Jaundice in Cats: What It Is and How To Help Your Pet

Jaundice in cats is a yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, including the gums and tissues lining the eyelids. 

Seeing your cat with discolored skin can be quite concerning, especially since jaundice can be a sign of many different conditions—some of which are serious. 

If you notice any yellowing on your cat’s skin or eyes, schedule a vet visit right away. Cats with vomiting, weakness, poor appetite, or rapid decline should be seen immediately at an emergency hospital. 

What Is Jaundice in Cats?

Jaundice in cats is not a disease in itself; it’s a symptom of an underlying condition. Jaundice is a sign of a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow-pigmented by-product of red blood cell breakdown, in the blood.

There are three main categories of jaundice in cats: 

• Pre-hepatic (before the liver) jaundice. Faster-than-normal red blood cell turnover overwhelms the liver’s ability to process bilirubin. 

• Hepatic (within the liver) jaundice. Inflammation (swelling) or damage to the liver makes it unable to process bilirubin normally. 

• Post-hepatic (after the liver) jaundice. A bile duct blockage prevents bilirubin from being removed, allowing it to build up in the body. 

Some conditions that cause jaundice can be life-threatening, so you should get quick veterinary care if you notice this abnormality.  

If your family veterinarian cannot see your cat within a few days, or if your cat is vomiting, hasn’t eaten in more than 24 hours, looks pale, or acts weak or lethargic, bring them to a nearby emergency vet hospital right away.

To determine whether your cat is pale, you can check their gums or the lining of their eyelids, which should normally be pink. However, yellow discoloration can make it difficult to assess their true color.  

Symptoms of Jaundice in Cats

Jaundice in cats always signals an underlying health problem. You can tell your cat has jaundice if you notice a yellow color to the skin, gums, ears, or whites of the eyes.  

Other symptoms vary widely depending on the underlying cause and may include: 

• Vomiting 

• Diarrhea 

• Poor appetite 

• Weight loss 

• Lethargy 

• Fever 

• Abdominal pain 

• Changes in urine or stool color 

Causes of Jaundice in Cats

Jaundice has many potential causes, and all cats—of any age, size, or breed—are at risk. Causes may include: 

Some of them include: 

• Feline infectious anemia 

• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) 

• Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) 

• Chronic hepatitis  

• Bile duct inflammation  

• Gallstones 

• Pancreatitis 

• Inflammatory bowel disease 

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ingestion 

• Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, such as feline leukemia (FeLV) or feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) 

• Cancer 

Because the range of conditions causing jaundice in cats is so broad, all cats are at risk.  

However, some cats may be more likely to get certain conditions.  

For example, an overweight cat who suddenly stops eating is more likely to develop hepatic lipidosis—when the liver can’t process body fat mobilized for energy use—than other cats. 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Jaundice in Cats

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam and confirmation of elevated bilirubin on blood tests. Because jaundice can stem from many causes, your vet will gather information about: 

• Diet 

• Indoor/outdoor status 

• Medication or toxin exposure 

• Recent illness or stress 

• Appetite and behavioral changes 

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC): Evaluates red and white blood cells to check for anemia or abnormal cell numbers that could show a toxin, infection, or parasite 

• Blood chemistry: Measures liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and other substances that show organ and hormonal functions 

• Urinalysis: Measures bilirubin in the urine and helps rule out urinary tract issues 

• Coagulation testing: Checks the speed of blood clotting, which may be slowed in liver disease 

• Feline leukemia and FIV testing: Checks for chronic viruses that can contribute to immune problems, infections, or liver dysfunction 

• Abdominal X-rays: Reveal changes in liver size or shape and can sometimes show gallstones or abnormal fluid buildup 

• Abdominal ultrasound: A more sensitive imaging test than X-rays to see the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts in detail 

• Liver biopsy or fine needle aspirate: Needle sampling of liver tissue, which may use ultrasound for guidance 

Treatment of Jaundice in Cats

Treatment for jaundice in cats focuses on the underlying cause. Cats who are sick may be hospitalized until their condition is stable, while others may be treated with medications or supplements at home.  

Treatment almost always includes supportive care with intravenous (IV) fluids and nutritional support.  

Cats who refuse to eat may need a feeding tube placed through the skin and into the esophagus to help you provide them with food and medications.  

Treatment may also involve: 

• Anti-nausea medications to help with appetite 

• Pain medications to control discomfort 

• Antibiotics to fight bacterial infections 

• Steroids or immunosuppressive drugs to control immune-mediated diseases 

• Blood transfusions to restore red blood cell counts 

• Surgery to remove a bile duct blockage 

Your veterinarian may also prescribe liver-protectant medications or supplements—such as ursodiol, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), or milk thistle—to help the liver recover faster.  

Ask your veterinarian if these products could help your cat: 

Recovery and Management of Jaundice in Cats

Many cats recover from the condition causing their jaundice within a few weeks or months of starting treatment.  

Unfortunately, some cats with severe disease may not recover. Finding the cause of your cat’s problem and getting treatment right away can increase the odds of a positive outcome.  

Once your cat returns home from initial hospital care, you’ll need to provide them with medications through a syringe (like these Oral Dispensing Syringes with Tip Cap), high-quality nutrition (such as Hill’s Prescription Urgent Care), and a stress-free environment to help recovery.  

Your veterinarian may recommend periodic check-ins for blood work or to change bandages if a feeding tube was placed. 

Prevention of Jaundice in Cats

Preventing jaundice in cats can be challenging, because many of the conditions that cause it are beyond a pet parent’s control.  

However, you can reduce the likelihood of illnesses that cause jaundice in cats by: 

• Feeding a high-quality, veterinarian-recommended food 

• Alerting your veterinary team right away if your cat stops eating 

• Scheduling routine veterinary checkups and blood panels 

• Not giving human medications to cats, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol) 

• Keeping your cat safely indoors to minimize the risk of infections or parasites