How can I tell if my cat is sick?

Direct answer: Look for changes from your cat’s normal eating, drinking, toileting, grooming, movement, breathing, sleep and social behaviour. Difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, suspected poisoning or inability to urinate can be emergencies and should not wait for online analysis.

Watch for changes from normal

• Eating less or more, weight loss, swallowing difficulty or repeated vomiting.
• Drinking or urinating more, straining, producing little urine or toileting outside the tray.
• Hiding, irritability, unusual vocalisation, low energy or reduced social contact.
• Poor grooming, overgrooming, coat or skin changes.
• Stiffness, altered jumping, weakness, balance changes or a hunched posture.
• Eye or nose discharge, coughing or changed breathing.

A single clue may have many causes. A pattern and timeline help your veterinarian.

Some signs should not wait

Make the veterinary call more useful

Note when the change began, food and water intake, urine and stool, medications and possible exposures. A short natural video can show breathing, movement or an episode that does not happen in the clinic. Do not delay care to obtain footage and never provoke a symptom.

What CatMind AI can — and cannot — do

CatMind AI may help you organise observable behaviour and notice context. It cannot examine your cat, diagnose disease or rule out pain. If you are wondering whether your cat is sick, a veterinarian is the right next step.