6 Most Common Cat Health Problems

Cats are good at self-care, but even your finicky feline can't prevent some of the more common cat diseases and health issues. To help you care for kitty, here's a brief outline of six of the most common cat health problems.

Common Cat Health Problem: 

1. Vomiting

   Vomiting is a very common cat health problem, with causes ranging from eating something poisonous or inedible (like string, wool), to infection, urinary tract disease, or diabetes.

   Symptoms are usually obvious, and include drooling and abdominal heaving. Vomiting can quickly leave your cat dehydrated, so if kitty continues vomiting or acts ill, call your vet right away. Since it is hard for a pet owner to tell the difference between vomiting and regurgitation, collect a sample of your cat's vomit and take it with you to the vet.

2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

   About 10% of cats brought to the vet have feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is actually a group of feline diseases with multiple causes.

   Female and male cats can get FLUTD, and it often occurs in cats that are overweight, unfit, or who eat dry food. Stress, a multi-cat household, and sudden changes can all raise a cat's risk of FLUTD, and treatment depends on the type of FLUTD your cat has. FLUTD symptoms include:

   • Straining to urinate
   • Bloody urine
   • Urinating in unusual places
   • Crying when urinating
   • Licking around the urinary area (often because of pain)
   • Depression
   • Dehydration
   • Lack of appetite
   • Vomiting
     
     It's always an emergency if your cat can't urinate. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has a urinary tract problem.
3. Fleas

   Fleas are a very common external feline health problem, but one that can easily be treated. Signs your cat has fleas include:

   • Flea dirt on their skin (they look like tiny black dots)
   • Constant scratching
   • Frequent licking
   • Red or irritated skin
   • Hair loss
   • Skin infections or hot spots
     

     
     Fleas can live for more than a year, and your pet risks anemia if the problem becomes serious, so make sure to treat your cat's flea problem and prevent future infestations.
     
     

     Talk to your vet about which flea control would be best for your cat. Treatments include oral medication, powders, foams, and topical medication.

4. Tapeworms

   One of the most common feline health problems inside your cat, tapeworms, live in your kitty's small intestine, sometimes growing as long as two feet.

   Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be subtle, but may include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its feces and around its anus. If you see small white worms, or what look like grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat likely has tapeworms.

   Treatment options include injection or oral medication, but because cats almost always get tapeworms as a result of swallowing a flea, make sure to handle any flea problems your cat has before tackling tapeworms.

5. Diarrhoea

   Many things can cause diarrhoea in cats, including hairballs, eating spoiled food, allergies, infection, liver disease, cancer and more.

   Symptoms of diarrhoea are loose, watery, or liquid stool. Depending on its cause, diarrhoea can last for a day, a week, or even months.

   If your cat has diarrhoea, offer your pet plenty of fresh, clean water to prevent dehydration, then remove kitty's food for no more than 12-24 hours. Take your cat to the vet if he or she still has diarrhoea after a day, or immediately if you notice vomiting, dark, or bloody stools, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or if you cat is straining to defecate.

6. Eye Problems

   Eye problems in cats can be caused by a number of things, including cataracts, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, trauma, viruses, inflammation, and retinal disease.

   A few symptoms that may mean your cat has eye problems include watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, red or white eyelid linings, goo in the corners of the eye, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a visible third eyelid.

   Unless you know what's causing your cat's eye problems, there isn't much you can do other than wipe away any gunk with a damp cotton ball. After that, call your vet.