Cats cannot tell us where something hurts. Often, the first useful clue is a change in an ordinary routine: a missed meal, a different sound while breathing, or an unusual visit to the litter box.
On September 25, 2026, the Feline Veterinary Medical Association introduced a Cat Friendly Resource Center to help veterinary teams reduce barriers to feline care. For cat caregivers, the practical takeaway is simple: notice changes early and share clear observations with a veterinarian. The signs below can have several causes; they are reasons to seek guidance, not a way to diagnose your cat at home.
Sneezing, Discharge, or Breathing Changes
Sneezing, coughing, discharge from the eyes or nose, tiredness, and reduced appetite can occur with feline respiratory infections. Similar signs may have different causes, so note when they began, whether your cat is eating, and whether breathing looks comfortable. Call your veterinarian for advice and an examination if symptoms develop or worsen.
Seek emergency veterinary care if your cat is struggling to breathe. Difficult or rapid breathing can signal a serious respiratory problem. Do not wait to see whether a new food or home remedy helps. Cornell Feline Health Center explains respiratory signs and their possible causes.
Vomiting or Diarrhea
One isolated episode of vomiting may not have the same meaning as repeated vomiting. Contact your veterinarian promptly if vomiting happens frequently or comes with weakness, reduced appetite, blood, unusual thirst or urination, or diarrhea. For diarrhea, record when it started and what the stool looks like; a photo may help your veterinary team.
Avoid giving over-the-counter medicines or making a sudden diet change to “treat” diarrhea without veterinary guidance. Digestive signs can arise for many reasons, and the right response depends on the cause. Cornell’s vomiting guide and Cat Friendly Homes’ diarrhea guidance explain what information to bring to an appointment.
Straining or Repeated Litter Box Visits
Frequent attempts to urinate, crying in the litter box, blood in urine, or urinating outside the box all warrant a call to your veterinarian. These signs do not identify one specific disease.
If your cat is trying to urinate but produces little or no urine, go to an emergency veterinarian immediately. A urinary blockage is an absolute emergency and can become life-threatening. Do not assume the problem is a dislike of the litter or wait for another box visit to confirm it. Tell the clinic what you have observed, including the last time you saw urine. Cornell’s guide to feline lower urinary tract disease describes the warning signs.
Bad Breath or Changes in Eating
Dental discomfort can be easy to miss. Watch for persistent bad breath, red or bleeding gums, drooling, food falling from the mouth, chewing on one side, or pawing at the mouth. A cat may continue eating even when its mouth hurts.
Arrange a veterinary dental assessment if you notice these changes. Rather than trying to inspect a painful mouth forcefully, describe what happens during meals and let your veterinarian decide what examination is needed. Cat Friendly Homes lists common signs of feline dental problems.
Know Your Cat’s Normal
A brief note about appetite, energy, breathing, stool, and urination can make a veterinary call more useful. At Puresa, we believe daily care should make it easier to notice when something changes. Whether your household uses Petia, Silitter, or another litter, regular observation of the box is valuable; litter itself cannot diagnose or treat a health problem.
When a change worries you, contact your veterinarian. When breathing is difficult or urine is not passing, seek emergency care.