How Do I Tell If My Cat Needs A Veterinarian?

​It is important that whenever you feel that your cat might be suffering from or is showing any symptoms of the grief that we listed above, you speak to your veterinarian or go in for an exam. If your cat is showing any of these symptoms, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you notice your cat has lost weight or is eating less, contact your vet. If you notice changes in your cats behavior or your cats elimination, make sure you call your vet. Whenever you notice anything different, even a subtle change, in your cats behaviors or habits, or whenever things seem to just be off, call your vet.
So, if you are seeing signs or symptoms of something being off, like sudden changes in your cats behavior, you have got to be the best pet parent you can and take this cat to see us.
Even the most subtle signs of disease in cats can mean there is a major problem, so there is no such thing as being too cautious. A change in litter-box habits, especially in male cats, may suggest serious health problems. Urinating or defecating outside of the litter box could be an indication of renal stones or feline interstitial cystitis, or your cat could just be suffering from arthritis and finding it painful to get to the litter box.
Cats who suffer from joint or bone pain also may find it difficult to get into their litter box, so they may begin to urinate and/or defecate outside of their box. As long as the litter boxes are clean, and no recent changes in environment have occurred (new cats, new babies, changes in housing), improper urination is usually a symptom of low urinary obstruction or infections, which are very serious conditions. If your cat is making frequent trips to the litter box, or showing signs of distress at the litter box, such as straining or crying, she or he could be suffering from a urinary tract infection, or even blockage, which is a very serious condition.
If your cat suddenly starts peeing outside of the litter box, straining and crying when producing very little urine, or starts to groom excessively around his or her genital areas, consult a vet right away. Not being able to pee is potentially fatal, so if you notice these behaviors--especially if you have heard your cat crying or straining when using the litter box--contact your vet right away. Cats who do not use the litter box, cats who have blood in their urine or feces, and cats who have diarrhea, along with other signs of disease, need to be seen by your veterinarian.

If your cat is vomiting frequently, has blood in their vomit, or the vomiting is accompanied by lethargy, your pet should be seen by a vet soon. If the cat has diarrhea, is vomiting repeatedly, has fever, is truly listless, or has a wound or toxic reaction, it is a cat who needs immediate medical attention. However, there are times when your cat might show some symptoms, and you are not sure whether it needs to go to the vet or take a wait-and-see attitude at home.
If your cat shows any one of the symptoms listed above for more than 12 hours (or none, if your cat cannot pee), or more than one of these symptoms for any amount of time, I would recommend calling your vet immediately. If your cat is showing any of the conditions listed above, please call us to schedule an appointment.
If you have an older cat, ask your veterinarian how frequently you should take the pet for routine checkups. Some veterinarians recommend checking older cats (9 years or older) once every 6 months. The American Association of Boarding Kennels recommends all pets should be seen by their veterinarian at least once per year, perhaps more if a cat has special medical needs.
We generally recommend an annual well-checkup for healthy adult cats, but kittens, older cats, and cats with underlying health conditions need to be seen by the kittens vet more often for an examination. Even if they never leave home, indoor cats can still get a variety of diseases and conditions, and still require vaccinations, so taking them to the vet every year is essential. Indoor cats can develop a variety of illnesses and conditions that are not related to the outside world, like weight problems, hormonal problems, genetic conditions, and tumors, among other ailments, so it is important to see them at the vet for regular check-ups.
If your cat has sore teeth or gums, tartar, gingivitis, or you notice a foul smell coming out of his mouth, call your veterinarian. If your cat does not feel well enough to eat, or is vomiting frequently, has problems peeing or defecating, or is listless and does not move much, bring them to your vet. You should tell the vet about any things that you have noticed, such as if your sick cat is not eating, or you hear the cat crying, or any other unusual behaviors.
If your cat is vocalizing, missing your cats litter box, jumping in/out quickly, or does not dig into the litter, it could be medical problems, or your cat does not like litter.
If you notice your cats water bowl is emptying quicker than normal, or that your feline pal is seeking water from unusual sources -- such as your toilet or tap -- it may be a serious problem. While cats may catch an occasional cold, if you notice your cat has discharge in his eyes or nose, accompanied by sneezing or a shortage of breath, this may be an indication of an upper respiratory infection requiring veterinary care. If you are concerned your cat might be experiencing any of these symptoms listed above, make sure you attend a local vet clinic.