Emergency — minutes matter

These patterns need a vet today, not tomorrow. If your cat fits one of these, call your nearest emergency clinic now.

Emergency Straining in the litter box Especially male cats. Can be a urethral obstruction — life-threatening within hours. Emergency Ate a lily or toxic plant Lilies cause acute kidney failure in cats. Even a small lick of pollen is a vet visit. Emergency Breathing fast while sleeping Resting respiratory rate >30 breaths/min can indicate fluid in the lungs. Emergency Pale, white, or blue gums Gum colour is one of the fastest signals of shock, anemia, or oxygen problems.

Digestive & appetite

The most common reasons cats see a vet — and the patterns that separate "monitor at home" from "go now."

Urgent Vomiting How to tell occasional hairball from something more serious. Urgent Not eating Cats who skip more than 24 hours need attention — fatty liver risk is real. Urgent Losing weight Quiet weight loss is often the first sign of treatable disease.

Litter box & urinary

The litter box is the most underrated diagnostic tool in feline health.

Urgent Changed litter-box habits Going more, going less, going outside the box — what the patterns mean. Emergency Straining to urinate A male cat straining is an emergency. A female cat straining is still urgent.

Respiratory & eyes

Overlapping anatomy means these symptoms often cluster — the decision tree for URI vs something worse.

Monitor Sneezing When sneezing means a mild URI, and when it points to something deeper. Monitor Eye discharge Clear, yellow, green, or crusty — each colour means something different. Emergency Breathing fast Count breaths while she sleeps — over 30/min in a relaxed cat is concerning.

Pain & mobility

Cats hide pain. These are the patterns owners notice without realising they are signals.

Urgent Hiding pain (face changes) The Feline Grimace Scale — five facial signals vets use to score pain. Urgent Not jumping like she used to Reduced jumping is often arthritis, but not always. What else to check. Urgent Grooming less / rough coat A dull coat reflects movement, comfort, and energy — not just hygiene.

General wellness

Cats mask weakness. These full-body signals often appear before any organ-specific sign.

Urgent Hiding more than usual A cat who suddenly hides is often telling you something. Urgent Lethargic / less active Sleeping more is normal at any age. Slower in motion is not. Monitor Meowing more than usual Sudden vocal changes — what each pattern can mean.

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Editorial note: This page routes you to educational content reviewed against feline veterinary sources (Merck Veterinary Manual, AAFP, ISFM, Cornell Feline Health Center). It is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. In a medical emergency, contact a licensed veterinarian immediately.