r/catcare • • Jan 29 '21

Does my Cat Need to See a Vet?

160 Upvotes

If you're here wondering whether your cat needs to see a vet right away, here's a few things that call for an immediate vet visit. Please bear in mind that this is far from a comprehensive list, and that if you're seriously wondering if your cat needs a vet, the answer is probably "Yes". Better safe than sorry.

-Unexplained, dramatic behavioral changes. e.g. Hissing and spitting from a cat who has always been friendly

-Not eating for 48 hours is a medical emergency

-Vomiting/diarrhea that lasts more than a day or two

-Swallowed object

-Not urinating/straining to urinate

-Blood in urine

-Open wounds

-Urinating in inappropriate places/outside the box

-Sudden loss of vision or hearing

-Sudden loss of balance

-Sudden inability to walk or move normally

-Seizures / Convulsions

-Open-Mouth breathing / panting

-Uneven pupils

-Hives

LINKS:

Cat Emergencies: Contact Your Veterinarian When Your Cat Shows These Symptoms

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2144&aid=2896

11 Cat Emergencies That Need Immediate Vet Attention

http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/11-cat-health-emergencies-immediate-veterinary-attention-ask-a-vet

Common Emergencies for Adult Cats

http://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/common-emergencies/common-adult-cat-emergencies


r/catcare • • May 07 '26

Rule 6: No AI usage in posts or comments

31 Upvotes

Sorry, but we need to disallow all forms of AI posting and comments. If you have nothing to say, simply saying nothing is far, far better and more useful than resorting to an AI chatbot.


r/catcare • • 7m ago

I used Hartz shampoo without realizing

• Upvotes

I used Hartz gentle hairball shampoo on my cat days ago and she’s been fine since, do I still have something to worry about? What should I do?


r/catcare • • 27m ago

I dont quite know what to do NSFW

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• Upvotes

Hello!! This is my cat Mish, and ive been a bit worried about that odd spot on his belly, I assume that is one of his nipples, but his other nipples arent hairless or colorful. Im just a bit worried so id appreciate your guys thoughts on the matter


r/catcare • • 37m ago

Rescue may have given Kitten revolution when he's already on preventative

• Upvotes

Hi,

I just picked up my cat from being neutered and I'm waiting for a call back. From the paperwork I cannot tell if they gave him revolution or not. The thing is I gave him a dose of topical nexgard on Oct 3. I cannot get ahold of my vet or the rescue (left them a message). I did not know they were going to do the otherwise I would have pointed out that he was already on prevention.

As soon as I get home I'll check if he's greasy at all from the revolution and carefully wipe it off with a damp cloth and dawn.

Anything else I should do I'm freaking out right now!


r/catcare • • 1h ago

Bald patch suddenly on cats ear NSFW

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• Upvotes

Just got home from work and found this bald spot on the back of her ear. We first thought spider bite but we cat see any visible puncture wounds. (The red that you see in person looks more like kinda freakley and just kinda irritated.)

She's an indoor cat with a sibling, she could have gotten in a fight with the other but no other part of her seems rough.

She's acting normal, we'd like to avoid a vet trip so ce WE just went on one for our other cat, but we will do what we must. If anyone has any ideas we'd be more than happy to hear anything.


r/catcare • • 4h ago

Kitty Dandruff

1 Upvotes

I am an adult with about $300 saved in the event this is something more serious but I would like to avoid the vet if possible. I am posting from the US. Vet can be accessed today.

Kitty is about 6 years old, a tad overweight. Definitely spayed haha. She's been licking at her butt more often and I noticed scabs so I immediately bought advantage 2 large cat flea medication the next day to apply to her (i had forgotten it was still warm enough for fleas I know i did this to her). But I've noticed she's still been itching and licking. She has lots of dandruff too which I know is bothering her and she's been bathed before so if anyone has any recommendations for a shampoo / conditioner for a domestic medium-hair that would be awesome as well.

Do not worry I know not to bathe her so close to having ointment applied!


r/catcare • • 4h ago

Urinalysis results

1 Upvotes

Our 1-year-old spayed female cat has been urinating everywhere in the house. She had been using the litterbox well. There is no straining, sometimes she is doing marking behavior and sometimes she just goes a lot in a corner, the couch, or a bed.

I took her in and she had protein and crystals, no bacteria. We have 2 other cats, her brother and a feral. The vet wants her on a prescription diet, but it will be very difficult to prevent the other cats from eating it too.

What could be causing these crystals? She was diagnosed with Corona virus 8 months ago. She has been very healthy, with no colds, no diarrhea, and is eating well. She does catch and eat things outside, mostly moths and lizards. Actually I think she just plays with the lizards, I've never seen her eat one but she does eat the moths.

All was normal except this: UA (cystocentesis): USG 1.052, pH 7.5, protein 2+, crystals 2+ amm mg phos (6-20/hpf)

and Urine Protein 2+
They want her on Gabapentin for pain for 2 weeks.

Is this bad? Is there another treatment besides prescription food? She is also very picky - hope she will eat it.

It is strange to me that if it is caused by her food, that the other two (both neutered males) aren't suffering the same.


r/catcare • • 11h ago

Cyst? NSFW

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2 Upvotes

Hi guys,

Unsure if this is appropriate for this sub, but just wanted a few opinions. My four year old girl had this little cyst/spot a few months ago and we took her to the vet. She explained it was a harmless spot and squeezed/popped it. It went away for a few months but has since come back.
Does anyone have cats that have experienced these little lumps and bumps?

Thank you!


r/catcare • • 12h ago

My 19-year-old cat has mouth cancer. What should I expect going forward?

2 Upvotes

I'm not expecting Reddit to cure him. He's lived a long and happy life, but as it stands, he's got some serious issues. I know posts do better with pictures...but I don't think he's up for it. He's looked better...

He's still hanging out with me. He's still eating and sleeping and pooping and peeing. I don't want to call it while he can still sit on my lap and watch a movie. I got this diagnosis about a month ago. He's on pain meds and they seem to really be working. His hair is a total mess after his mouth cancer, so he needs a professional groomer if I'm going to get rid of the mats.

I'm not asking for a miracle, but I want to know what to do for him.


r/catcare • • 12h ago

Cat suddenly lethargic

1 Upvotes

She was fine last I saw her an hour ago.

Now she just lies in a corner. When I call her name she meows softly but she wouldn't even raise her head.

I live in a very remote area in the Philippines. There are no vets near me. It's 8 PM and the main city is about 6 hours away and the public transport is unavailable tonight.

Anything else I can do? At least make her comfortable for the evening?

‐--------

Hes ok now. He threw up and hes doing better now

Thanks.


r/catcare • • 14h ago

Cat with oral discomfort

1 Upvotes

Seeking advice on my cat with potential dental/jaw issue.

I have a 15 year old female DSH with a history of resorptive lesions.

She had a dental approximately a few weeks ago and had several teeth removed. She’s had teeth removed every couple of years and now has about half left.

I took her in earlier than her usual scheduled dental check because she was pawing at her mouth after she ate. This would go on for about 10-20 after each time she ate, she’d do regular bathing but also be reaching both paws into her mouth and flicking them out, almost like she’s trying to scoop something out. She would also be licking her lips/smacking her mouth a lot while tilting her head to the side, again it really seemed like she wanted to get something out of her mouth. This happens with wet food and with biscuits.

Given her history, I assumed she had lesions again and took her in. They confirmed that was the case and removed some teeth. The behaviour stopped for a few days post while she was still on pain relief, but started again once pain relief stopped.

I took her back and the vet examined her mouth and can’t see any obvious cause. The vet seemed kind of stumped and said it could be a jaw issue, or she may have an infection where a tooth was removed. I asked if she could just be getting food stuck in the gaps where teeth have been removed but the vet didn’t think it was likely.

We trialled buprenorphine again, and again the behaviour stopped while she was on it. But it’s also kind of sedating, she’s less active and I would also stop fidgeting with my mouth if I were mildly sedated.

The vet now wants to do more X-rays to look at her jaw, and I definitely want to make sure she’s not in pain. But I’m always scared of anaesthetising her, she’s old and the past couple of times has taken ages to come out of it.

I feel like if she were in pain, she would show discomfort outside of that period immediately post eating? She doesn’t show any pain when having her mouth touched or jaw manipulated.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this, or seen something similar?


r/catcare • • 15h ago

Vaccination site for cats

1 Upvotes

Hi,

So I got my cat her annual booster shot in the UK today (we've recently moved here so don't have prior experience with this vet). I found it strange that the vet vaccinated her in the scruff instead of at the back/in her leg as her vets outside the UK have done in the past. I've now been reading about injection site sarcomas, and I'm a little stressed as I had no idea that I should question the injection site. My cat is not reactive at all and takes injections without squirming (and the vet didn't ask any of these questions).

Questions for the community:

1) Can others in the UK share if this is standard practice here?

2) Should I be advocating for leg injections for future shots? Is there any risk if the vet isn't experienced with injections anywhere except the scruff?

3) What's the risk of injection site carcinomas? How long do they take to appear and how common are they?

I'm sure I'm overthinking, but would appreciate some inputs so I can at least ask the right questions in the future.


r/catcare • • 16h ago

Enrichment Feeding Tips?

1 Upvotes

Hello,

As the title suggests I'm looking for more enriching ways to feed my cats.

One of them in particular has a high prey drive but as he's moved from kittenhood to adulthood has lost interest in toys. I think they are bored and I struggle to get them to play. We have all sorts of different toys and sometimes the mood will strike and they'll play but most days it's just me throwing cat toys and waving feathers and fishing rod toys and they just look at me like I'm an idiot.

As far as feeding enrichment goes, so far I've tried:

* Lick mats for their wet food, which are fine for both of them

* a few treat puzzles, one flat with moving pieces and one is a ball that deposits the dry food or treats as it rolls (The challenge with the treat puzzles is the older cat is so quick with them and has them all figured out that the younger cat doesn't get a look in. The older cat is slightly overweight and I'm also trying to make things more challenging for him so that he's not eating the majority of the food. 😂)

* leaving little piles of their dry food around the home for them to find

I suppose it's especially for their wet food mealtimes I'm looking for ideas. Also if anyone has any tips for encouraging play beyond catnip/valerian they would be welcomed.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

Cats off feed

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9 Upvotes

My 2 year old cats both suddenly went off their feed last Wednesday, one with some vomiting, the other with some diarrhea. I took one to the vet yesterday for mirtazapine; she was otherwise unremarkable on exam. The other is eating a little better, but I'm giving them all kinds of other food while waiting for their appetites to return to normal, including kitten food.

I need to get them back on their normal wet and dry weight management food, any tips besides mixing them (which I'm doing without success)?


r/catcare • • 1d ago

How acclimate an outdoor cat NSFW

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6 Upvotes

So I just moved into a new town and the neighborhood cat has basically chosen me. He knows my schedule and when i come and go and will wait at my porch door for me. Im wanting to make him my own indoor kitty, BUT he’s really anxious when I bring him in and just cries at the front door to be let outside. When he’s outside, he’s his normal lovable self. Is he just stuck being an outdoor cat? I don’t want anything to happen to him. Added picture is a photo of him the other day when I got in the car for work and he was a little too late for greeting me as I left the house.


r/catcare • • 18h ago

Chlorambucil et grossesse/ bebe

1 Upvotes

Bonjour,

Mon chat doit commencer le chlorambucil demain, je suis enceinte et j’ai un bebe de 9 mois.

La veto dit que je ne dois plus dormir avec elle, pas lui donner de médicaments, pas changer les litières et ne pas la toucher pendant 48h apres la prise.

Je me pose la question lorsque je ne suis pas chez moi si c’est grave qu’elle dorme dans le parc du bébé ? Dans mon lit?

Quelles précautions supplémentaires prendre?


r/catcare • • 23h ago

Is this normal? NSFW

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2 Upvotes

Had this cat(Oreo) for two weeks now. I had to take it in because my grandpa would let it out. I already have a cat (5-6 years old Female tabby cat name Zuzu) I keep one in the dining/living room and the other on the kitchen/bedroom side. We switch them. They don’t get along. We’re working on getting them to be together but zuzu is difficult. Is this from stress?


r/catcare • • 1d ago

Is my cat suffering from Haws syndrome? NSFW

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9 Upvotes

It was normal 2 days ago and suddenly this white membrane started protruding from the corners of its eyes. It can see well and was playing just fine. But since last hour, it has become duller. We had a neighbouring cat which had something similar and was diagnosed with Haws syndrome and my neighbours are saying that my cat will be fine. But I am concerned. Should I take it to the vet(I would have taken it to vet myself but my parents aren't home and the nearest vet is around 2 hours drive away).

Edit: it was Haws Syndrome. Luckily he will get cured soon


r/catcare • • 21h ago

Street/Stray Cat have a mouth issue

1 Upvotes

There is cat near will I live that seems to have problem in her mouth:

She has a hard time eating or trying to eat anything, it always screams in pain & pack away and sometimes she try to get the food out of her mouth with her paws when she in pain, due to pain she barely eat anything & is getting thinner, may I ask what could be the issue.

I tried feeding her softer/soft food instead of hard dry food, but she still feels pain, may I ask what the problem in her mouth could be.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

Inhaling pine litter dust

3 Upvotes

A word of caution regarding pine litter. I was excited to try pine litter for the odor control, got a sifting litterbox, etc. however the sawdust inevitably gets everywhere including into your lungs, so that's urine in your lungs and your cats. Also I don't like the fact that the litterbox is never truly clean.

I switched to a clumping tofu litter and the difference is night and day. No dust whatsoever. My cat likes it more as well.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

My cat has been developing a bald spot

1 Upvotes

My cat, Gideon, is about 7 years old and for the past year hes been developing this bald spot. He can be an anxious cat and used to self soothe a lot with excessive bathing.

About a year and half ago we moved into a new home that is extremely less stressful for him and any detergents I use on my sheets that hes exposed to is for sensitive skin. He hasn't changed behavior, still eats with no problem and goes to the bathroom without issue as well.

The spot has gotten bigger recently in the past couple of months but theres no signs of irritation or sores or anything like that. It goes up his back beside his spine in a line for the most part. The last time I took him to the vet they saw it and did ask questions but never said anything else about it.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

What to do as my cat hasn’t pooped in a few days?

1 Upvotes

Cat details:
- British Short-hair
- 1.5 years
- Male
- Neutered
- ~ 4.5kg
- indoor cat
- North East England

My cat had diarrhoea on Sat/Sunday (today Wednesday), then I don’t believe he’s had had a poo since then. Only cleaned up about one a day (from my other cat), usually 1-2 per cat a day.

I wasn’t worried as I thought they’d eaten something funny and it would pass (has done in the past) - vets are expensive so can’t afford to go when it’s worked itself out before.

He’s urinated no problem, eating his food, has been quite normal - worried that the food he’s ingesting is going nowhere.

How long can I wait? When do we definitely need a vet examination? As there’s no reason I can think why he’s not going, his brother is fine and they eat nearly the same.

Maybe a toy string or similar was eaten, could that cause this one symptom?
Though that was early last week and he was fine until iffy stomach on Sat/Sun.

TIA.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

What kind of litter do you recommend for a female cat that is about to have kittens?

1 Upvotes

Our cat is pregnant and will soon give birth to her kittens; I have a question: what type of litter should we use for the litter box? In the past, we used clumping clay litter, but from what I’ve read, some sources recommend using non-clumping litter, as the former can release too much dust, which could be harmful to newborn kittens.

Now, regarding non-clumping litter, which one do you recommend? Recycled paper pellets, wood pellets, or gravel?

If anyone has had a similar experience, I would appreciate a reply. This litter box is for the mother cat.


r/catcare • • 1d ago

Vestibular recovery time

1 Upvotes

Hello, I have a 7yo Sphynx that was diagnosed with vestibular syndrome caused by inner ear infection. Has anyone dealt with this? How long before your cat recovered some mobility / lost their wobbles? Vet prescribed cerenia, prednosolone, antibiotic and topical antibiotic.