
We will perform a comprehensive physical exam and potentially blood work to check organ function, electrolyte levels, and red blood cell counts. If your cat is suffering from chronic nausea, we have effective clinical tools like Cerenia to prevent vomiting and improve their comfort. Above all, please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Why is my cat sneezing?
Sneezing is typically a sign of irritation or inflammation in the upper nasal passages. While an occasional sneeze might be caused by a stray dust particle, persistent sneezing in cats often points to underlying health issues that require medical attention.
Common causes
• Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs): These are common viral or bacterial infections that cause significant inflammation, congestion, and nasal discharge.
• Allergies or Environmental Irritants: Dust, strong fragrances, cleaning chemicals, smoke, or seasonal pollens can trigger an allergic response and sneezing.
• Dental Issues: Because of the close anatomy of a cat’s skull, infections in the roots of the upper teeth can sometimes extend into the nasal passages, causing chronic congestion and sneezing.
When to see a vet
If your cat is sneezing frequently, has visible discharge from the eyes or nose (especially if it is thick, yellow, or green), or seems lethargic, please schedule an appointment. Chronic or recurring sneezing needs a professional evaluation to ensure it isn’t a persistent infection that requires treatment. Please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
My cat is peeing outside the litter box
Inappropriate urination is one of the most common reasons cats are presented for veterinary care. It is vital to determine if this is a behavioral issue (such as a dirty litter box or environmental stress) or a serious medical emergency.
The “Medical First” rule
Never assume your cat is being “spiteful” or acting out of spite. Cats often associate the litter box with the intense pain they feel while urinating if they are suffering from bladder stones, inflammation (cystitis), infection, or kidney disease.
What to watch for
• Frequency: Is your cat visiting the box more often than usual, but producing very little?
• Discomfort: Does the cat seem to strain, cry, or meow while attempting to urinate?
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These, along with other lower urinary tract diseases, are particularly common in cats and require a urinalysis for diagnosis.
Action plan
If you notice this behavior, please do not wait to see if it resolves. We need to rule out life-threatening urinary blockages or infections through a physical exam and urinalysis. Please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
My cat is straining to urinate
This is a critical medical emergency. If your cat is in the litter box straining, crying, meowing loudly, or producing little to no urine, they must be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Why it is urgent
A blocked urethra—often caused by crystals, plugs, or stones—is a life-threatening condition that occurs most frequently in male cats. If the bladder cannot empty, toxins back up into the bloodstream rapidly, which can lead to life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, heart failure, and death within 24 to 48 hours. Please do not wait to see if it “gets better.” If you notice these symptoms, bring your cat to our clinic or the nearest emergency facility right away, as please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
My cat has diarrhea
Diarrhea in cats can be caused by a wide range of factors, from a simple, temporary change in diet to more serious issues like internal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, or organ system dysfunction.
Assessing the situation
Observe the duration, frequency, and consistency of the stool. If the diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, contains visible blood or mucus, or if your cat is acting lethargic, it is time for a professional exam. Because dehydration can happen very quickly in cats—especially those with pre-existing conditions like kidney disease—maintaining proper hydration and gut health is a top priority. Please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Why is my cat drinking so much water?
Increased thirst, clinically known as polydipsia, is one of the most important clinical signs to monitor in feline medicine, as it is often the first indicator of metabolic illness.
The link to organ health
If you notice your cat is drinking significantly more water and urinating more frequently, it is often a key indicator that their kidney function needs to be evaluated. As chronic kidney disease progresses, the kidneys lose the ability to concentrate urine, leading to excessive fluid loss; the cat then drinks more water to compensate for this loss.
Why early detection matters
While chronic conditions like kidney disease are progressive, catching them early allows us to implement dietary changes and medical monitoring plans that can dramatically improve your cat’s quality of life. Please schedule an exam so we can perform blood work and blood pressure screening. Please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Why is my cat losing weight?
Weight loss is a “silent” symptom that often precedes other obvious signs of illness in cats, making it a critical warning sign that should never be ignored.
Common concerns
Unexplained weight loss is a hallmark of many geriatric conditions, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In the case of kidney disease, weight loss can occur gradually, often alongside subtle changes in appetite and hydration that may go unnoticed until the cat is significantly underweight.
Monitoring at home
We highly recommend that all owners of older cats keep a consistent log of their cat’s weight. Using a reasonably priced digital baby scale, you can track your cat’s weight weekly. Even a small downward trend can be an important diagnostic clue. If you notice a weight loss trend, please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Why is my cat limping?
Limping is a clear indicator that your cat is experiencing pain or has suffered an injury. Even if your cat is still eating and acting “normal” otherwise, they are likely masking significant discomfort, as cats are experts at hiding signs of pain.
Potential causes
• Trauma: Soft tissue sprains, muscle strains, or fractures resulting from jumping or falling.
• Arthritis: Degenerative joint disease is extremely common in aging cats and can cause stiffness and limping, especially after rest.
• Wounds: Abscesses from small, often unnoticed bites or puncture wounds can cause significant inflammation, swelling, and localized pain.
Next steps
Because cats are masters at hiding pain, a limp is a clear sign that they need a professional physical exam to identify the source of the injury. We can assess the mobility issue and provide appropriate pain management to restore their quality of life. Please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.
Does my cat need emergency care?
If you are ever in doubt, it is always safer to have your pet evaluated, as early intervention often results in a better prognosis. You should seek immediate emergency care if you observe any of the following:
• Straining to urinate or the complete inability to pass urine.
• Difficulty breathing, gasping, or open-mouth breathing.
• Total refusal to eat for 24 hours.
• Sudden collapse, weakness, or an inability to walk.
• Persistent, forceful vomiting or significant amounts of blood in stool or vomit.
If you are a client of Cascade Heights, please contact us immediately if you suspect an emergency. We are here to help manage your cat’s health through every stage of their life, so please take your cat to the vet if there is any concern.