Cats are hardwired to hide illness — it's a survival instinct from their wild ancestors. By the time your cat looks obviously sick, the problem may have been brewing for days. Here are the warning signs every cat owner should know.
1. Hiding More Than Usual
A cat that suddenly retreats under the bed or into closets is often in pain or distress. This is one of the earliest and most overlooked signs.
2. Changes in Litter Box Habits
Straining to urinate, blood in urine, or going outside the box are red flags — especially in male cats, where urinary blockages can be life-threatening within hours.
3. Loss of Appetite
A cat that skips more than 24 hours of meals needs attention. Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) can develop quickly in cats who stop eating.
4. Sudden Weight Loss
If you can feel your cat's spine or ribs more than usual, that's a sign worth investigating — even if their appetite seems normal.
5. Vomiting More Than Once a Week
Occasional hairballs happen. Frequent vomiting does not.
6. Labored or Open-Mouth Breathing
Cats should never breathe through their mouths unless extremely overheated. If you see this, go to an emergency vet immediately.
7. Drooling Excessively
Unlike dogs, cats don't typically drool. Sudden drooling can indicate dental disease, nausea, or toxin ingestion.
8. Dull or Matted Coat
Healthy cats groom constantly. A cat that stops grooming is often in pain, stressed, or ill.
9. Behavioral Changes
Aggression in a normally calm cat, or sudden clinginess in an aloof cat, can signal pain or neurological issues.
10. Third Eyelid Showing
If you can see the pale membrane in the corner of your cat's eye, it's a classic sign something is off.
What to Do
If your cat shows any of these signs, don't wait. Contact your vet or an emergency animal clinic. In Kern County, the Bakersfield SPCA and local emergency vets can help.
If you adopted from Stray Paws Society and need guidance, reach out to us — we're here even after adoption day.