Symptoms & What They Mean

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Difficulty breathing is always found near the top of lists of health emergencies in cats. There are two reasons for this: First, most of the causes of heavy breathing in cats are quite serious.Second, cats are so good at hiding the fact that they’re sick or injured that by the time their heavy breathing becomes noticeable, they’re often nearing a crisis.Here are a few important things to know...

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Limping is a sign of pain that should never be ignored. But when is your cat walking with a limp considered an emergency, and when should you take a wait-and-see approach? Most cats will do everything in their power to hide the fact that they are in pain, so it’s safe to assume that a limping cat is really hurting. Your veterinarian has a lot to offer, so don’t wait too long to get your cat...

Jessica Vogelsang, DVM

Cats are renowned for their ability to mask pain and discomfort. They do this so well that they could be in excruciating pain without you knowing it, even if you’re the person closest to them. This is a great advantage when cats are out in the wild around predators that look for signs of weakness. It’s a big problem, however, when your cat is ill or hurt but you have no clues to tell you that...

Katie Grzyb, DVM

Cats are typically grazers that eat small amounts throughout their waking hours during the day. Some cats never seem to be satisfied, no matter how much food you give them or how often they are fed. This can happen for many reasons, from simple boredom to concerning medical conditions. 8 Reasons for Increased Appetite in CatsHere are some reasons why your cat may seem like they’re always...

Katie Grzyb, DVM

Domestic cats are descendants of larger felines that did not require much water for everyday living. Cats drink small amounts of water throughout the day, while dogs lap up large amounts at a time. Even though cats don’t drink huge amounts of water, hydration is necessary for the body to survive and to perform vital jobs. That’s why it’s important to note when your cat is drinking less...

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Most cats vomit from time to time, often because they ate something that didn’t agree with them, or they need to get rid of a hairball. If your cat vomits once or twice but seems to be fine otherwise, you can keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t have other symptoms or vomit again. But when there’s blood in your cat’s vomit, taking a “wait and see” approach can be dangerous....