Common cat diseases & health problems

It’s hard to imagine anything happening to your purrfect feline friend. But if the worst was to happen, it’s best to be aware of the most common cat diseases they could be at risk of.

What are the most common cat diseases?

Cats can be pretty good at hiding what’s wrong, so as a cat parent you need to know the key signs and symptoms of cat health problems. From fleas to flu, there are several illnesses that you may need to deal with as a cat owner.

The best way to make sure your feline is fit and well is to keep up with their regular vet check-ups. This way, your vet should be able to tell if anything is wrong. If there is something out of the ordinary, there is a much better chance of them catching it early.

Cat illnesses present themselves differently, but common signs that your cat is unwell include:

• Hiding more than usual
• Change in drinking and eating habits
• Reduced appetite 
• Sudden weight loss 

Fleas

Fleas are a very common illness in cats – and dogs. You’ll be able to tell your cat has fleas if they are scratching more. You might notice flea bites on their body, or you may even be able to see the fleas on their fur. 

Outdoor cats are likely to pick up fleas in moist and shady areas – like leaf piles or in shrubs. They can also contract them from other cats or rodents.

But indoor cats are not immune to fleas either, as they can enter the house through clothing, shoes and bags. They are at risk of picking up fleas from other animals in the house, as they can jump from animal to animal.

To stop your cat from getting fleas, you need to treat them regularly with a preventative treatment. You should also vacuum and wash your pet’s bedding on a hot wash to kill any eggs.

Ticks

Ticks are a type of parasite that can affect dogs and cats. Unlike fleas, ticks don’t jump. But they can crawl onto your feline friend.  They’re most common in woodland and grassy areas between spring and autumn.

You may be able to spot the cat tick as an egg-shaped creepy crawly. They attach themselves to your cat and feed on their blood. Once they’re finished, they’ll drop off.

They’re not usually dangerous but they can spread bacteria and diseases like Lyme disease and babesiosis – although these conditions are rare in the UK. So, it’s important to remove ticks as soon you can – but safely. Pet shops sell handy dog and cat tick removal devices, but if you’re unsure, ask your vet for advice.

When removing a tick from a cat you must not squeeze the body, as this could cause blood to get back inside your cat, which could cause an infection. Also, there’s a risk you could pull the tick’s body off and leave its head inside your cat’s skin.

To prevent cat ticks in the future, you can get spot-on treatments, tablets and collars from your vet.

Worms

Cats can catch a variety of intestinal parasites. Some of these are referred to as worms. You may notice that your cat is itchy around its bottom, or it may have an upset stomach. You may also see parts of the worm in their bed or faeces. 

Your feline friend could catch worms from another infected animal. They may also catch them from eating raw meat infected with parasites or through eating worm eggs in faeces.

To prevent your cat from getting worms you should administer a routine worming treatment. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment and method for your cat.

Cat flu

Cat flu is a common sickness in cats. It’s similar to a human cold and affects your cat’s upper respiratory tract.

It’s caused by viruses and bacteria and can make your cat feel poorly with aches and pains, runny nose and eyes and a sore throat.

80% of cat flu cases are caused by Feline Herpesvirus (FHV) or Feline Calicivirus (FCV), but it can also be caused by Chlamydophila Felis. You can vaccinate your cat against some strains of FCV. If your cat is vaccinated, they tend to have much milder symptoms. 

Luckily, cat flu is not often serious in adult cats, but it’s still important that you take your cat to the vets if they catch it.

Can cats get colds?

Yes, cats can get colds. The most common cause of cat colds is viral infections. Outdoor cats are more likely to catch a cold as it’s contagious and they may come into contact with infected cats, but indoor cats can still be at risk.

Cats can feel cold and if your cat is allowed outside, try to encourage them to stay inside in extreme weather. But if your cat does have a snowy adventure, dry them off so they can get cosy indoors.

Cat colds and flu have similar symptoms, including:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Runny eyes or nose
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Sores in the mouth
• Corneal ulcers

If your cat is sneezing or has the sniffles, it could be a sign they have a cold. To help your poorly pet feel more comfortable, you can wipe their nose with a clean cloth, and their eyes with saline solution. If they seem really stuffed up, you could try putting them in their carrier with a bowl of hot water in front of it. Place a blanket over both and leave for 15 minutes.

If your cat is showing any signs of a viral infection, take them to the vets for an examination. Your vet can diagnose them appropriately and advise the best course of action – whether it’s a cold or flu.

If the cat is coughing, struggling to breathe or isn’t eating or drinking take them to the vets straight away.

Cancer

Just as in humans, cancer is a type of disease where cells grow uncontrollably and invade other cells. The disease can be localised as a tumour or generalised and spread throughout the body.

The symptoms of cat cancer vary depending on the type, but some things to keep an eye out for include:

• Lumps
• Sores that do not heal
• Loss of weight or appetite
• Lethargy 
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing 
• Limping

The best way to reduce the likelihood of your cat developing cancer is to keep them healthy. Feed them high quality cat food and establish a routine with plenty of exercise. It’s also worth limiting their sun exposure – particularly for white cats who are at greater risk of skin cancer as their fur provides less UV protection and their skin has less pigment.

You may vaccinate your cat against Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) to reduce the risk of them developing leukaemia and lymphoma. Castrating male cats can also reduce the risk of them catching Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), which can make them more likely to develop cancer. Spaying your female cat while she’s young decreases the chances of her catching breast cancer.

Diabetes

Like humans, cats can develop diabetes. It’s caused by lack of insulin or the body’s lack of response to it.

Signs of diabetes may include:

• Drinking more
• Sleeping more
• Unexplained weight loss

As overweight cats are more at risk of developing the disease, it’s important to feed your feline friend a balanced diet to try and keep them at a healthy weight. Best to go easy on the treats too.

Feline Leukeamia Virus 

Feline Leukeamia Virus is one of the most common cat diseases. It severely damages their immune system and causes them to be more susceptible to a number of cat health problems like anaemia, kidney disease and certain cancers. 

It’s more common in young cats and kittens as it can be passed on through birth – if the mother is FeLV positive. It can also be caught through direct contact with an infected cat.

Symptoms of FeLV are varied but can include:

• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Pale or inflamed gums
• Abscesses
• Fever
• Diarrhoea and vomiting

Feline Parvovirus  

Feline Parvovirus is a potentially fatal kitten sickness but also causes serious illness in adult cats. The best way to prevent your cat from catching feline parvovirus is to vaccinate them against the disease.

The main symptoms to look out for include:

• Vomiting 
• Watery Diarrhoea
• High temperature
• Lack of appetite 
• Stomach pain 

Hairballs 

Cat hairballs are a by-product of their grooming routine. Their tongue has backward-facing barbs that can pick up stray hairs as they groom themselves, so they end up swallowing some hair.

The builds up in their gut and passes out safely when they go to the toilet. If this doesn’t pass, the cat will vomit up the hairball.

It’s very natural for your cat to cough up a fur ball from time to time – although it may sound dramatic.

It’s not usually something to worry about, but if your cat keeps getting hairballs, they can’t cough up the hairball, or their symptoms last more than a few days, book a check-up to be safe.

Stress

Cats don’t always wear their heart on their paw. Be extra aware of their unique cat behaviour so you can tell if something’s wrong.

Cats can experience stress just like other animals and from a number of things. Whether a a new pet has joined the family, or you’ve moved house, there are various circumstances that could trigger stress.

Signs of cat stress include:

• Being more withdrawn
• Hiding more than usual
• Reluctant to use the litter tray or to go through the cat flap
• Eating or drinking less
• Scratching furniture
• Overgrooming
• Excessively meowing

If you notice signs of cat stress or any changes in your cat’s behaviour, it’s best to take them to the vets to make sure everything’s okay. They may suggest you alter your environment or change their routine.

How to prevent your cat from getting sick

It’s scary when our furry friends take a turn for the worst and having a sick cat can be costly. The best thing that you can do to prevent your cat from getting ill is to be clued up on the signs and symptoms of common cat diseases.

It’s also a good idea to vaccinate your cat to greatly reduce the risk of them catching some of the most harmful sicknesses.

Pet insurance for cats can help to take some of the financial pressure away if your cat is diagnosed with one of these common cat illnesses.