Cat Lover’s Guide To Common Feline Diseases [Infographic]

Is your cat healthy?

Hopefully yes. However, there are several different diseases that can affect our feline companions at any stage of life.

You know your furry friend best, so it's important to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of a potential issue.

After all, she can't exactly tell you if she's not feeling well.

As her pet parent, it's your responsibility to notice if your animal is acting strangely so that you can get her evaluated as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common cat diseases, how to recognize them, and how they are treated. While not all of these diseases are curable, most can be well-managed with proper veterinary care.

Our quick take: the illnesses vets see most often in cats are dental disease, chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, urinary tract problems, intestinal parasites and upper respiratory infections, plus arthritis, heart disease and cancer in older cats. Many of these develop slowly and cats are good at hiding illness, so a checkup at least once a year (twice a year for seniors) with blood and urine tests is the best way to catch them early. Core vaccines protect against panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus and rabies, and against FeLV for kittens. Call your vet the same day if your cat stops eating for more than a day, keeps vomiting or has trouble breathing. A male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine is an emergency: go straight to a vet.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual, long-term loss of kidney function. Its advanced stages are what people usually mean by “kidney failure.” It is a progressive illness that impairs kidney function. Your cat's kidneys are organs which are responsible for several functions, including electrolyte and fluid balance and excreting waste via urine.

What causes CKD?

It's not always completely clear what causes CKD. In many cases, the cause is “idiopathic,” which means unknown. But in some cases, the causes are known.

What are the signs of CKD?

The signs and symptoms of CKD tend to get worse over time, since the disease is progressive. These signs include:

• Weight loss
• decreased appetite
• Lethargy and weakness
• Anemia
• Excessive thirst and/or urination
• Foul breath
• Unhealthy coat
• Hypertension

How is CKD diagnosed?

Your vet diagnoses CKD with blood tests (creatinine and SDMA), a urine test (how concentrated the urine is and whether it contains protein) and a blood pressure check. These results are also used to stage the disease with the IRIS system, which guides treatment. Yearly blood and urine screening from middle age can pick up CKD before signs appear.

How common is CKD?

CKD Is is one of the most common diseases affecting felines, especially older ones.

How is CKD treated?

There's no cure for CKD, but the progression of the disease can be controlled and a cat's life can be extended through a combination of diet, supplements, and medications.

Medications may include medicine to control blood pressure, treat anemia, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to and through the kidneys. Fluids given under the skin at home, anti-nausea medicine, appetite stimulants and phosphate binders are also common. Many cats live comfortably for years after diagnosis, especially when CKD is caught early.

Feline Diabetes

What causes feline diabetes?

Diabetes in cats is caused by not making enough insulin, or by the body no longer responding to insulin properly. Most diabetic cats have a form similar to type 2 diabetes in people, and obesity is the biggest risk factor. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which helps control the amount of sugar in the blood. Impaired blood sugar control can lead to a variety of health problems.

Your furry friend may be born with a genetic predisposition to developing diabetes. Diabetes may also be caused by some other health condition (such as obesity or other endocrine diseases) or as a result of certain drugs.

What are the signs and symptoms of feline diabetes?

Middle-aged and older cats are more likely to have diabetes. This condition may affect males more than females, too. The most common signs of feline diabetes include:

• Excessive urination
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive appetite
• Weight loss (despite increased appetite)

Because many of the signs and symptoms are similar to other diseases, your vet can confirm a diagnosis through blood and urine tests.

How is feline diabetes treated?

Feline diabetes can usually be well managed, but most cats need medication as well as diet changes. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet (usually wet food) and slow, vet-guided weight loss for overweight cats help control blood sugar.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

What is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)?

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an infectious disease. It is easily transmitted via the bodily fluids of infected cats. FeLV common in areas where there are many cats, such as multi-cat homes or communities with a lot of stray or feral felines.

What causes FeLV?

FeLV is caused by a virus that infects healthy cells in a feline's body. A diagnosis can be confirmed via a blood test.

What are the symptoms of FeLV?

Symptoms of FeLV can vary, but may include:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Unhealthy coat
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Skin, bladder, and respiratory infections
• Reproductive issues in female cats who haven't been spayed

Over time, this disease can lead to secondary health problems including anemia, liver problems, dental disease, poor wound healing, chronic respiratory infections, and leukemia.

How is FeLV prevented, treated, and managed?

There is no cure for FeLV, but a vet can help an infected feline feel as good as possible for as long as possible by preventing secondary health problems and managing her symptoms. Medications, supplements, and dietary changes can help.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)?

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease affecting cats. It's caused by the feline coronavirus.

Interestingly, the feline coronavirus is actually a common viral infection. In fact, many pet cats carry the coronavirus at some point, and in multi-cat homes and shelters most cats are likely to be exposed. Only a small minority of infected cats go on to develop FIP.

The feline coronavirus usually does not cause any significant health problems. Unfortunately, in some cases the coronavirus will mutate into a strain that can cause FIP.

There 2 key types of FIP:

• Dry or non-effusive: this leads to chronic inflammation around blood vessels within different organs including the brain, skin, kidneys, liver, eyes, lungs, and other tissues
• Wet or effusive: this is hallmarked by the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal or chest cavity due to inflammatory damage to blood vessels

An infected cat may show signs of one or both types of FIP.

What are the signs and symptoms of FIP?

There is such a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms of FIP that diagnosis cannot be made on presentation alone. Early signs often include non-specific ones like fever, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Wet FIP can lead to a swollen belly or respiratory problems. Dry FIP can result in any number of signs and symptoms, depending on which organs are affected.

How is FIP transmitted?

FIP itself is not transmitted, but rather the virus that can cause FIP is transmitted.

The majority of cats who develop FIP are under the age of 2. Cats living in crowded and/or stressful environments may be more at risk for developing FIP.

Just because a kitty has the coronavirus does not mean that she will develop FIP, however. The development of this disease depends on whether the virus mutates into a FIP-causing strain as it replicates itself once inside the animal's body (specifically, in her intestinal tract).

How can FIP be prevented?

Other ways to reduce a cat's risk of developing FIP is to keep food bowls and litter boxes clean and separate from each other, ensure proper preventive care through regular vet visits, and to maintain a calm and stress-free household environment.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a type of viral infection that may lead to impaired immunity and other health problem. It's similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans, although FIV cannot infect humans nor can HIV infect cats.

How is FIV transmitted?

Cats are typically infected by FIV via bites from other infected cats or coming in contact with infected saliva. It can occasionally pass from an infected mother to her kittens. Casual contact such as mutual grooming or sharing food bowls rarely spreads it, which is why unneutered male cats that roam and fight are at the highest risk.

How does FIV cause disease?

Once a cat is infected with FIV, the virus will never go away. Over time, the virus may lead to health problems because it infects white blood cells within the infect cat's body. This lowers the overall strength of a cat's immune system and makes her more susceptible to other diseases, including infections of the integumentary (skin), blood, and respiratory systems. These infections and other diseases often don't respond as well to treatment as they would in an otherwise healthy cat.

What are the symptoms of FIV?

When a kitty is first infected with the feline immunodeficiency virus, minor and often unnoticed signs of an acute viral infection can occur (like mild fever or swollen lymph nodes).

The type of symptoms that will present depends on what tissues are affected and what types of diseases show up, but may include:

• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Recurring fevers
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Persistent gum disease
• Recurring respiratory, vision, skin, dental, and intestinal problems
• Neurological symptoms such as impaired coordination (if the virus infects the brain)

How is FIV prevented?

The best protection is keeping your cat indoors (or in a secure outdoor enclosure) and having her spayed or neutered, which reduces fighting. An FIV vaccine was once sold, but it is no longer available in the US or Canada and is not part of routine vaccination recommendations. A cat with FIV should be spayed or neutered and kept indoors. FIV-positive cats can often share a home with FIV-negative cats if they get along and don't fight, but ask your vet before introducing a new cat.

How do I care for my FIV-infected cat?

Feline Hyperthyroidism

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a type of endocrine disorder. It occurs when an animal's thyroid gland becomes overactive and secretes too much thyroid hormone. This can stress many organ systems within a feline's body. Hyperthyroidism can also lead to an overactive metabolism.

What are the causes of feline hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is considered an age-related disease. It's actually the most common endocrine disorder that affects senior and middle-aged cats.

Your kitty has two thyroid glands located on either side of her neck. One or both of these glands can be affected.

How can I tell if my cat has feline hyperthyroidism?

About 10% of cats over the age of 10 have hyperthyroidism. So, if you've got an older kitty at home, be on the lookout for the following signs and symptoms:

• Unexplained weight loss, especially if your cat has a normal or even increased appetite
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Unusual accidents outside of the litter box
• Increased vocalization
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Apparent restlessness 
• A poor-looking coat 

How is feline hyperthyroidism diagnosed?

Early diagnosis is important because it can improve outcomes for an animal with this disease. A routine wellness exam with your vet may reveal clinical signs including atrophy (loss of muscle mass), high blood pressure, and an enlarged thyroid gland (or both) that can be felt by the vet. Your furry friend's pulse and respiratory rate may also be higher than usual.

To confirm a diagnosis, your vet will likely need to run blood work, as well.

How is feline hyperthyroidism treated?

If your furry friend has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, it's important to devise an appropriate treatment plan with your vet.

Standard treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats includes radioiodine therapy (to destroy overactive thyroid cells), antithyroid medications, thyroidectomy (partial or full removal of the affected thyroid gland), and/or an iodine-restricted prescription diet. Radioiodine therapy is usually curative, while medication and diet control the disease only as long as they are continued. Because hyperthyroidism can hide underlying kidney disease, your vet will recheck kidney values once thyroid levels are under control.

Lower Urinary Tract Disease

What are lower urinary tract diseases?

Feline lower urinary tract diseases are a group of conditions that affect the bladder and urethra in cats. Despite the common “UTI” label, true bacterial infections are uncommon in young and middle-aged cats. The most frequent cause is feline idiopathic cystitis (bladder inflammation often linked to stress), followed by bladder stones and urethral plugs.

What are the lower urinary tract diseases caused by?

There are many different causes of lower urinary tract diseases. These include urinary stones, bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, obstruction of the urethra, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, birth defects, trauma to the urinary tract, and a condition called feline idiopathic cystitis.

What are the common signs of lower urinary tract diseases?

You may be able to tell if your cat has a lower urinary tract problem if she:

• Frequently attempts to urinate, even if not a lot of urine comes out
• Strains to urinate or vocalizes while urinating (a sign that urination may be painful)
• Excessively licks her genital area
• Begins to have accidents outside the litter box
• Has blood in her urine

Emergency warning: a cat, especially a male, who keeps straining in the litter box but passes little or no urine may have a blocked urethra. A blockage can be fatal within a day or two, so take him to a vet or emergency clinic immediately rather than waiting to see if it passes.

How are lower urinary tract diseases treated?

Proper treatment of a lower urinary tract disease depends on the early and accurate diagnosis. Depending on what the vet staff finds, a feline may need medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms and resolve the underlying cause or causes of the disease.

How do I protect my cat against lower urinary tract diseases?

Any feline can contract a lower urinary tract disease, but certain cats are more at risk. This includes cats who are middle-aged, overweight, sedentary, stressed out, indoors-only, and cats who use an indoor litter box or eat a dry diet.

To protect your feline companion, ask your vet about the best type of food (e.g., wet food vs. dry food) for your feline. You may want to give her frequent small meals instead of 1-2 big meals per day.

Here you can read our reviews of the best cat food for your adult feline companion. For healthy kitten food choices click here.

Rabies

What is rabies?

Rabies is a lethal viral infection that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of mammals.

How is rabies transmitted to cats?

The virus can be transmitted via a bite or scratch from an infected animal. Because rabies can infect any mammal, including wildlife, outdoor cats who are unvaccinated are at the highest risk of contracting rabies.

Can I catch rabies?

What are the symptoms of feline rabies?

Feline rabies is a serious and deadly disease that sadly progresses very quickly. Symptoms depend on which stage of rabies infection the cat is currently experiencing.

There are 3 stages of rabies known:

• Prodromal stage: this typically lasts for 1-2 days and will usually present within 1-3 months after the cat is first infected. Signs and symptoms include behavioral changes and temperamental changes such as restlessness, increased vocalizations, unusual aggression, or unusual isolation. She may also experience a loss of appetite, difficulty walking, excessive drooling, dilated pupils, muscle tremors, weakness, and fever.
• Furious stage: within 2 or 3 days of symptom onset, a cat with rabies will begin to behave even more erratically. She may attempt to eat inedible objects like sticks and pebbles. She may begin to bite herself, snap at objects that aren't there (“fly biting”), behave very aggressively or violently, or become disoriented, uncoordinated, and hypersensitive to her environment. She may also begin to have seizures or start to wander.
• Paralytic stage: in this stage, an infected cat will become depressed and unresponsive. This is when she may begin foaming at the mouth. She'll have pronounced weakness and paralysis and will also have difficulty breathing. Eventually, this will deteriorate to respiratory failure and coma. Rabies is always fatal, so an infected animal will eventually die from the infection, typically within 1-2 weeks after her symptoms first appear.

How is rabies diagnosed?

It's not really possible to diagnose a cat with rabies while she is still alive. A diagnosis can be confirmed after the cat has died through a test called direct fluorescent antibody test.

How is rabies treated?

Sadly, rabies cannot be treated. If your cat is infected by rabies, she will die from the disease. It is a heartbreaking diagnosis, made worse by the fact that it can put the entire household (including humans and other pets) at serious risk.

For this reason, rabies prevention is critical. It's mandated by law in most countries that domestic cats and dogs are vaccinated against rabies. Typically, a rabies vaccine can be given to a cat when she is 3-months-old. She'll get a booster shot 1 year later, and then repeat vaccines every 1 to 3 years after that.

Upper Respiratory Infections

What is an upper respiratory infection?

An upper respiratory infection (often known as an URI) is an infection of part of a feline's respiratory system, namely the nose and throat.

What causes upper respiratory infections in cats?

A cat can get an upper respiratory infection if she is exposed to certain bacteria or viruses. About 90% of URIs in cats are caused by either the Feline Herpesvirus Type 1 (aka feline viral rhinotracheitis) or the feline calicivirus, both of which are highly contagious and can easily be spread between felines who have not been vaccinated against them.

What are the symptoms of upper respiratory infections?

Upper respiratory infections look a lot like a kitty cold. Symptoms, which typically show up 2-10 days after being exposed to the infectious organism, may include:

• nasal congestion
• sneezing
• red, itchy, watery, irritated eyes (conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the inner eyelid/outer eye membranes)
• runny discharge from the nose or eyes
• lethargy
• fever
• decreased appetite
• enlarged lymph nodes
• eye squinting (blepharospasm)

If a feline's upper respiratory infection is caused by the feline herpesvirus or feline calicivirus, then she may develop sores in her mouth.

How are upper respiratory infections treated?

An upper respiratory infection may go away on its own after about 7-10 days. But if you notice any signs or symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately. If left untreated, URIs could lead to more serious respiratory problems.

Your vet can usually diagnose an upper respiratory infection based on clinical signs alone, but tests of the nasal or eye discharge can be run to determine the specific infectious agent.

The vet may prescribe antibiotics (if the infection is caused by a bacteria), soothing eye drops, nose drops, and appetite stimulants (if the cat hasn't been eating).

If an upper respiratory infection becomes complicated or if a kitty shows signs of depression, extreme weakness, or dehydration, hospitalization may be required.

How can I protect my cat against upper respiratory infections?

It's not possible to eliminate your four-legged friend's risk of developing an upper respiratory infection. This is because URIs can be caused by a wide variety of organisms. Ensuring your cat eats a healthy diet, keeping her away from other cats if she has an impaired or under-developed immune system (e.g., she's very young, very old, or is chronically ill), and keeping a clean and hygienic home can help reduce her risk of getting sick.

Feline Worm Infestations

What are the common types of feline worms?

Feline worms are considered intestinal parasites who find their way inside a cat's digestive tract.

The most common types of worms infecting cats are:

• Roundworms: adults grow up to 3 to 4 inches long, and look a bit like spaghetti
• Hookworms: adults are typically less than 1 inch long; they feed on their host animal's blood and can lead to severe anemia
• Tapeworms: these are flat segmented worms that can reach up to 28 inches long

What are symptoms of worms in cats?

A feline could be infected with worms for days, weeks, months, or even years without ever showing any clear signs or symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Gastrointestinal upset (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, and/or vomiting)
• Blood in the stool
• Weight loss
• Distended belly and bloating
• Worms or worm segments that are actually visible in the cat's feces or around its anus (if a tapeworm infestation; they resemble wriggling grains of rice)

A less common type of worm is the lungworm. As the name implies, these worms lodge in a cat's lungs. This may lead to a persistent cough and difficulty breathing, but not always.

Can worms be transmitted from animals to humans?

Yes. Hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms are “zoonotic” illnesses, which means they can be passed from cats to humans.

How are feline worm infestations treated?

Your vet will need to perform a clinical examination and may need to run tests of your pet's fecal matter before determining what type of worm she has. Once a diagnosis has been made, the vet may prescribe oral de-worming medications to kill the parasites.

How are feline worm infestations prevented?

Preventing a feline worm infestation is easier, less stressful, and less expensive than treating one. So, ask your vet about a regular preventive medication routine, especially flea and tick prevention.

Here are a few other ways to protect your animal (and yourself!) against worm infestations:

• Clean out the litter box often.
• Use gloves and practice good hand hygiene when changing her litter box or handling her feces.

Lastly, you may want to consider making your cat an indoors-cat only. This will help her avoid exposure to other infected animals, fleas, and fecal matter.

Cancer in Cats

What causes cancer in cats?

Cancer is a broad term. As a disease affecting many living organisms, it happens when abnormal cells grow in an out-of-control way. This typically leads to the growth of tumors and to the death of healthy cells and body tissue. Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in older cats.

A number of factors can increase a kitty's risk of developing cancer. This may include genetics, exposure to known environmental carcinogens (things that can cause cancer, like certain household chemicals and smoke), the presence of other health conditions (like obesity and feline diabetes), advancing age, and lifestyle (including sun exposure, activity level, and nutrition).

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of skin and mouth cancer in cats. It often occurs in or around the mouth or on other areas of the animal's skin.

How can I tell if my cat has cancer?

Signs of cancer in cats can be difficult to spot. You may notice no symptoms at all, or see any of the following:

• Lumps and bumps that can be felt or seen
• Diarrhea and vomiting (if the intestinal system is affected)
• Difficulty in breathing (if the lungs are affected)
• Lethargy (your feline simply may not look well)
• Rough or unhealthy-looking coat
• Refusal to eat and/or unexplained weight loss

What should I do if I think my cat has cancer?

Cancer is less common in cats than it is in dogs. Unfortunately, feline cancer tends to be more aggressive compared to canine cancer. This does not mean your cat will definitely die from the disease if she develops it, but early treatment is critical to increasing her chances of survival.

So, if you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, then bring her to a vet right away.

How is feline cancer diagnosed and treated?

Like with humans and dogs, the earlier a diagnosis of cancer is made, the better your furry friend's chances of recovery are. This is especially true because cancer found in cats is usually more aggressive than cancer found in dogs.

A cancer diagnosis can be made with a biopsy (testing of a tissue sample taken from the animal). Your vet may also use other tests and procedures, including lab work, to determine if your pet has cancer.

Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment can begin, which may include radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery. Many things will determine what the best course of treatment is for your animal, including the type of cancer she has and what stage the cancer is in.

How can I prevent my cat from getting cancer?

You can't completely eliminate your kitty's risk for developing cancer. But you can drastically improve her chances of staying healthy, or, if necessary, get earlier diagnosis and treatment by taking her to your vet on a regular basis.

You can reduce the risk of your pet getting lymphoma by having her get vaccinated against the feline leukemia virus. If your four-legged family member has light-colored fur or hair, try to avoid the risk of solar-related carcinomas.

Lastly, avoid her exposure to things like cigarette smoke and harsh household chemicals, and ensure she's eating a complete and balanced diet for her life stage. Cats are obligate carnivores, so animal protein should be the foundation of that diet.

High-Rise Syndrome

What is high-rise syndrome?

True to its name, high-rise syndrome happens when a cat falls from a height of two stories or more (roughly 20 feet or 6 meters and up). A feline may take a tumble from a tall building, a tree, or even a bridge or high ledge of some sort.

High-rise syndrome isn't a specific disease, but can include any number of injuries that you may expect with blunt force trauma and falling from a great height. This includes:

• Bone fractures (including legs, ribs, jaw, and teeth)
• Acute damage to tendons, ligaments, joints, and other types of connective tissue injuries
• Internal injuries, such as damage to lungs and other organs

How is high-rise syndrome treated?

Certain studies have found that felines who have fallen and are still alive when brought to the emergency vet clinic have a 90% survival rate. This means that in the scary and unfortunate event that your kitty is injured in a fall, the sooner you can bring her to the vet the better.

Treatment, of course, depends on what type of bodily damage is sustained. Your local vet clinic's emergency triage team will work expeditiously and thoroughly to manage your pet's injuries.

How can I prevent my cat from getting high-rise syndrome?

Obviously, the best way to prevent your animal from falling from a great height is to make sure she doesn't have access to great heights. To do this, you may decide to make her an indoors-only pet. If you have a high indoor balcony, you may need to block this off using gates. You should also ensure that screens are securely installed in all your windows.