# Yellow Skin or Yellow Pee in Cats: What It Means Yellow skin or yellow pee in a cat almost always means jaundice, which is a buildup of a yellow pigment called bilirubin in the body. It points to a problem with the liver, the bile ducts, or the red blood cells, and it is never normal. A cat with cat skin yellow needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away, especially if the cat has stopped eating. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Yellow color in the skin, gums, inner eyelids, or urine means jaundice, and it signals liver, bile duct, or blood disease. - Appetite loss plus yellow skin is a serious combination. Cats who stop eating can develop a dangerous liver condition called hepatic lipidosis [1]. - Jaundice is often first visible in the whites of the eyes, the gums, the inside of the ears, and the skin of the belly. - Do not wait a few days to "see if it improves." Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic today. - Do not give any human medication, especially pain creams. A topical human arthritis cream containing diclofenac caused severe acute liver injury in two cats in the same household [2]. ## What Yellow Skin and Yellow Pee Look Like ### Normal color in cats A healthy cat has pink gums, pinkish-white inner eyelids, and pale skin under the fur. Urine can range from pale yellow to a deeper amber, depending on how concentrated it is. Some yellow in urine is normal. Bright yellow or orange-yellow urine, or urine that stains the litter and the fur around the back end, is not. ### What jaundice looks like Jaundice (also called icterus) tints body tissues yellow. In cats, the easiest places to check are: - The whites of the eyes - The gums and the lining of the lips - The inner surface of the ear flap - The skin on the belly and inner thighs, where fur is thin - The urine, which may look dark yellow, orange, or tea-colored The yellow color comes from bilirubin, a waste product made when old red blood cells break down. The liver normally processes bilirubin and sends it out through bile. When the liver is injured, when bile flow is blocked, or when red blood cells are destroyed too fast, bilirubin builds up in the blood and leaks into tissues [3]. ### Yellow bumps or spots on the skin A yellow bump on cat skin is usually something different from jaundice. It may be a cyst, a sebaceous gland growth, an insect bite reaction, or a small abscess. Jaundice is a diffuse color change, not a single lump. If you find a distinct yellow bump, have your veterinarian look at it, but do not assume it explains yellow skin elsewhere. Whole-body diseases can also cause skin changes such as redness, crusting, oozing, hair loss, and thickened skin, and these skin signs sometimes appear before the internal disease is obvious [3]. ## Main Causes of Yellow Skin in Cats | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) | Overweight cat that stopped eating for days, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice [1] | Emergency. Can be fatal without aggressive nutrition and support. | | Acute liver injury from toxins or drugs | Sudden lethargy, fever, not eating, very high liver enzymes [4][2] | Emergency. Some cases improve with hospital care, some do not [2]. | | Cholangitis and bile duct disease | Jaundice, vomiting, belly pain, fever, enlarged organs on exam [5] | Urgent to emergency. Bile duct infections can become life-threatening. | | Bile duct blockage or tumor | Slow onset of jaundice, belly swelling, intermittent vomiting [6] | Urgent. Imaging and often surgery are needed. | | Hemolytic disease (red blood cell destruction) | Pale gums that turn yellow, weakness, fast breathing | Emergency. | | Severe systemic illness | Poor appetite, weight loss, dull coat, skin changes alongside organ disease [3] | Urgent. The skin problem may show up before other signs [3]. | ### Liver disease and hepatic lipidosis The liver does hundreds of jobs, including handling bilirubin, clotting blood, and processing nutrients. When liver cells are badly injured, bilirubin rises and the cat turns yellow. In one reported case, a cat with severe liver cell injury had markedly high ALT and AST with mild hyperbilirubinemia, and improved with hospitalization and supportive care [4]. Hepatic lipidosis is one of the most common serious liver diseases in cats. It often starts when a cat stops eating, and the liver becomes stuffed with fat. In a reported case, a cat with a one-week history of not eating, vomiting, and jaundice had very high liver enzymes and a total bilirubin of 5.5 mg/dl, with biopsy confirming hepatic lipidosis [1]. This is why appetite loss in a cat with yellow skin is such a serious combination. ### Toxin and drug exposure Cats are not small dogs or small people. Their livers process many drugs differently, and some human products are dangerous. Two cats in one household developed acute liver injury after their caregiver used a human transdermal diclofenac cream for three months. One cat had an ALT of 10,549 U/L, and the other had an ALT of 20,838 U/L with hyperbilirubinemia. One recovered with supportive care and the other was euthanized after deteriorating [2]. Never apply human pain creams, gels, or patches to a cat or leave them where a cat can lick them. ### Bile duct disease and tumors Bile duct problems can block the flow of bile, so bilirubin backs up into the blood. Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare gallbladder infection with gas-producing bacteria. In five confirmed cases, all five cats had inappetence, 80 percent vomited, 60 percent were lethargic, and 60 percent were jaundiced on physical exam [5]. Biliary cystadenoma is a rare liver and bile duct tumor. One cat with this tumor arrived with abdominal distension and intermittent vomiting, and imaging showed a large cystic mass involving multiple liver lobes [6]. ### Blood and immune causes When red blood cells are destroyed faster than the liver can process the leftovers, bilirubin rises even if the liver itself is not the main problem. Immune disease, certain infections, and some toxins can do this. The yellow color can appear quickly, and the cat may be weak or breathe fast. ### Skin conditions that are not jaundice Some skin problems look yellow without any liver disease. Bruising can look yellow-green as it fades. Sebaceous cysts and some tumors can have a yellowish surface. Liver disease and diabetes can rarely cause death of skin tissue in older cats, with redness, crusting, oozing, hair loss, thickened skin, and footpad ulcers [3]. If your cat has skin changes but normal gum color and normal urine color, the cause is probably not jaundice, but it still deserves a vet visit. ## Red Flags That Make It an Emergency Go to an emergency clinic now, or call ahead first, if your cat has any of these: - Yellow gums, yellow eye whites, or yellow skin - Yellow or orange urine - Not eating for more than 24 hours, especially with jaundice - Vomiting, especially repeated vomiting or vomiting that looks yellow or foamy - Extreme lethargy, weakness, or collapse - Fast or labored breathing - Pale gums that look yellow instead of pink - Belly pain when you touch the abdomen, or a swollen belly - Fever - Known or possible exposure to a human medication, cream, or toxin Yellow vomit and yellow urine can both point to the same underlying problem. If your cat is bringing up yellow fluid, see [Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid: What It Means](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-vomiting-yellow) and [Yellow Vomit From Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/yellow-vomit-from-cat). If the gums look yellow, read [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). ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While Waiting You cannot treat jaundice at home. Your job is to keep your cat safe and get to the vet fast. - Call the clinic before you go. Tell them your cat looks yellow and whether the cat is eating. They may send you straight to an emergency hospital. - Do not give human pain relievers. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac are all dangerous to cats, and diclofenac cream has caused severe liver injury in cats [2]. - Do not force-feed unless your veterinarian tells you to. A cat who is vomiting or has a blocked bile duct should not have food pushed into the mouth. - Offer water. Dehydration makes everything worse. Do not syringe water into the mouth, which can cause choking. - Keep the cat indoors and calm. Limit handling and stress. - Collect a urine sample if you can. A clean litter box with non-absorbent litter or a small plastic cup can catch a sample. Even a photo of the litter box helps. - Write down a timeline. Note when the yellow color started, when the cat last ate, any vomiting, and any possible exposure to medications, plants, or chemicals. - Check the litter box and food bowl. Bring notes on how much the cat drank, urinated, and ate in the last 24 hours. If your cat is vomiting yellow fluid repeatedly, see [My Cat Is Vomiting Yellow Fluid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/my-cat-is-vomiting-yellow-fluid) and [My Cat Is Throwing Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-is-throwing-up-yellow-liquid). ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test ### History and physical exam Your vet will ask about appetite, vomiting, weight change, diet, medications in the home, and possible toxin exposure. They will check gum color, hydration, body condition, and whether the belly is painful or enlarged. In the five cats with gallbladder infection, jaundice was found on physical exam in 60 percent, abdominal discomfort in 40 percent, and enlarged organs in 40 percent [5]. ### Blood work A complete blood count checks red and white blood cells and platelets. A chemistry panel checks liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GLDH), bilirubin, and other organ values. In one reported case, a cat with severe liver cell injury had mild neutrophilia, a regenerative left shift, and moderate thrombocytopenia, along with markedly high ALT and AST and mild hyperbilirubinemia [4]. In the diclofenac cases, ALT reached 10,549 U/L and 20,838 U/L, with total bilirubin of 16.7 and 26.7 μmol/L [2]. These numbers show how extreme liver injury can look on paper. ### Imaging Ultrasound is the most common next step. It can show bile duct dilation, gallbladder disease, masses, or fluid. In the biliary cystadenoma case, ultrasound, CT, and MRI were all used to map a large multilocular cystic mass before surgery [6]. In the gallbladder infection cases, ultrasound or CT showed a dilated gallbladder [5]. ### Additional tests Your vet may recommend bile acid testing, clotting times, blood typing, infectious disease testing, or a liver biopsy. A biopsy is often the only way to tell one liver disease from another. In the biliary cystadenoma case, the diagnosis was confirmed only after histopathology [6]. ### Treatment depends on the cause Treatment may include intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication, antibiotics, liver support, appetite stimulants, a feeding tube, or surgery. Doses are calculated by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight and health, so never use a dose from the internet. Some cats recover fully with hospital care, and some do not, even with treatment [2][6]. ## Prevention and Monitoring - Keep your cat at a healthy weight. Overweight cats are at higher risk for hepatic lipidosis when they stop eating [1]. - Never let a cat go more than 24 hours without eating. If your cat refuses food, call your vet the same day. - Store all human medications, creams, gels, and patches out of reach. Diclofenac cream caused severe liver injury in two cats [2]. - Read labels on flea products, cleaners, and plants. Cats groom themselves, so anything on the fur gets swallowed. - Schedule routine exams, especially for senior cats. Liver disease and diabetes can cause skin changes that show up before other signs [3]. - Watch the litter box. A change in urine color is one of the earliest clues. - Take photos of any skin change or yellow color. Photos help your vet track how fast things are changing. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your cat. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat and runs tests can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Call an emergency clinic now if your cat has yellow skin, yellow eyes, yellow urine, is not eating, is vomiting repeatedly, is weak, is breathing fast, or has a swollen or painful belly. Call your veterinarian the same day if you notice a yellow tint anywhere on your cat, if your cat skipped more than one meal, or if you find a yellow bump or skin change you have not seen before. Schedule a routine visit if your cat has a stable skin change with normal gum color, normal urine color, and a normal appetite. Even then, mention it at the next exam. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is yellow pee always a sign of liver disease? No. Concentrated urine can look darker yellow, and some foods and medications change urine color. However, bright yellow, orange, or tea-colored urine combined with yellow gums or skin strongly suggests jaundice and needs same-day veterinary care. ### Can a cat recover from jaundice? Yes, some cats recover, and it depends on the cause. In one reported case, a cat with severe liver cell injury improved with hospitalization and supportive care and was alive at follow-up with normal liver enzymes [4]. In the diclofenac cases, one cat improved with supportive care and one was euthanized after deteriorating [2]. ### My cat has yellow skin and is not eating. How long can I wait? Do not wait. Appetite loss plus jaundice is a medical emergency. Cats who stop eating can develop hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening liver disease, and the sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of recovery [1]. ### What causes a yellow bump on a cat's skin? A single yellow bump is usually a cyst, a gland growth, or a small infection, not jaundice. Jaundice causes a widespread yellow tint, not one spot. Have any new lump checked, especially if it grows, drains, or changes color. ### Can I catch jaundice from my cat? No. Jaundice is a sign of an underlying disease, not an infection you can catch. Some rare infections that cause liver disease in cats can spread to people, so wash your hands after handling your cat and ask your veterinarian about specific risks. ### What should I bring to the vet visit? Bring a timeline of when the yellow color started, how much your cat has eaten and drunk, any vomiting, a list of all medications and products in your home, and a urine sample or photo if you have one. These details help your veterinarian choose the right tests quickly. ## Related Articles - [Cat Vomiting Yellow Liquid: What It Means](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-vomiting-yellow) - [Yellow Vomit From Cat](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/yellow-vomit-from-cat) - [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) - [My Cat Is Vomiting Yellow Fluid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/my-cat-is-vomiting-yellow-fluid) - [My Cat Is Throwing Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-is-throwing-up-yellow-liquid) - [My Cat Throw Up Yellow Liquid](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/my-cat-throw-up-yellow-liquid) - [Dark or Bright Yellow Cat Pee: What the Color Means](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-pee-dark-yellow) - [Why Is My Cat Yellow? Yellow Eyes, Skin, and Jaundice Explained](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-yellow-eyes-skin-jaundice) - [Yellow Gums in Cats: Causes and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/yellow-gums-cats-jaundice) ## References 1. [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. 2. [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. 3. [Whole-body Disorders that Affect the Skin in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/skin-disorders-of-cats/whole-body-disorders-that-affect-the-skin-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 4. [Blue-Green Neutrophilic Inclusions in a Cat With Severe Hepatocellular Injury](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42667639/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. 5. [Clinicopathological features of feline emphysematous cholecystitis: five cases (2017-2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40534538/). The Journal of small animal practice, 2025. 6. [Multimodality imaging characteristics and surgical management of a biliary cystadenoma in a cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42521841/). Veterinary research communications, 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)