FELINE HEALTH LIBRARY
Cats
Explore feline nutrition, indoor-cat risks, vaccinations, urinary emergencies, heartworm prevention and subtle signs of illness or pain.
Browse 84 species-specific guides ↓
START WITH THE ESSENTIALS
Useful first steps for cats.
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Cats health guides
Choose the topic that matches your question, then bring species-specific concerns to a veterinarian familiar with your animal.
Wellness & Prevention
Vaccines for CatsCore, feline leukemia virus & safetyRead article →Kitten Vaccine TimelineSeries, boosters & missed visitsRead article →Indoor Cats & VaccinesWhy lower risk is not zero riskRead article →Vaccine ReactionsWhat is normal & when to callRead article →Senior Cat HealthHealthy aging, screening & home supportRead article →Quality of LifeGoals of care & caregiver planningRead article →
Nutrition
Symptoms & Diseases
Chronic Kidney DiseaseThirst, weight change, testing and ongoing supportRead article →Feline HyperthyroidismWeight loss, appetite changes and thyroid testingRead article →Diabetes MellitusThirst, urination, nutrition and monitoringRead article →Feline Lower Urinary Tract DiseaseUrinary discomfort, testing and obstruction warningsRead article →Feline AsthmaCoughing, breathing changes and respiratory emergenciesRead article →Heart DiseaseBreathing effort, heart imaging and emergency signsRead article →Feline Leukemia VirusTransmission, testing, prevention and ongoing careRead article →Feline Immunodeficiency VirusTesting, transmission and individualized monitoringRead article →OsteoarthritisSubtle pain, reduced jumping and comfort at homeRead article →Overweight and ObesityBody condition, gradual change and veterinary guidanceRead article →Recognizing PainMovement, behavior & comfortRead article →Corneal Ulcers in Dogs and CatsA corneal ulcer is a wound on the normally clear surface at the front of the eye. Even a small wound is painful; deep or infected ulcers can threaten sight or rupture the eye.Read article →Glaucoma in Dogs and CatsGlaucoma is pressure buildup inside the eye that damages the nerve carrying visual information to the brain. Sudden glaucoma is painful and can cause irreversible blindness quickly.Read article →Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in Dogs and CatsImmune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA, occurs when the immune system destroys red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen, so rapid destruction can make an animal critically ill.Read article →Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia in Dogs and CatsImmune-mediated thrombocytopenia means the immune system destroys platelets, the small blood components that help stop bleeding. A very low platelet count can cause bleeding without an obvious injury.Read article →Pyometra in Dogs and CatsPyometra is an infected uterus, usually in an unspayed female dog or cat. Pus and toxins can lead to bloodstream infection and shock; it is a surgical emergency, not a routine heat-cycle discharge.Read article →Anal Sac Disease in Dogs and CatsAnal sac disease affects the small scent sacs beside the anus. Blocked material, inflammation or infection can cause pain; an abscess may rupture through nearby skin.Read article →Patellar Luxation in Dogs and CatsPatellar luxation means the kneecap slips out of the groove where it should move. Repeated slipping can alter walking and contribute to joint pain and arthritis.Read article →Stomatitis in CatsFeline stomatitis is severe, painful inflammation in the mouth, often extending beyond the gums. It is different from simple tartar buildup and can make eating or grooming difficult.Read article →Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in CatsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, thickens the heart muscle and makes filling less effective. Some cats have no outward signs; others develop fluid buildup or blood clots.Read article →Aortic Thromboembolism in CatsAortic thromboembolism occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to a limb, often at the artery supplying both back legs. It is intensely painful and is commonly associated with heart disease.Read article →Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, is an inflammatory illness associated with feline coronavirus. Most coronavirus-exposed cats do not develop FIP. Disease can affect the abdomen, chest, eyes or nervous system.Read article →Feline PanleukopeniaFeline panleukopenia is a highly contagious parvovirus infection that damages the intestines and reduces infection-fighting blood cells. Kittens and unvaccinated cats can become critically ill quickly.Read article →Feline Calicivirus InfectionFeline calicivirus is a contagious virus that commonly affects the mouth and upper respiratory tract. Some infections are mild, while uncommon severe forms can cause widespread illness.Read article →Feline Herpesvirus InfectionFeline herpesvirus causes respiratory and eye disease and can remain dormant after infection. Stress or other illness can reactivate it, so later flare-ups do not always mean a new exposure.Read article →Cryptococcosis in CatsCryptococcosis is a fungal infection usually acquired from environmental organisms. In cats it often affects the nose, but it can spread to eyes, skin or the nervous system.Read article →Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in CatsEosinophilic granuloma complex describes several inflammatory skin and mouth lesions in cats. Eosinophils are immune cells involved in allergic responses; the label is not a diagnosis of the underlying trigger.Read article →Mammary Tumors in CatsMammary tumors are lumps in the tissue along a cat's chain of mammary glands. Many feline mammary tumors are malignant, so a small lump deserves prompt investigation rather than watchful waiting.Read article →Acute Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and CatsSudden vomiting or diarrhea can be mild, but toxins, foreign bodies, pancreatitis, infection and systemic disease can look similar at first.Read article →Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and CatsA bacterial urinary infection can cause painful, frequent urination, but stones, inflammation and obstruction can cause nearly identical signs.Read article →Anemia in Dogs and CatsAnemia means there are too few circulating red blood cells; it is a finding with many possible causes, not a diagnosis by itself.Read article →High Blood Pressure in Dogs and CatsPersistent high blood pressure can damage the eyes, kidneys, brain and heart and often occurs alongside another disease.Read article →Upper Respiratory Infections in CatsContagious respiratory infections commonly cause sneezing, eye discharge and nasal congestion, especially in kittens and multi-cat settings.Read article →Constipation and Megacolon in CatsConstipation causes difficult or infrequent stool passage; repeated severe episodes can stretch the colon and lead to megacolon.Read article →Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver) in CatsWhen a cat—especially an overweight cat—stops eating, fat can accumulate in the liver and cause life-threatening liver dysfunction.Read article →Allergic Skin DiseaseItchy, inflamed skin can involve fleas, environmental allergy, food-related reactions, secondary infection or overlapping causes.Read article →Otitis Externa: Outer Ear InflammationInflammation of the outer ear canal may involve allergy, yeast, bacteria, mites, moisture, foreign material or an underlying structural issue.Read article →PancreatitisInflammation of the pancreas can cause appetite loss, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration or subtle illness, with signs differing between dogs and cats.Read article →Seizure DisordersSeizures can result from epilepsy, toxins, metabolic problems, brain disease or other causes and require careful veterinary assessment.Read article →Dental and Periodontal DiseaseDisease affecting the teeth, gums or surrounding bone can cause pain even when an animal continues eating normally.Read article →
Parasites
Household FleasCat, dog & human fleas, life cycle and controlRead article →Ticks in Dogs & CatsSpecies, removal, disease risk & preventionRead article →Mites in Dogs & CatsSarcoptic mange, Demodex & ear mitesRead article →Intestinal ParasitesWorms, protozoa, testing & preventionRead article →Heartworm Disease in CatsRisk, testing & preventionRead article →
Diagnostics
Procedures & Therapies
Anesthesia and sedationHow a tailored anesthesia plan supports comfortable procedures, and what owners can do before admission and during recovery.Read article →Spay and neuterPlanning reproductive surgery, choosing timing, and recognizing when recovery needs veterinary attention.Read article →Dental cleaning and extractionsWhy complete dental assessment includes more than visible tartar, and how cleaning, imaging, and extractions fit together.Read article →Biopsy and histopathologyWhat a tissue sample can reveal, why results take time, and how to plan the next decision after a pathology report.Read article →EndoscopyHow a camera examination and carefully selected samples can investigate digestive or other internal problems.Read article →Blood transfusionsWhy blood products may be needed, how compatibility is checked, and what a transfusion can and cannot accomplish.Read article →Fluid therapyWhy veterinary fluids need an individual prescription, ongoing reassessment, and careful monitoring for too much as well as too little.Read article →Oxygen therapyHow supplemental oxygen supports a struggling patient while the veterinary team treats the cause of the breathing problem.Read article →Feeding tubes and assisted nutritionWhy nutritional support may be recommended before appetite returns, and how families can prepare for safe home care.Read article →Wound care and bandagesWhy wound treatment may change over time, how bandages protect healing tissue, and which changes need prompt reassessment.Read article →Pain managementA practical guide to recognizing pain, choosing veterinary treatment, and measuring whether your dog or cat feels and functions better.Read article →Rehabilitation and physical therapyUnderstand how veterinary rehabilitation supports movement and recovery, and how a tailored home plan differs from simply doing more exercise.Read article →Cancer chemotherapyAn owner guide to chemotherapy goals, appointment planning, side effects, and safe care at home for dogs and cats.Read article →Radiation therapyLearn why radiation may be offered for a pet’s tumor, how treatment is planned, and what care is needed during and after a course.Read article →Immunosuppressive therapy for immune-mediated hemolytic anemiaUnderstand why treatment suppresses the immune system, why monitoring and gradual changes matter, and when a dog or cat with IMHA needs urgent care.Read article →Antibiotics and culture-guided treatmentHow veterinarians decide whether antibiotics are needed, use laboratory results, and make a treatment plan that owners can follow safely.Read article →Insulin and diabetes treatmentA guide to starting and monitoring diabetes treatment, maintaining a dependable routine, and preparing for low blood sugar or other complications.Read article →Urinary catheterizationWhat a urinary catheter does, why hospitalization may be needed, and how to monitor urination after a dog or cat returns home.Read article →Fracture repairHow broken bones are stabilized, what influences healing, and why activity restriction and follow-up imaging matter after treatment.Read article →Gastrointestinal foreign body surgeryWhat happens when a swallowed object requires surgery, why bowel damage changes the plan, and which recovery signs deserve immediate attention.Read article →Humane euthanasia and end-of-life careMaking comfort-focused decisions, preparing for a professional euthanasia appointment, and arranging species-appropriate aftercare.Read article →Therapeutic nutrition across speciesUsing food as part of a medical plan while respecting species, life stage, disease, and the limits of diet labels.Read article →Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Understand therapeutic laser treatment, where it may fit into a pain or rehabilitation plan, what the evidence can and cannot tell us, and how safety and response are monitored.Read article →Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131)A detailed guide to radioiodine treatment for feline hyperthyroidism, with a separate explanation of selected canine thyroid tumor care, licensed hospitalization, home precautions and thyroid and kidney follow-up.Read article →
Emergencies
Feline Urinary ObstructionA urinary emergency that cannot waitRead article →Cat Emergency SignsUrgent signs & what to do nowRead article →Seizures in Dogs and Cats: Recognizing an EmergencyHow to recognize seizure activity, protect your pet safely, seek timely emergency care and prepare for investigation and ongoing treatment.Read article →Breathing Distress in Dogs and CatsRecognize difficult breathing, reduce stress during transport and understand why stabilization must come before a complete diagnosis.Read article →A Cat That Cannot Urinate: Urethral ObstructionRecognize possible urinary blockage, avoid dangerous home measures and understand emergency treatment, monitoring and prevention.Read article →
Care recommendations are never one-species-fits-all.
This library provides educational information—not diagnosis, prescriptions or emergency triage. Husbandry, age, individual health, local conditions and medical history all influence the right plan. Contact a veterinarian familiar with the species whenever an animal seems ill or a question feels urgent.
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