Cats spend a lot of time grooming, so it can be hard to tell when normal cleaning has turned into a problem. Cat overgrooming may be caused by stress, skin irritation, parasites, allergies, pain, or another medical condition. The tricky part is that stress and physical discomfort can look very similar at home. A few

A cat’s tail is more than a furry decoration. It helps with balance, movement, and communication. A painful injury near the base of the tail can affect how your cat walks, uses the litter box, and controls the tail. Cat plateau tail injury symptoms may include a limp or drooping tail, pain near the tail

If your cat’s eyes are moving rapidly from side to side, up and down, or in a circular pattern, the movement may be called nystagmus. Cat nystagmus eye movement causes range from a normal lifelong condition in some cats to a problem affecting the inner ear, brain, eyes, or nervous system. Nystagmus isn’t a disease

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common hormone problems in older cats. It happens when the thyroid glands produce too much thyroid hormone, which speeds up many body processes. The condition is treatable, but early signs can be easy to overlook because they may seem like normal changes associated with aging. The most common early

Cats are very good at hiding pain. That’s why the early signs of feline arthritis can be easy to miss. Your cat may not limp or cry out. Instead, you might notice that they no longer jump onto the sofa, spend more time sleeping, or seem unusually irritable when you touch their back or legs.

If your cat suddenly seems dizzy, falls over, walks in circles, or holds their head at an angle, a balance problem may be involved. Vestibular disease can look frightening, but some cats improve greatly with the right care. The vestibular system helps a cat know where their body is in relation to the ground. It

Cat Horner’s syndrome symptoms usually affect one side of the face and eyes. You may notice a drooping upper eyelid, a smaller-looking pupil, the third eyelid partly covering the eye, or the eye appearing slightly sunken. These signs can appear suddenly and may be caused by an injury, an ear problem, inflammation, or another condition

The most important fact about the early signs of heart disease in cats is that there may be no visible signs at all. A cat can have significant changes in the heart muscle while continuing to eat, sleep, play, and behave normally. The first clue may be a heart murmur, an unusual rhythm, or an

Early signs of diabetes in cats often include drinking more water, urinating more, eating more, and losing weight for no clear reason. Some cats may also slow down, have a dull coat, or get weaker in their back legs. These changes can be subtle. You might notice the water bowl empties faster, litter clumps get

The early signs of kidney disease in cats can include drinking more water, producing more urine, losing weight or muscle, eating less, vomiting occasionally, becoming less active, and developing a dull or unkempt coat. These changes are often gradual. An owner may notice a larger clump in the litter box or a water bowl that