How to Detect Common Signs of Illness in Cats

If you have a cat at home, you should always be on the lookout for signs it is having health problems. Because cats are really good at hiding their pain and discomfort, it's especially important to inspect your cat's body regularly and to pay attention to abnormal behavior. If you spot changes to your cat's behavior or its body, such as bumps under the skin or changes in the cat's appetite, you might have detected an illness and you should get your cat veterinary care.

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Inspecting Your Cat's Body

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Look for problems on your cat's coat. There are a variety of health problems that can show up on your cat's coat. Make sure the cat's coat is shiny and thick, that there are no patches of missing fur, and that your cat is keeping it nice and clean.
- Areas of missing fur could signal injuries, like those created during cat fights, that need veterinary treatment. They could also signal allergies or some other autoimmune or skin problem that also needs veterinary treatment.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If your cat is not keeping its whole coat clean, this could signal loss of mobility or a different illness that is decreasing your cat's energy.
- Check your cat’s coat for signs of parasites like ticks, mites, or fleas. Look for "flea dust," which is the excrement of the flea, or flea eggs when brushing your cat.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Feel the cat's body for lumps or abnormalities. Along with looking at the cat's coat, you should feel the cat's body for injuries or abnormal growths at least once a month. This is one way you can detect internal growths, such as cancers, or painful injuries for the cat.^{[3]XResearch source}
- You can do this while you are spending quality time with the cat, for instance when you are petting it on your lap.
- If the cat responds in pain when you are feeling its body, then you know that it has an injury that needs further investigation. For instance, if the cat growls or pulls away when you touch a certain area, there may be an injury.
- Don’t forget to check for bumps and lumps in areas like the chin, throat, armpits, groin, and under the tail.
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Inspect the cat's teeth. Looking in your cat's mouth will allow you to spot any problems with their teeth, gums, or tongue before they get very serious. Look for discoloration or injuries that could signal a problem, such as pale gums.
- If can be difficult to look in your cat's mouth. You may need have someone help you restrain the cat still while you open the cat's mouth and look inside.
- While looking in your cat's mouth, make sure that its breath is normal as well. Smelly breath can signal dental problems, such as periodontal disease, or a systemic illness, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
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Listen to your cat's breathing. If you listen to your cat's breathing on a regular basis you will be able to tell when it changes. For instance, when the cat has a respiratory infection, its breathing will likely sound moist and wheezy. If it has asthma, it will have difficulty breathing, have wheezy breaths, or coughing.
- If a cat is on your lap and the room is quiet, you should be able to hear its breathing even when it is healthy. Listening to this calm, healthy breathing on a regular basis will help you to spot when the cat's breathing changes.
- A cat should breathe through its nose with its mouth closed. If your cat is breathing through its mouth or panting, bring it to the vet as soon as possible so it can be evaluated for respiratory distress and/or other issues.
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Paying Attention to Abnormal Behavior

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Look for vomiting and stomach upset. One of the most common signs of illness in cats is vomiting. This could signal some sort of short-lived gastrointestinal distress or a much more serious illness, such as cancer.
- If your cat is repeatedly vomiting, you should have it checked out by a veterinarian.
- Note the consistency and texture of the vomit, such as if it’s mostly food or bile, so you can relay this info to your vet.
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Pay attention to changes in appetite. A cat that is sick may eat less food and drink less water. This could be due to nausea or simply lack of energy. For instance, one of the first signs of cancer can be lack of appetite. Changes in appetite or water consumption signal that something is wrong with a cat's health and you should take the cat to be seen by a veterinarian.
- There are also some illnesses, such as kidney disease, that cause a cat to drink more water than normal. Pay attention to this as well.
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Make sure the cat is going to the bathroom normally. Whether your cat has diarrhea, is urinating profusely, or is not relieving itself at all, problems going to the bathroom can signal that something is wrong with the health of the cat. The best way to keep track of this is by looking in the cat's litter box.
- When you are cleaning out your cat's litter box, you should assess whether your cat is relieving itself normally.
- If your cat suddenly starts relieving itself in places other than the litter box, as this behavioral change could be a sign of a more serious issue.
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Notice changes in attitude. Changes in behavior and attitude can signal a health problem with your cat. Whether the cat is more shy than usual, irritable, jumpy, or aggressive, all of these behaviors can signal that something is wrong with the cat. For example, painful conditions, such as arthritis or dental problems, can change your cat's personality completely.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Changes in attitude and behavior can also be caused by stress or changes in the cat’s life. If you have recently moved or brought another pet into the house, for instance, that may be causing the changes in behavior.
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