# Cat Not Feeling Well? 12 Signs to Watch For Cats are masters at hiding illness, so a cat not feeling well may look "just a little off" before anything obvious appears. The most reliable approach is to know your cat's normal daily habits, then watch for small changes in hiding, posture, appetite, grooming, and litter box use. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Subtle behavior changes (hiding more, sitting hunched, grooming less) often show up before clear symptoms like vomiting or limping. - Any cat that stops eating for more than 24 hours, breathes with an open mouth, or cannot urinate needs veterinary care right away. - Pain in cats is often quiet. A lowered head position and facial tension are measurable pain behaviors in cats recovering from eye surgery [1]. - If you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline immediately, and bring the suspected item with you to the clinic [2]. - Kittens and senior cats decline faster than healthy adult cats, so lower your threshold for calling the vet. ## 12 Signs a Cat Is Not Feeling Well ### 1. Hiding More Than Usual Hiding is one of the most common early clues. A cat that suddenly spends the day under the bed, in a closet, or behind the couch may be stressed, painful, or nauseated. Some hiding is normal, especially with visitors or new pets. Hiding that lasts more than a day, or that comes with missed meals, is not. ### 2. Changes in Posture A sick cat often sits hunched with its head lowered and its front legs tucked close. In a study of cats recovering from eye surgery, a lowered head position was one of the pain behaviors recorded before and after pain medication [1]. A cat that presses its head against a wall or holds its neck stiffly needs a same-day vet visit. ### 3. Eating Less or Refusing Food Skipping one meal can happen. Refusing food for a full day is a problem, especially in cats, because they can develop liver complications quickly when they stop eating. Weigh your cat if you can. Even a small drop matters in a cat that was already thin. ### 4. Drinking More or Less Water Increased thirst can point to kidney disease, diabetes, or infection. A cat with a singleton pregnancy and a dead fetus presented with lethargy, increased thirst, and no appetite [3]. That is an extreme example, but it shows how thirst changes can signal serious internal problems. Decreased drinking is also a concern because it leads to dehydration. ### 5. Grooming Changes Cats that feel unwell often stop grooming. The coat looks dull, greasy, or clumped. The opposite can happen too. A painful cat may over-groom one spot until the fur thins or the skin reddens. Both patterns deserve a vet visit if they last more than a few days. ### 6. Litter Box Changes Watch for straining, smaller urine clumps, diarrhea, constipation, or accidents outside the box. A male cat straining to urinate with no urine produced is an emergency. So is a cat that cries while in the box. ### 7. Vomiting or Diarrhea An occasional hairball is common. Repeated vomiting, vomiting after every meal, or diarrhea with blood or black material is not. Vomiting is also a common sign of poisoning in cats, along with drooling, tremors, and weakness [4][2]. ### 8. Lethargy or Weakness A cat that no longer greets you, jumps on the couch, or plays with its usual toys may be tired from pain, fever, or anemia. For a deeper look at this sign, see [Cat Lethargy: When to Worry and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-lethargy-when-to-worry). ### 9. Breathing Changes Fast breathing at rest, open-mouth breathing, or noisy breathing is serious in cats. Cats rarely pant unless they are extremely stressed or very sick. Breathing trouble can worsen within hours, so treat it as an emergency. More detail is in [Cat Difficulty Breathing: Emergency Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-difficulty-breathing-emergency). ### 10. Bad Breath or Mouth Pain Drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, or refusing crunchy food can mean dental disease or an oral ulcer. Bad breath that is new or strong is worth checking. See [Cat Bad Breath: When Is It a Sign of Illness?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-bad-breath-when-to-worry). ### 11. Stiffness or Reluctance to Move A cat that hesitates before jumping, misses the couch, or walks with a stiff gait may have joint pain. This is easy to mistake for "just getting older." [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs) explains what to watch for. ### 12. Behavior or Mood Changes Growling when touched, hiding from family members, or sudden clinginess can all signal discomfort. Stress and illness can look alike. [Cat Stress Signs: How to Recognize and Reduce Stress in Your Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-stress-signs-reduce) helps you sort out which is which. ## What Is Normal and What Is Not Normal varies by cat. A healthy adult cat usually eats, drinks, grooms, uses the litter box, and interacts with you on a fairly predictable schedule. Write down that schedule for one week. Note meal times, litter box habits, play, and sleep spots. Then compare. A single missed meal or one extra nap is often nothing. A pattern that lasts more than 24 to 48 hours, or that combines two or more signs, is your cue to call the vet. Kittens and senior cats need a lower threshold. A kitten not feeling well can dehydrate in hours. Older cats often have hidden kidney, thyroid, or heart disease that shows up as small appetite or energy changes first. ## Common Causes and How Urgent They Are | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Poisoning | Vomiting, drooling, tremors, weakness, sudden behavior change [4][2] | Emergency. Call your vet and Pet Poison Helpline now [2] | | Pain (dental, joint, eye, abdominal) | Hunched posture, lowered head, reduced grooming, irritability [1] | Same-day to 24 hours, depending on severity | | Infection or fever | Lethargy, warm ears, hiding, poor appetite | Same-day visit | | Urinary blockage | Straining, crying in the box, no urine | Emergency | | Gastrointestinal upset | Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, lip licking | Call vet if it lasts more than 24 hours or comes with blood | | Internal disease (kidney, thyroid, diabetes) | Increased thirst, weight loss, dull coat [3] | Routine visit within a few days | | Stress or anxiety | Hiding, over-grooming, appetite changes | Monitor and reduce triggers, vet visit if it persists | ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Go to an emergency clinic now if you see any of these: - Open-mouth breathing, panting, or blue gums - Straining to urinate with little or no urine - Collapse, seizure, or inability to stand - Suspected poisoning or exposure to a toxin [4][2] - Bleeding that will not stop - A swollen, painful abdomen - A kitten that is weak, cold, or not nursing Call your vet the same day for: - No food for 24 hours - Vomiting more than three times in a day - Diarrhea with blood or black stool - Sudden hiding with no other explanation - A new lump, limp, or bad breath ## What You Can Safely Do at Home You cannot treat most cat illnesses at home, but you can make your cat more comfortable and gather useful information. - Set up a quiet, warm room with food, water, and a litter box close by. Keep children and other pets away. - Offer small amounts of the usual food. Do not switch diets suddenly. - Do not give human medications. Many common pain relievers are toxic to cats. - If you suspect poisoning, call your vet and Pet Poison Helpline before doing anything at home. Bring the container or plant with you to the clinic [2]. - Take a short video of any breathing, walking, or posture changes. Vets can spot a lot from a 30-second clip. - Write down the timeline. When did the sign start? What changed that day? Do not force food or water into a cat that is vomiting or having trouble breathing. That can make things worse. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check Your vet will start with a full physical exam. They will check hydration, gum color, heart and lung sounds, abdominal comfort, and the mouth. They will also look at your cat's face and posture. Tools like the Feline Grimace Scale use ear position, eye tightening, muzzle tension, whiskers, and head position to score pain [5][6]. Research shows that observer gender can affect pain scores, with female observers assigning higher scores than male observers in one study [7]. That is a reminder that pain assessment is not perfect and your input matters. Common tests include: - Blood work (complete blood count and chemistry panel) - Urinalysis - X-rays or ultrasound - Fecal testing - Blood pressure and thyroid testing in older cats Treatment depends on the cause. For poisoning, treatment may start with inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal to absorb toxins. Severe cases may need IV fluids and anticonvulsants for seizures [2]. Your vet calculates any medication dose from your cat's weight and health, so never use a leftover prescription from another pet. ## Prevention and Daily Monitoring The best prevention is routine care and close observation. - Keep all medications, cleaners, plants, and pest control products out of reach. Cats can absorb toxins while grooming their fur [4]. - Be careful with rodent and insect poisons if you have a cat. Cats can be poisoned by eating a poisoned rodent [4]. - Schedule yearly exams for healthy adults and twice-yearly exams for seniors. - Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current. - Weigh your cat monthly. A kitchen scale works well. - Track appetite, water intake, and litter box habits in a phone note. Small changes caught early are often easier and cheaper to treat. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific cat. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can do that. Use these timing rules: - Emergency now: trouble breathing, no urine, collapse, seizure, suspected poisoning, heavy bleeding. - Same day: no eating for 24 hours, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, sudden severe pain, a kitten that is weak. - Routine visit within a few days: gradual appetite change, new hiding, coat changes, mild limping, bad breath. If you are unsure, call your vet's office and describe what you see. Most clinics would rather answer a quick question than treat a crisis later. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why does my cat hide when it does not feel well? Hiding is a natural survival instinct. A cat that feels weak or painful avoids attention and seeks a safe, quiet spot. If hiding is new and lasts more than a day, or comes with missed meals, call your vet. ### How can I tell if my cat is in pain? Look for a hunched posture, a lowered head, squinted eyes, flattened ears, and reduced grooming. Facial tension around the muzzle and whiskers is part of how vets score pain in cats [5][6]. A cat that growls when touched or avoids jumping may also be painful. ### Should I wait a day before calling the vet? It depends on the sign. A single missed meal in an otherwise bright cat can wait a few hours. Breathing trouble, straining to urinate, collapse, or suspected poisoning cannot wait. When in doubt, call and ask. ### Can stress make my cat act sick? Yes. Stress can cause hiding, appetite loss, over-grooming, and litter box accidents that look like illness. Stress and illness can also occur together. If signs last more than two days, have your vet check your cat. ### What should I bring to the vet visit? Bring a written timeline of symptoms, a list of medications and flea products, and any suspected toxin container. A short video of the behavior helps too. If you think your cat ate something toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline before you leave [2]. ## Related Articles - [Cat Bad Breath: When Is It a Sign of Illness?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-bad-breath-when-to-worry) - [Cat Stress Signs: How to Recognize and Reduce Stress in Your Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/anxiety-and-behavior-support/cat-stress-signs-reduce) - [Cat Arthritis: How to Tell If Your Cat Is in Pain](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/senior-and-chronic-care/cat-arthritis-pain-signs) - [Cat Lethargy: When to Worry and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-lethargy-when-to-worry) - [Cat Difficulty Breathing: Emergency Signs and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-difficulty-breathing-emergency) - [Cat Limping: When to Worry and What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-limping-when-to-worry) - [Sick Cat Body Language: Signs Your Cat Is Unwell](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/sick-cat-body-language-signs) - [How to Tell If Your Cat Is Sick](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/how-to-tell-cat-is-sick) - [Sick Cat Face: What Facial Signs Mean](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/sick-cat-face-signs) ## References 1. [Keeping an eye on pain: Characterization of pain behaviours in cats undergoing ophthalmic surgery](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42365892/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. 2. [Symptoms of Cat Being Poisoned](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/symptoms-of-cat-being-poisoned/). Pet Poison Helpline. 3. [Imaging diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death in a cat with singleton pregnancy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42365928/). Topics in companion animal medicine, 2026. 4. [Clinical Signs of Poisoning in Cats](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/clinical-signs-of-poisoning-in-cats/). Pet Poison Helpline. 5. [Automated acute pain assessment in brachycephalic cats with ocular pain using the Feline Grimace Scale](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42486150/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2026. 6. [Challenges using the Feline Grimace Scale in brachycephalic cats with ocular pain](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41251310/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2026. 7. [The effects of observer gender on feline acute pain assessment using three pain scoring instruments](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42045494/). Scientific reports, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)