Common Signs and Symptoms of a Sick Cat

General:

• Bad breath
• Change in appetite or water intake/output
• Change in behavior or routine
• Growling/hissing/inappropriate meowing or vocalization
• Hiding
• Limping
• Sleeping more than normal, acting mopey or lethargic
• Unable to sit or lie down comfortably. (Painful)
• Weight loss
• Digestive System:
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
• Hair coat/Skin:
  
  • Matted or oily hair coat/hair loss
  • Scratching/licking/biting at fur, skin, feet, ears
  • Visible wounds or lesions
• Respiratory:
  • Breathing fast or shallow.  Breathing with mouth open.
  • Congestion
  • Coughing
  • Loss of or change in meow
  • Runny nose
  • Runny or glassy looking eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Squinting eyes or visible 3rd eyelids
• Urinary:
  • Going to the litter box frequently
  • Straining/trying to urinate with no or little success
  • Urinating in places other than the litter box (look for blood)
  • Very small or very large amounts of urine in the box