Cats are experts at hiding discomfort. The often subtle signs may go unnoticed, but that doesn’t mean they’re free from health issues. In fact, some conditions are prevalent in cats, especially as they age. Understanding the most common cat health problems – and knowing what signs to watch for – can make all the difference in catching issues early and supporting your feline friend’s well-being.
So, that’s what we’re covering today: what these issues are, how common they are, the most common causes, and the key signs to watch for.
The 10 Most Common Cat Health Problems
We want to be able to do the best we can for our fur babies. Part of that is being prepared and knowing what can spring up. That means knowing what the most common cat health problems are and how you can help.
1. Dental Disease
- What it is: Plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and painful tooth resorption.
- How common: Affects most cats over 3 years old if dental care isn’t maintained.
- Causes: Lack of dental cleaning, diet, and genetics.
- Signs to watch for: Bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating, pawing at the mouth, red or bleeding gums.
- How to help: read this post.
2. Obesity
- What it is: Excess body fat that puts stress on joints, organs, and overall health.
- How common: More than 50% of cats are overweight or obese.
- Causes: Overfeeding, lack of exercise (especially indoor cats), high-carb diets.
- Signs to watch for: No waistline, difficulty grooming, lethargy, shortness of breath, reluctance to jump or play.
- How to help: read this post.
3. Hairballs (Trichobezoars)
- What it is: Accumulated hair in the stomach that cats cough up. While occasional hairballs are normal, frequent ones may signal a problem.
- How common: Very common, especially in long-haired breeds.
- Causes: Excessive grooming, long fur, digestive issues, or underlying skin problems.
- Signs to watch for: Frequent hacking/coughing, vomiting hairballs often, constipation, loss of appetite.
- How to help: check out this post.
4. Fleas and Ticks
- What it is: External parasites like fleas and ticks.
- How common: Extremely common in outdoor cats and kittens.
- Causes: Contact with infected animals, soil, or prey (like rodents).
- Signs to watch for: Scratching, hair loss, scabs, visible bugs.
- How to help: read this post.
5. Urinary Tract Problems (FLUTD)
- What it is: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) includes infections, bladder stones, and urinary blockages.
- How common: Very common, especially in male cats. Urinary blockages can be life-threatening.
- Causes: Stress, dehydration, obesity, poor diet, genetics.
- Signs to watch for: Straining in the litter box, frequent trips to urinate, blood in urine, crying out in pain, urinating outside the litter box.
- How to help: check this out.
6. Kidney Disease
- What it is: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste effectively.
- How common: One of the most common diseases in older cats.
- Causes: Age, genetics, infections, toxins.
- Signs to watch for: Increased thirst and urination, weight loss, poor coat condition, vomiting, bad breath (ammonia-like smell), lethargy.
- How to help: read this post.
7. Arthritis
- What it is: Joint inflammation that leads to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility.
- How common: Surprisingly common in senior cats – studies suggest over 60% of cats over 6 years old show signs of arthritis.
- Causes: Aging, past injuries, obesity, or joint abnormalities.
- Signs to watch for: Reluctance to jump or climb, stiffness when waking up, decreased grooming, hiding more often, irritability when touched, changes in litter box habits (difficulty climbing in/out).
- How to help: read this post.
8. Heart Disease
- Signs to watch for: Rapid or labored breathing, lethargy, fainting/collapsing, decreased appetite, sudden hind-leg paralysis (caused by blood clots).
- What it is: A range of conditions that affect the heart’s ability to function properly. The most common in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart muscle thickens and can’t pump blood effectively.
- How common: One of the most common heart conditions in cats, especially in middle-aged to older males. Certain breeds like Maine Coons and Ragdolls are predisposed.
- Causes: Genetics, age, high blood pressure, or sometimes secondary to other illnesses like hyperthyroidism.
- How to help: check out this post.
9. Respiratory Infections
- What it is: Viral or bacterial infections affecting the upper respiratory tract, often called “cat colds.”
- How common: Very common, especially in kittens and shelter cats.
- Causes: Feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, or bacteria.
- Signs to watch for: Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, congestion, loss of appetite.
- How to help: read this next.
10. Cancer
- What it is: Abnormal cell growth, which may form tumors or spread internally. Lymphoma is one of the most common types in cats.
- How common: A leading cause of death in senior cats.
- Causes: Age, genetics, viral infections (like FeLV), environmental toxins.
- Signs to watch for: Lumps or swelling, unexplained weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, wounds that don’t heal.
- How to help: read our extensive cancer guide here.
Cats are masters at hiding illness, which is why paying close attention is so important. With most of these, a visit with your trusted holistic veterinarian is a good idea. And, by learning the early warning signs of the most common cat health problems, you can catch problems before they become serious and give your feline companion the best possible care.
