CARE

Cat Emergency Care: Warning Signs and What to Do

Go to a vet immediately if your cat is straining to urinate, struggling to breathe, collapsing, seizing, bleeding heavily or may have been poisoned. Call ahead, transport in a carrier and never give human medications. Keep your vet and emergency clinic numbers where you can find them fast.

By the CatCorners editorial team · Updated · 2 min read

When is it a cat emergency?

Seek veterinary care right away for:

  • straining to pass urine, or producing little or none (especially male cats)
  • difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing or blue-tinged gums
  • collapse, seizures, or being unable to stand
  • serious injury, heavy bleeding, a fall or a car accident, even if the cat seems fine
  • suspected poisoning, such as lilies, antifreeze, rodent bait or human medication
  • repeated vomiting, a swollen painful belly, or not eating for a day or more
  • heatstroke signs, such as panting and extreme lethargy

When in doubt, call. It is always better to ask than to wait.

What should I do first?

  1. Stay calm and keep your cat warm and quiet. Reduce handling to avoid being bitten or scratched.
  2. Call your vet or the nearest emergency clinic and describe symptoms so they can prepare.
  3. Transport your cat in a carrier, lined with a towel.
  4. Bring information: what happened, when, and the packaging of anything swallowed.

What if my cat may have been poisoned?

Remove access to the substance and call your vet or a poison hotline immediately. In the United States, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hours at (888) 426-4435, and a consultation fee may apply. Outside the US, ask your vet for your local service. Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to. Lilies are especially dangerous for cats, and the ASPCA plant list is a useful reference.

What should I never give a cat?

Never give human pain relievers or other medications unless a vet instructs you, since common ones such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be fatal to cats.

What should be in a cat first-aid kit?

  • Your vet's and nearest 24-hour clinic's phone numbers
  • A carrier and a clean towel or blanket
  • Gauze, self-adhesive bandage and blunt-tipped scissors
  • Saline for flushing eyes or wounds
  • Your cat's medical records and a recent photo
  • Any medications your cat takes

A kit supports a vet visit and never replaces one.

How do I prepare for an emergency in advance?

Save your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour clinic's address in your phone, keep your cat's records together, make sure the carrier is easy to reach and microchip your cat. If you live outside the United States, look up your local animal poison advice service ahead of time.

Note: this article is general information, not veterinary advice. Always talk to your veterinarian about your own cat's health and diet.

Sources and further reading