Cat health: warning signs, vaccines, checkups and poisons

Subtle signs worth a vet visit

These are not usually emergencies, but they are often the first sign of disease in cats:

• Eating less, or stopping eating. Cornell warns that a cat that refuses food can develop serious medical problems, so do not wait it out.
• Drinking or peeing more than usual (common in kidney disease, diabetes and an overactive thyroid)
• Weight loss or gain, or a change in coat condition or grooming
• Hiding more, sleeping in new places, or being reluctant to jump
• Peeing or pooping outside the litter box
• Bad breath, drooling or dropping food (signs of mouth pain)

Vaccines

The 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines treat these as core vaccines for pet cats:

• Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), usually given together as one combination vaccine
• Rabies, as required by local law
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) for cats under one year old; for older cats it depends on lifestyle and risk

Kittens start the combination vaccine no earlier than 6 weeks of age, repeated every 3 to 4 weeks until 16 to 20 weeks, with a further dose at 6 months. After that, the FPV, FHV-1 and FCV vaccine is typically repeated every 3 years for adult pet cats, while other vaccines vary. Schedules differ between countries and products, so follow your vet's plan. See kitten vaccines.

Parasites

Fleas, ticks and worms are common, even in indoor cats. Use a cat specific product your vet recommends. Never use a dog flea treatment on a cat: many contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can cause twitching, seizures and death. International Cat Care runs a long standing campaign about this.

Common poisons in the home

Cornell lists these among the substances most often involved in cat poisoning calls to the ASPCA:

• Human medicines: pain relievers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen and aspirin, plus cold remedies and antidepressants
• Insecticides, including flea products made for dogs
• Plants: lilies above all, which can cause fatal kidney failure in tiny amounts, plus tulips, foxglove, philodendron and others
• Human foods: onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate and gum with xylitol (see foods to avoid)
• Household products: antifreeze, rodent poison, bleach and other cleaners

Check a specific plant, food or product in our toxic to cats checker.

Common illnesses

• Dental disease. Cornell reports studies finding 50 to 90% of cats over four have some form of dental disease. It can be painful enough to stop a cat eating.
• Lower urinary tract disease. Straining, frequent small pees, blood in the urine or peeing outside the box. In male cats it can lead to a life threatening blockage.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to Cornell, it affects up to 40% of cats over 10 and 80% of cats over 15, and early stages often show no signs, which is why senior blood and urine tests matter. See senior cats.
• Obesity. Cornell calls it the most common nutrition related problem in cats; it raises the risk of arthritis and diabetes. See nutrition.
• Heart disease (HCM). More common in some breeds. See breed health checklist.

Cats and human health

Toxoplasmosis is the infection people most often ask about. Cats shed the parasite in their feces, but the eggs take at least a day to become infectious, so scooping the litter box daily reduces the risk. Pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system should ideally have someone else clean the litter box, or wear gloves and wash their hands afterwards. Living with a cat does not need to end: see myths vs facts.