How to Know When Your Cat Needs a Vet Appointment

Cats are notoriously private about how they feel. Unlike dogs, who wear their emotions on their sleeve (and their face, and their whole body), cats are masters at masking discomfort and illness. It's an instinct rooted in survival — in the wild, showing weakness attracts predators. But in your home, it means that by the time your cat is visibly unwell, they may have been struggling for longer than you realize. At CAWLM Veterinary Hospital + Spa in Houston, one of the most common things we hear from cat owners is, "I didn't realize anything was wrong until it got really bad." Here are the signs we want every Houston cat owner to know.

1. Changes in Litter Box Habits

This is one of the most important things to monitor in a cat. Any of the following warrant a call to your veterinarian:

• Straining to urinate or producing little to no urine — this can be a life-threatening emergency, especially in male cats

• Blood in the urine or stool

• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box (this is often a sign of pain or stress, not behavioral issues)

• Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours

• Constipation or no bowel movements for more than 48 hours

Urinary blockages in male cats are a true emergency. If your male cat is straining and producing no urine, go to a veterinary hospital immediately.

2. Changes in Eating or Drinking

• Not eating for more than 24–48 hours is concerning in any cat, but especially in overweight cats — fat mobilization during food refusal can cause hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), which can be life-threatening

• Eating significantly more or less than usual can signal thyroid disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or dental pain

• Drinking much more water than usual is a classic sign of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes — all very common in middle-aged and senior cats

At CAWLM, we carry a range of pet friendly tools that makes it a little easier to detect these changes at home, allowing pet parents to enact quickly.

3. Weight Loss

Weight loss in cats is almost always significant — even if your cat still seems to be eating normally. Gradual weight loss can be easy to miss, especially in long-haired cats. Run your hands along your cat's spine and ribs regularly. If you can feel the bones more prominently than usual, schedule a veterinary exam. Common causes of weight loss in cats include hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer — most of which are very manageable when caught early.

4. Vomiting More Than Usual

The occasional hairball is normal. But frequent vomiting — more than once or twice a week — is not. Chronic vomiting can indicate inflammatory bowel disease, food sensitivities, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, or intestinal parasites. If your cat is vomiting frequently, bring a sample (if possible) and a description of the frequency and appearance to your veterinary appointment.

5. Changes in Behavior or Personality

Cats don't change their personalities without reason. Watch for:

• Hiding more than usual

• Uncharacteristic aggression or irritability — often a sign of pain

• Sudden clinginess in a normally independent cat

• Decreased interest in play or interaction

• Staring into space or seeming disoriented

These behavioral shifts are often the first — and sometimes only — visible sign that something is wrong.

6. Respiratory Changes

Any difficulty breathing in a cat is an emergency. But also watch for:

• Open-mouth breathing (almost never normal in cats unless they are extremely overheated or stressed)

• Rapid or labored breathing at rest

• Persistent coughing or wheezing

• Nasal discharge or congestion lasting more than a few days

Respiratory symptoms in cats can escalate quickly. Don't wait on these.

7. Eye or Ear Changes

• Discharge from the eyes, cloudiness, or visible third eyelid (the white membrane at the inner corner of the eye) often signals illness or infection

• Scratching at the ears, head shaking, dark discharge, or odor from the ears indicates an ear infection or ear mites — both treatable but uncomfortable if left unaddressed

• Squinting or holding one eye closed is a sign of pain and should be evaluated promptly

8. Coat and Skin Changes

A healthy cat has a clean, lustrous coat. Warning signs include:

• Dull, greasy, or unkempt coat — cats stop grooming when they don't feel well or when they can't reach certain areas due to pain or obesity

• Excessive grooming or hair loss in patches — can indicate allergies, skin parasites, or stress

• Visible dandruff, scabs, or lesions

• Lumps or bumps anywhere on the body

Don't Wait — Cats Decline Quickly

Because cats hide illness so effectively, by the time symptoms become obvious, the condition may be more advanced. The safest approach is to trust your instincts — if something feels off, even if you can't pinpoint exactly what, it probably is. You know your cat better than anyone.

Book a cat wellness exam at CAWLM — our Houston veterinary team has extensive experience with feline patients and will give your cat the thorough, attentive exam they deserve.

Located at 4902 San Jacinto Street in Houston's Museum District. Proudly serving cat owners across Houston, TX and surrounding communities.