7 Cat Emergencies: How to Know What’s Urgent and What to Do
Is this an emergency?
Straining to pass urine
Not eating or hiding
Breathing issues or collapse
Bleeding or accident
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Seizure
Swollen or bloated tummy
Guidance for cat owners
How to contact an emergency vet
7 Cat Emergencies: How to Know What’s Urgent and What to Do
Emergencies are something nobody wants to face. But they do happen. And there's never a ‘good’ time!
It’s late. You're finally home after a long day. The house is a bit quiet. Your cat’s asleep in their favourite spot. But something doesn’t feel quite right. They haven’t come to demand food. They’re hiding.
You find yourself watching them, waiting, second-guessing everything.
Is this an emergency? Or are you overreacting? Can it wait until morning?
There are some situations you know will be urgent - serious road accidents, broken legs, poisoning. But other times things aren’t so clear-cut. And cats are experts at hiding illness, much better than dogs (and definitely better than humans). Especially the early stages. Which makes these moments even harder.
This guide looks at the most common emergency concerns in cats, how to recognise them, and when to seek help.
Is this an emergency?
Always take it seriously if your cat:
Stops eating completely for more than 24 hours
Isn’t breathing normally
Can’t walk
Keeps going to the litter tray but not passing any urine - especially males
Has a swollen, tense or painful tummy
Has a seizure or collapses
If something feels off, trust your instincts.
A simple but essential tip:
Make a note of your vet’s contact details, including the address and telephone number for out-of-hours emergencies.
Keep these details somewhere easy to find: on your mobile, stored on a landline phone, written down on paper, pinned to the fridge!
Share the information with petsitters, family members, the cattery - anyone who may look after your cat.
My cat keeps going to the litter tray but nothing’s coming out
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat is straining to pass urine (pee), but produces little or nothing
Vocalising (yowling) when they try to pass urine
Has not passed any urine for 24 hours or more
This scenario is especially urgent in male cats. It can quickly lead to organ failure, so contact a vet without delay if your cat’s struggling to pee.
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
Your cat is making frequent trips to the litter tray but still passing urine
There’s blood in their urine
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
There have been some accidents outside the litter tray
They’re eating less than normal
Immediate action
For non-urgent issues, encourage your cat to drink more. Anything you can do to boost fluid intake will help to keep their kidneys working and dilute irritant urine. Switch to wet food, add warm water to their usual diet or provide a water fountain.
My cat isn’t eating or seems very quiet and is hiding
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat hasn’t eaten for 24 hours or more (especially kittens). In cats, this can lead to life-threatening liver problems (hepatic lipidosis).
They’re lethargic, very weak, or difficult to wake up
Their gums are blue or white
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
Your cat is eating much less than normal
Hiding away, not wanting to interact with their people or housemates
Much quieter than usual
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
Your cat’s eating a bit less than usual, but they seem otherwise normal
Not grooming themselves
They're behaving a bit differently from normal
We shouldn't ignore changes in cats’ behaviour. They’ll often become quieter when they’re unwell. It’s often one of the earliest symptoms of more serious health concerns.
My cat’s having difficulty breathing or they’ve collapsed
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
They’ve stopped breathing (their chest isn't rising and falling)
If your cat is open-mouth breathing or panting - this is never normal in cats!
Breathing rapidly, even when they’re asleep or resting
Has laboured breathing - you can see the effort or heaving in their chest or abdomen
Blue-tinged or white gums
Their paws and ears feel cold
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
Your cat’s breathing faster than usual, but they seem otherwise okay
Not eaten for almost 24 hours
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
Your cat’s breathing sounds a bit snuffly
They have runny eyes and nose, and occasional sneezing
Immediate action
Keep your cat calm and keep stress to a minimum. Let them rest in a quiet place and don't try to handle them too much. Breathing problems can get worse very quickly.
My cat is bleeding or has been in an accident
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat:
Is unable to walk or is in severe pain
Unconscious or unresponsive
Has a deep cut or penetrating wound over their chest or abdomen
Is bleeding heavily and it isn’t stopping
Is having difficulty breathing
Suffers head trauma, a violent blow or severe eye injury
Severe burns, caustic injuries or scalding
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
Your cat’s not taking any weight on one limb (but is otherwise bright and well)
Has an open wound, especially over a joint
Suffered a fall, road accident, deep cuts, or a dog bite that breaks the skin - even if they seem okay initially
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
Your cat’s limping a little after missing a jump, falling or roaming outdoors
Has a minor cut, graze or scratch or a superficial burn
Is bitten by another cat
Immediate action
Keep your cat as quiet and still as possible, ideally in a comfortable carrier bed. Apply gentle pressure with a clean pad to stop bleeding. Keep wounds as clean and dry as possible. Cat bite wounds can be bathed with warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt to 500mls boiled, cooled water).
My cat keeps vomiting or has diarrhoea
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat:
Is vomiting repeatedly and not improving
Not eating and becoming very lethargic
Has large amounts of blood in their vomit and/or diarrhoea
Is dehydrated: dry gums and tenting skin when you pinch a fold up
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
Your cat is still being sick after 24 hours of treatment at home
Eating less than normal
Seems a bit lethargic
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
Your cat is sick from time to time
Has mild diarrhoea, but is otherwise well
Cats do vomit from time to time. But the frequency and any other symptoms are key factors to consider. Encourage them to drink to make sure they stay well-hydrated.
My cat’s had a seizure or they're behaving strangely
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat:
Is having a seizure that’s gone on for more than 3-4 minutes
Any seizures in young kittens
Is having repeated seizures, without fully recovering in between them
May have swallowed or been exposed to something toxic
Has been in a road accident or suffered a head trauma
Has severe back or neck pain, can’t use their legs normally or can’t control their bladder
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
This is their first seizure
It was a brief episode, and now they’re back to normal
They seem jumpy or are staring into space
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
Your older cat’s behaviour is gradually changing (confusion, disturbed sleep-wake cycles)
Your cat is more vocal than usual (yowling), but seems otherwise normal
Toileting outside the litter tray
Grumpier than usual
Immediate action
If your cat is having a seizure, keep their surroundings quiet and calm and try not to touch them unless you have to. Keep your cat safe from injury during a seizure by clearing surfaces and blocking off stairs or sharp edges. Keep children and other pets away.
My cat has a swollen or bloated tummy
The Red Flags: Find your nearest vet
Your cat:
Suddenly develops a bloated tummy that’s painful when touched
Is breathing quickly or having difficulty breathing
Is very quiet or weak
Is not passing urine
Amber warnings: See a vet the same day
You noticed a gradual increase in the size of their tummy
Green: Worth getting advice from a vet
They’re a kitten with a pot-belly and an uncertain worming history
They get slightly bloated after eating
Stools are softer than usual
You've recently changed their diet
A swollen abdomen often has a simple explanation. But not always. And it’s definitely worth checking.
Guidance for cat owners
Cat emergencies are often less obvious than in dogs, but no less serious. The symptoms may not be dramatic. Often it’s just a feeling that something isn’t right. You know your cat better than anyone. Trust that instinct.
If you're ever unsure, remember it’s always okay and right to ask. Whether you turn to your own vet or a remote veterinary service, getting advice early is never the wrong decision.
Joii vets are available online 24/7. So you can get professional advice and reassurance whenever you need it. Reach out now if you're worried about your cat.
How to contact an emergency vet
Contact an emergency vet by calling your regular veterinary practice (they provide out-of-hours instructions) or searching online for your nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic and calling them directly.
