# Why Is My Cat Yellow? Yellow Eyes, Skin, and Jaundice Explained If your cat looks yellow, the first thing to sort out is where the yellow is. A cat with naturally yellow or yellow-green eyes is completely normal, but yellow color in the gums, skin, or the whites of the eyes is jaundice, and it means you need a veterinarian today. This article explains why is my cat yellow, how to tell the two apart, and what happens next. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Yellow or yellow-green eyes are a normal eye color in many cats, especially adults, and are not a sign of illness on their own. - Yellow gums, yellow skin (often inside the ears, on the belly, or on the nose), or yellow whites of the eyes are jaundice, which is always abnormal in cats. - Jaundice means bilirubin is building up because of a liver problem, a bile duct problem, or red blood cell breakdown, and it needs same-day veterinary care. - Do not wait to see if yellow color fades on its own. Cats hide illness well, and liver disease can progress quickly. - Do not give any human medication, including pain creams or supplements, because some are toxic to cats [1]. ## What Yellow Looks Like in a Cat and What Is Normal ### Normal yellow cat eyes Many healthy cats have eyes that range from pale gold to deep amber to yellow-green. This color comes from pigment in the iris, and it is set early in life. If your cat has always had yellow eyes, that is simply your cat's eye color. It is not jaundice. A few cats have a color change in the iris over months or years, which can be related to age or other eye conditions. A sudden change in eye color, cloudiness, or a yellow tint to the white part of the eye is different and should be checked. ### What jaundice actually looks like Jaundice (also called icterus) is yellow discoloration of body tissues caused by too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down, and the liver normally processes it and sends it out in bile. In cats, jaundice is easiest to see in these places: - The gums and the inside of the lips - The whites of the eyes (the sclera and conjunctiva) - The skin inside the ear flaps - The skin on the belly, where fur is thin - Occasionally the nose leather In a cat with dark gums or heavy pigmentation, jaundice can be hard to spot at home. A veterinarian can often see it better under good light. ### Why the difference matters Yellow eyes alone are usually cosmetic. Yellow gums, skin, or eye whites are a medical sign. If you are unsure which one you are seeing, treat it as jaundice until a veterinarian says otherwise. ## Main Causes of Yellowing in Cats Jaundice in cats has three broad categories: problems before the liver (red blood cell destruction), problems inside the liver, and problems after the liver (bile flow blockage). The table below covers the most common causes seen in practice. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) | Overweight cat that stopped eating for days, vomiting, weight loss, yellow gums [2][3] | Emergency today | | Cholangitis (bile duct inflammation) | Waxing and waning appetite, vomiting, fever, yellow gums, often middle-aged to older cats [4] | Same day to emergency | | Toxin or drug injury | Known exposure to a medication or cream, sudden anorexia, lethargy, fever [1] | Emergency today | | Bile duct obstruction | Yellow gums that deepen quickly, pale stools, vomiting, abdominal pain | Emergency today | | Hemolytic disease (red blood cell destruction) | Pale or yellow gums, weakness, fast breathing, sometimes dark urine | Emergency today | | Cancer or infiltrative liver disease | Slow weight loss, poor appetite, jaundice that builds over weeks | Same day to urgent | | Severe acute hepatocellular injury | Sudden collapse in appetite, fever, lethargy, very high liver enzymes [5] | Emergency today | ### Hepatic lipidosis Feline hepatic lipidosis is a common and life-threatening liver disease. It happens when a cat stops eating and the liver fills with triglycerides, causing severe metabolic stress [3]. A 14-year-old cat in one report arrived with a one-week history of anorexia, vomiting, and jaundice, with total bilirubin at 5.5 mg/dl [2]. Many cats with hepatic lipidosis are overweight before they get sick, and the trigger is often another illness or stress that made them stop eating. ### Cholangitis Inflammatory biliary tract disease is the most common liver disease in cats, but it is still poorly understood [4]. There are chronic lymphocytic and acute neutrophilic forms, and some cats have features of both [4]. Acute suppurative cholangitis is often linked to bacterial infection and interrupted bile flow [4]. These cats may have good days and bad days with appetite, which can make owners think the problem is minor. ### Toxin exposure Some household products can injure a cat's liver. Two cats in one household developed acute liver injury after their caregiver used 10% human diclofenac cream for three months [1]. One cat had ALT of 10,549 U/L and the other 20,838 U/L, and one did not survive [1]. This is a reminder that topical human medications can be absorbed by cats during grooming. ### Acute hepatocellular injury Severe sudden liver cell damage can cause jaundice along with fever, lethargy, and poor appetite. A 5-year-old cat with severe hepatocellular injury had markedly high ALT and AST with mild hyperbilirubinemia, and improved with hospitalization and supportive care [5]. Some of these cases have no clear cause found. If your cat also has yellow material coming up, see [My Cat Is Throwing Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-is-throwing-up-yellow-liquid) and [Yellow Vomit From Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/yellow-vomit-from-cat). If the yellow you are seeing is mainly around the gums, [Why Is My Cat having yellow tinge to gums? Feline Cholangitis and Hepatic Lipidosis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-having-yellow-tinge-to-gums-feline-cholangitis-and-hepatic-lipidosis) goes deeper into those two diseases. ## Red Flags That Make Yellowing an Emergency Call an emergency clinic right away if you see any of these along with yellow color: - Your cat will not eat or drink for more than 12 to 24 hours - Vomiting that will not stop, or vomiting with blood - Extreme lethargy, weakness, or collapse - Trouble breathing or fast breathing - Yellow gums that look deeper than they did this morning - Pale gums, which can mean anemia on top of jaundice - Dark brown or orange urine - A swollen or painful belly - Known or suspected exposure to a human medication, cream, or toxin - Seizures, wobbling, or confusion If you suspect poisoning, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait You cannot treat jaundice at home. What you can do is keep your cat stable and give your veterinarian good information. - Remove all human medications, creams, and supplements from areas your cat can reach [1]. - Offer small amounts of your cat's normal food or a highly palatable canned food. Do not force feed. - Keep fresh water available in a low, wide bowl. - Write down when your cat last ate, drank, urinated, and had a bowel movement. - Take photos of the yellow areas in natural light so your vet can compare later. - Note any vomiting, drooling, or changes in behavior and the times they happened. - Keep your cat indoors and quiet, away from other pets and children. - Do not give any medication, including human pain relievers, without veterinary direction. If your cat is not eating at all, that alone is an emergency in cats. Anorexia is the main trigger for hepatic lipidosis [3]. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test ### The physical exam Your veterinarian will look at the gums, eye whites, ear flaps, and belly skin under good light. They will feel the abdomen for an enlarged liver, a swollen gallbladder, or pain. They will also check hydration, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. ### Blood work A minimum database usually includes: - A complete blood count to look for anemia, infection, and changes in white blood cells [5] - A biochemistry panel to measure ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin [5][2][1] - Electrolytes and glucose - Thyroid testing in older cats Very high ALT and AST point to active liver cell injury [5][1]. High total bilirubin confirms jaundice and helps gauge severity [2]. ### Imaging Abdominal ultrasound is the main tool for looking at the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. It can show a blocked duct, gallbladder sludge, or masses. X-rays may be used in some cases. ### Additional testing Depending on findings, your vet may recommend: - Bile culture or sampling during ultrasound - Liver biopsy or fine needle aspirate to identify the type of liver disease [4] - Testing for underlying conditions that caused anorexia - A blood smear review, which can show unusual inclusions in white blood cells in some liver injury cases [5][1] ### Treatment basics Treatment depends on the cause. Supportive care often includes fluids, anti-nausea medication, appetite support, and liver-supporting drugs. A feeding tube may be needed if your cat will not eat. In one report, a cat with recurrent hepatic lipidosis was managed with standard therapy plus equine placental extract and ursodeoxycholic acid and stayed clinically stable [2]. Your veterinarian will decide what is appropriate for your cat, and any dose is calculated from your cat's weight and health. ## Prevention and Monitoring You cannot prevent every liver disease, but you can lower some risks. - Never use human pain creams, gels, or patches around cats [1]. - Keep all medications, supplements, and essential oils locked away. - Weigh your cat monthly and track the number. Unexplained weight loss is an early clue. - If your cat stops eating for more than a day, call your vet. Early intervention prevents hepatic lipidosis. - Feed a complete cat food and avoid sudden diet changes. - Keep up with wellness visits, especially for cats over 8 years old. - Ask your vet about baseline blood work once or twice a year in older cats. - If your cat has a chronic liver condition, follow the recheck schedule your vet sets. If your cat has other ongoing symptoms, [Why Is My Cat So Itchy?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/why-is-my-cat-so-itchy) and [Why Is My Cat having eye discharge? Herpesvirus Chlamydia and Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-having-eye-discharge-herpesvirus-chlamydia-and-conjunctivitis) cover two common problems that can appear alongside liver or immune disease. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is causing yellow color in your specific cat. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat and runs tests can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Contact a veterinarian the same day if you see yellow gums, yellow skin, or yellow eye whites, even if your cat seems otherwise fine. Cats often act normal until liver disease is advanced. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is not eating, is vomiting repeatedly, is weak or wobbly, is breathing fast, has pale gums, or has had any possible exposure to a human medication or toxin [1]. Schedule a routine visit if your cat's eye color has changed slowly over months without other signs, or if you want baseline blood work for an older cat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can cats have yellow eyes naturally? Yes. Yellow, gold, and yellow-green eyes are normal iris colors in many cats. This is pigment in the eye, not jaundice, and it does not need treatment. Jaundice looks different because it tints the gums, skin, and the white part of the eye, not the colored part. ### Is it normal for cats to have yellow eyes? It is normal for a cat to have yellow eyes if that has always been their eye color. It is not normal for the whites of the eyes or the gums to turn yellow. If the yellow appeared suddenly or is spreading beyond the iris, have your cat seen. ### My cat is yellow. Should I wait and see? No. Yellow gums, skin, or eye whites mean bilirubin is building up, and the cause needs to be found quickly. Waiting even a day can let liver disease get worse. Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic now. ### Are cats yellow all over, or is that a sign of illness? A cat's coat can be orange, cream, or buff, and that is normal fur color. A yellow tint to the skin itself, especially inside the ears or on the belly, is different and points to jaundice. If the skin under the fur looks yellow, that is a medical sign. ### Can cat yellow skin jaundice go away on its own? Sometimes the underlying cause can be treated and the yellow color fades as bilirubin levels drop. That happens with veterinary care, not on its own. A cat with jaundice who is not eating is at high risk, so treatment should start right away. ## Related Articles - [Why Is My Cat having yellow tinge to gums? Feline Cholangitis and Hepatic Lipidosis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-having-yellow-tinge-to-gums-feline-cholangitis-and-hepatic-lipidosis) - [Why Is My Cat So Itchy?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/why-is-my-cat-so-itchy) - [My Cat Is Throwing Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-is-throwing-up-yellow-liquid) - [Why Is My Cat having eye discharge? Herpesvirus Chlamydia and Conjunctivitis](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-having-eye-discharge-herpesvirus-chlamydia-and-conjunctivitis) - [Yellow Vomit From Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/yellow-vomit-from-cat) - [My Cat Throw Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-throw-up-yellow-liquid) - [Jaundice in Cats: Yellow Eyes, Ears, and Gums Explained](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/jaundice-in-cats-yellow-eyes-ears) - [Liver Disease in Cats: Symptoms, Causes and Jaundice](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/liver-disease-in-cats-symptoms) - [Jaundice in Cats: Causes, Meaning and What Comes Next](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/jaundice-in-cats-causes) ## References 1. [Potential acute hepatic injury in 2 cats exposed to topical human diclofenac](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41847487/). The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2026. 2. [Successful management of recurrent feline hepatic lipidosis with equine placenta extract supplementation: A case report](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42375981/). Open veterinary journal, 2026. 3. [Evaluation of Serum Homocysteine and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponins in Cats with Hepatic Lipidosis: An Observational Clinical Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42188883/). Veterinary sciences, 2026. 4. [Feline Cholangitis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40307104/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2025. 5. [Blue-Green Neutrophilic Inclusions in a Cat With Severe Hepatocellular Injury](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42667639/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [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)