Symptoms
What this section covers
Sixteen entries start with what you actually observe. Read warnings first, then record onset, differences from the usual pattern, and accompanying changes.
Key takeaways
- A warning is not a diagnosis, and a list of possible causes cannot rule out illness.
- Link grooming with skin observations, and calling with timing and routine changes.
- Chinese pages include downloadable observation worksheets. They give no diagnosis or score.
When to see a vet
Contact a clinic first for breathing difficulty, trouble urinating, collapse or suspected poisoning. Report absent or markedly reduced food intake promptly. Do not wait for fixed counts, hours or a completed form.
Pages list citations and further checking material; institutional homepages provide background and do not substantiate every specific statement. AI assists preparation. See About.
Has your cat been peeing outside the litter box lately?
Litter box issues
Is your cat meowing more, or more intensely, than usual?
Unusual vocalizing
Has your cat suddenly started biting or scratching people?
Aggression
Is your cat licking so much that fur is falling out or skin is broken?
Overgrooming
Has your cat suddenly stopped eating, or started eating a lot more?
Appetite changes
Has your cat become unusually sleepy, or restless and unsettled?
Sudden activity change
Is your cat suddenly hiding a lot and ignoring you?
Hiding / social withdrawal
Has your cat started scratching or chewing furniture?
Destructive behavior
Has your cat been vomiting more often?
Vomiting / GI issues
Does your senior cat seem lost or cry out at night?
Cognitive confusion
Has your cat suddenly become very clingy, or unusually distant?
Change in bonding behavior
Is your cat limping, or avoiding putting weight on a paw?
Limping / gait changes
Does your cat have ongoing discharge from the eyes or nose?
Eye / nose discharge
Does your cat have bald patches, a rash, or scabs on the skin?
Skin / coat abnormalities
Has your cat's breath gotten worse, or is it drooling a lot?
Bad breath / drooling
Has your cat's breathing become fast and labored?
Rapid / labored breathing