← Cat encyclopediaSYMPTOMS & WARNING SIGNS · 156 GUIDES
Find any cat answer A–Z.
Search the full encyclopedia, choose a topic for a guided starting point or jump to a letter when you already know what you need.
COMMON REASONS PEOPLE VISIT
Jump straight to a useful answer
These direct links connect urgent observations, everyday care and popular cat questions to the most focused guide.
BREATHINGCat symptom guide: Difficulty breathingRead guide →NOT EATINGMy cat is not eating: when to call a vetRead guide →LITTER-BOX STRAININGStraining in the litter box: urine or stool?Read guide →ONION & GARLICCan cats eat onion or garlic?Read guide →PETTING BITESWhy a cat bites during pettingRead guide →FIRST WEEKYour kitten’s first week at homeRead guide →OLDER CAT AT NIGHTWhy an older cat may call at nightRead guide →OPEN WINDOWSHow to make open windows safer for catsRead guide →TOOTH BRUSHINGHow to introduce tooth brushing to a catRead guide →TAIL LANGUAGEWhat your cat’s tail may be sayingRead guide →CARRIER TRAININGMake the cat carrier less frighteningRead guide →MICROCHIPPINGMicrochipping your cat—and keeping it usefulRead guide →
BROWSE BY NEED
Start with a topic
These curated libraries are easier when your question is broad. The alphabetical index below is best for a specific word or phrase.
01Can cats eat...?139 guides→02Symptoms & warning signs156 guides→03Body language48 guides→04Kitten library33 guides→05Senior library31 guides→06Indoor cats & enrichment65 guides→07Everyday care142 guides→08Cat breed library214 guides→09Adoption & introductions28 guides→10Travel & moving40 guides→11Plants & home safety119 guides→12Body, senses & history54 guides→13Cat behaviour library212 guides→14Bonding & training28 guides→15Cat facts & myths25 guides→
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Symptoms & warning signs from A to Z
Titles are grouped by their first letter. Each entry shows its subject and estimated reading time.
Showing 156 symptoms & warning signs guides.
Prefer a guided starting point? Explore the symptoms & warning signs library →
A10
HealthA beginner’s guide to cat dental care8 min →Health & symptomsA broken tooth in a cat is not just cosmetic14–16 min →Health & symptomsA cloudy eye in a cat needs attention14–16 min →Symptoms & safetyA limping cat is a painful cat8 min →Health & symptomsA pot-bellied appearance in cats and kittens14–16 min →Health & symptomsA sore that will not heal on a cat14–16 min →Health & symptomsA sudden change in cat urine odor14–16 min →Health & symptomsA sudden head tilt in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsA swollen or distended abdomen in cats14–16 min →HealthAre dry cat paw pads normal?8 min →
Back to A–Z ↑B5
Health & symptomsBlack, tarry stool in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsBlood in a cat’s stool14–16 min →Health & symptomsBlood in a cat’s urine14–16 min →Health & symptomsBlood in a cat’s vomit14–16 min →Health & symptomsBurns in cats: immediate first aid14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑C22
HealthCan cats get hiccups after eating?8 min →Health & symptomsCan you tell if a cat has a fever?14–16 min →Health & symptomsCat bite wounds and abscesses14–16 min →Health & symptomsCat chin acne: blackheads, swelling and infection14–16 min →Symptoms & safetyCat diarrhea: hydration, hygiene and red flags8 min →HealthCat ear discharge: what colour and smell can tell you8 min →Symptoms & warning signsCat leaking urine while asleep8 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: A seizure6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Collapse or severe weakness6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Diarrhea6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Difficulty breathing6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Eye injury or sudden squinting6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Hiding more than usual6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Limping6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Pale, white or blue gums6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Repeated vomiting6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Sudden weight loss6 min →Symptoms & safetyCat symptom guide: Suspected poisoning6 min →HealthCat twitching in sleep: dreaming or something more?8 min →Symptoms & safetyCat vomiting: one episode or a bigger concern?8 min →Symptoms & safetyConstipation in cats: signs, causes and safe action8 min →Symptoms & safetyCoughing or a hairball? How to tell the difference8 min →
Back to A–Z ↑D3
Health & symptomsDandruff and flaky skin in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsDehydration in cats: signs you can observe14–16 min →HealthDo senior cats sleep more deeply?8 min →
Back to A–Z ↑E2
Health & symptomsEar discharge or odor in cats14–16 min →Symptoms & safetyEye discharge and squinting: what to do8 min →
Back to A–Z ↑F6
Symptoms & safetyFast breathing at rest: count it correctly8 min →Health & symptomsFecal incontinence in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsFirst steps for an open wound on a cat14–16 min →Health & symptomsFleas on cats: signs, treatment and the home14–16 min →Health & symptomsFrequent head shaking in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsFrequent small urinations in cats14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑G1
Back to A–Z ↑H5
HealthHairballs: common, but not always harmless6 min →Symptoms & safetyHeart disease in cats: understanding HCM8 min →HealthHelp an overweight cat lose weight safely9 min →Symptoms & safetyHigh blood pressure in cats: the signs can be silent8 min →HealthHow quickly should a cat’s pupils change with light?8 min →
Back to A–Z ↑I3
Health & symptomsI found a tick on my cat14–16 min →Health & symptomsInsect stings and sudden facial swelling in cats14–16 min →Cat healthIs It Normal for a Cat Whisker to Fall Out?9 min →
Back to A–Z ↑L3
Health & symptomsLethargy in cats: more than just a sleepy day14–16 min →Symptoms & safetyLosing weight despite eating: why it matters8 min →Health & symptomsLow body temperature in cats14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑M5
Health & symptomsMouth ulcers in cats: what owners may notice14–16 min →Health & symptomsMucus in a cat’s stool14–16 min →Health & symptomsMuscle loss in cats: what owners often miss14–16 min →Health & symptomsMy cat ate string: what to do14–16 min →Symptoms & safetyMy cat is not eating: when to call a vet9 min →
Back to A–Z ↑N3
Health & symptomsNew lumps or enlarged areas in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsNoisy breathing in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsNosebleeds in cats: first steps and red flags14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑O1
Back to A–Z ↑R3
Health & symptomsRed or swollen gums in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsRegurgitation in cats: how it differs from vomiting14–16 min →Health & symptomsRingworm in cats: what it looks like and why testing matters14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑S4
Symptoms & safetySneezing and nasal discharge in cats8 min →Symptoms & safetyStraining in the litter box: urine or stool?8 min →Health & symptomsSudden blindness in cats14–16 min →Health & symptomsSuspected snakebite in a cat14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑T1
Back to A–Z ↑U2
Health & symptomsUnequal pupils in cats: when anisocoria is urgent14–16 min →Health & symptomsUrine leaking or wet bedding in cats14–16 min →
Back to A–Z ↑W76
HealthWhat are the black specks on my cat’s chin?9 min →HealthWhat does it mean when a cat’s ears feel warm?9 min →Health ObservationWhat does normal cat ear wax look like?8 min →HealthWhen a change in behavior matters6 min →HealthWhy are my cat’s eyes watering?8 min →HealthWhy are my cat’s pupils different sizes?9 min →Health ObservationWhy are one side of my cat’s whiskers pointing forward?8 min →HealthWhy can I see my cat’s third eyelid when they are sleepy?9 min →HealthWhy do a cat’s paws twitch during sleep?9 min →HealthWhy do my cat’s back feet point outward?9 min →Cat healthWhy Do My Cat's Ears Feel Warm After Sleeping?9 min →Health ObservationWhy do my cat’s eyes reflect different colours in photos?7 min →HealthWhy do my cat’s front paws turn outward when sitting?8 min →Cat healthWhy Do My Cat's Pupils Look Different in Photos?9 min →Health ObservationWhy do my cat’s pupils look different just after waking?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Chew on Only One Side?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Dig in the Litter Box for So Long?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Drop Kibble While Chewing?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Have Dandruff Near the Tail?9 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat keep licking their nose?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Keep One Eye Closed After Waking?9 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat lick their lips after smelling food?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Meow Before Using the Litter Box?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Paw at the Mouth After a Treat?9 min →SymptomsWhy does my cat pee outside the litter box only at night?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat poop beside a clean litter box?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat rest with their chin flat on the floor?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat run around before using the litter box?7 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Shake One Paw After the Litter Box?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Sit Hunched After Eating?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat sit with one paw raised?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat sleep with their head against a wall?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat smack their lips after eating?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat sneeze after drinking water?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat sniff the litter box and walk away?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat sprint before using the litter box?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat stand in the litter box for a long time?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat step over food without eating?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat suddenly dislike having their ears touched?7 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Suddenly Have Bad Breath?9 min →Health ObservationWhy does my cat suddenly sit down while walking?8 min →Symptoms & warning signsWhy does my cat suddenly smell different?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat suddenly wake and run from sleep?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat swallow after purring?9 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat Swallow Hard After Eating?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat urinate near the front edge of the litter box?8 min →HealthWhy does my cat’s back leg shake while standing?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat's Back Twitch When Petted?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat’s breath smell fishy?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat's Fur Suddenly Feel Greasy?9 min →HealthWhy does my cat’s lower lip tremble?8 min →Cat healthWhy Does My Cat's Nose Change From Wet to Dry?9 min →HealthWhy does my senior cat miss the litter box edge?8 min →HealthWhy does one cat eye water in wind or bright light?8 min →Health ObservationWhy does one of my cat’s ears feel warmer than the other?7 min →HealthWhy does the fur around my cat’s ears look greasy?8 min →HealthWhy has my cat stopped jumping?8 min →Symptoms & safetyWhy is my cat drinking more than usual?8 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat drooling?14–16 min →HealthWhy is my cat eating litter?8 min →Health ObservationWhy is my cat holding their head lower than usual?8 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat licking the genital area so much?14–16 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat losing balance?14–16 min →HealthWhy is my cat losing fur in patches?8 min →HealthWhy is my cat peeing more often?8 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat scratching their ears?14–16 min →Cat healthWhy Is My Cat Sitting in the Litter Box Without Using It?9 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat suddenly always hungry?14–16 min →Health ObservationWhy is my cat suddenly walking low to the ground?7 min →Health ObservationWhy is my cat swallowing water loudly?8 min →Cat healthWhy Is My Cat's Fur Greasy Along the Back?9 min →Health & symptomsWhy is my cat’s third eyelid showing?14–16 min →Health ObservationWhy is my cat’s voice hoarse in the morning?8 min →Cat healthWhy Is One of My Cat's Ears Dirtier Than the Other?9 min →Symptoms & warning signsWhy is the skin on my cat's back twitching?8 min →Cat healthWhy Won't One of My Cat's Claws Retract?9 min →
Back to A–Z ↑