Caring For Your Sick Cat | Blue Cross

Contact your vet if your cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours. In young or elderly cats, tummy upsets can be very dangerous due to the risk of dehydration. You should also contact your vet if your cat:

• has blood in their vomit
• cannot keep water down
• has pale or cold gums

If your pet is vomiting and unable to keep food down, you can try missing one meal while still allowing access to fresh water. Then, offer a teaspoonful of bland food, like boiled skinned chicken or white fish (such as cod or coley). If your cat tolerates this, you can give a little more after a couple of hours. Stick to this diet for two days before gradually mixing with your cat’s normal food.

If your cat has diarrhoea, do not skip their meals. Instead, swap their normal cat food out for a bland diet of boiled white skinless chicken or white fish. Provide plenty of access to water, with water bowls placed away from their food dish. You can put water bowls in different locations throughout the house to encourage your cat to drink more often. Contact your vet if diarrhoea persists for more than two days, or if your cat seems weak and does not want to eat.

What to do if your cat has cat flu

Cat flu is a viral disease with symptoms similar to that of a bad cold. It's usually most dangerous in kittens, but you should still contact your vet, even if they’re older. Symptoms of cat flu include:

• runny eyes and nose
• sore throat
• mouth ulcers
• dribbling
• sneezing
• loss of voice
• fever

Mouth ulcers can make swallowing difficult for your cat. If they have a bunged-up nose, they may also not want to eat. You can offer strong-smelling foods – such as roast chicken or fish – to ensure they're still eating.

Ulcers can form on their eyes as well. If the eye is closed up or there is a lot of discharge, see a vet. These ulcers, if left untreated, can cause serious damage to the eye. You can wipe away any discharge from the eyes or nose with warm salt water – boil a pint of water and mix in a teaspoon of salt. Let it cool to a lukewarm temperature before applying.

What to do if your cat has skin problems

Cats can experience a number of different skin problems, including rashes, sores, fleas and hair loss. You should speak to your vet if you notice any skin problems to prevent it from getting worse. The most effective treatments for fleas are available from your vet.

When a cat licks their sore skin they can stop it from healing and worsen the pain. You can stop them from licking by using an Elizabethan collar. If your cat is scratching their skin, socks on the hindlegs and paws can stop them from doing this. If licking or scratching persists, speak to your vet as they may be able to give treatments to reduce itching.

To soothe the skin, bath sore or itchy patches in cool salt water, or apply an ice pack.

General nursing

Many elderly cats develop long-standing conditions that need looking after at home. Always notify the vet of any changes in the condition of a pet with a long-standing illness.