Watch for These 10 Behaviors in Your Cat: A Must-Read Guide for New Cat Owners

Have you ever had moments when your cat suddenly stops eating or drinking and hides under the bed all day, and you anxiously wonder: Is it sick? Should I go to the vet?

For new cat owners, the most frustrating thing is that cats can’t talk. When they don’t feel well, they just suffer in silence, and by the time you notice a problem, the best window for treatment may have already passed.

This article is here to help you with that anxiety. I’ll tell you:

Which behavioural signals need your close attention

How to judge how serious it is

When you can just observe and when you must see a vet

Exactly what to do and how to do it

I. These 10 abnormal behaviour signals you must know

1. Appetite changes

Normal: adult cats eat two to three times a day, with a relatively stable intake.

Abnormal signals:

No eating for 24 consecutive hours

Intake suddenly drops by more than 50%

Only wants treats and refuses regular food

Possible causes: dental issues, digestive problems, kidney disease, environmental stress.

What to do:

Check if the food has gone bad or if you have recently switched brands

Try warming up canned food to stimulate appetite

Observe for 48 hours; if there is no improvement, see a vet

Observing your cat’s eating habits: keeping a daily record of food intake is the first step in spotting problems.

2. Water intake increases or decreases significantly

Normal: about 50–100 ml per kilogram of body weight per day.

Abnormal signals:

Intake suddenly doubles or more

Drinks almost nothing

Goes to the water bowl often but only takes one sip

Possible causes: diabetes, kidney disease, urinary tract infection.

What to do:

Measure daily water intake (record the difference between refills)

Watch for excessive urination

Seek immediate veterinary care

3. Abnormal bowel movements or urination

Normal: defecates one to two times a day, urinates two to four times a day.

Abnormal signals:

Constipation – no stool for more than three days

Diarrhoea – soft or bloody stools

Frequent urination but little output, or painful crying when urinating

Blood in urine

Possible causes: digestive disorders, urinary tract disease (especially urethral blockage in male cats).

What to do:

Emergency: a male cat that has not urinated for more than 24 hours needs immediate veterinary attention

Record the frequency and appearance of stools and urine

Save an abnormal stool sample for the vet to examine

4. Increased hiding

Normal: occasionally finds a quiet corner to rest.

Abnormal signals:

Hides in secluded spots for more than 24 hours

Refuses to come out to eat or eliminate

Shows signs of pain when forced out

Possible causes: physical pain, serious illness, extreme stress.

What to do:

Check for visible injuries

Watch for other symptoms

If it lasts more than 48 hours, see a vet

Persistent hiding is an important signal that your cat is saying "I don’t feel well."

5. Overgrooming or pulling out fur

Normal: spends 30–50% of the day grooming.

Abnormal signals:

Repeatedly licks a spot until it becomes bald

Pulls out fur with teeth

Skin is red, swollen, or has wounds

Possible causes: skin allergies, parasites, psychological stress, or pain causing displaced licking.

What to do:

Check the licked area for wounds or rashes

Note any environmental changes such as moving house or changing food

Use an Elizabethan collar to prevent further licking

See a vet for skin issues

Excessive licking of one area is a warning sign that should not be ignored.

6. Breathing abnormalities

Normal: resting respiratory rate of 20–30 breaths per minute.

Abnormal signals:

Rate over 40 breaths per minute

Open-mouth breathing (like panting)

Noisy breathing or coughing

Possible causes: heart disease, lung disease, asthma.

What to do:

Emergency: seek immediate veterinary care

Record the respiratory rate and any abnormal sounds

Keep the environment quiet and reduce stress

7. Vomiting

Normal: occasionally vomits hairballs (one to two times a week).

Abnormal signals:

Frequent vomiting (multiple times a day)

Vomit contains blood or foreign objects

Accompanied by diarrhoea and lethargy

Possible causes: gastrointestinal obstruction, poisoning, kidney disease, pancreatitis.

What to do:

Withhold food for four to six hours and observe

Take photos of the vomit

If vomiting continues for more than 24 hours or contains blood, see a vet immediately

8. Sudden increase in aggression

Normal: may gently nibble during play occasionally.

Abnormal signals:

Suddenly attacks the owner

Violently resists when touched in a certain area

Dilated pupils, flattened ears, puffed tail

Possible causes: physical pain, neurological disease, extreme fear.

What to do:

Avoid forcing contact

Check for injuries or swelling

Wrap the cat in a thick towel to examine it carefully

See a vet as soon as possible

9. Lethargy or hyperactivity

Normal: sleeps 12–16 hours a day and is somewhat active when awake.

Abnormal signals:

Sleeps all day and cannot be roused

Loses interest in toys and food

Overly hyperactive and cannot settle

Runs wildly or bumps into walls

Possible causes: fever, poisoning, neurological issues, hyperthyroidism (in older cats).

What to do:

Take its temperature (normal is 38–39°C)

Check whether it has been exposed to toxic substances

If extremely hyperactive, seek immediate veterinary care

10. Third eyelid showing

Normal: the third eyelid is not visible normally.

Abnormal signals:

A white or pink membrane appears at the inner corner of the eye

Affects one or both eyes

Increased eye discharge

Possible causes: general illness, fever, eye disease, Horner’s syndrome.

What to do:

Check for other symptoms

If it lasts more than 24 hours, see a vet

Do not use any medication on your own

II. Severity assessment decision matrix

Based on the duration and accompanying symptoms, problems can be divided into three levels:

Observation level: Occasional, lasting less than 24 hours; the cat is in good spirits, eating and eliminating normally. Action: continue to observe and record any changes.

Concern level: Lasts 24 to 48 hours; mild lethargy and decreased appetite. Action: try home care and prepare for a vet visit.

Emergency level: Lasts more than 48 hours or has an acute onset; persistent vomiting, inability to urinate, difficulty breathing, or altered consciousness. Action: seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

Special note – the following situations require immediate veterinary attention without waiting:

A male cat has not urinated for more than 24 hours

Difficulty breathing or open-mouth breathing

Frequent vomiting for more than six hours

Ingestion of toxic substances (lilies, chocolate, cleaning products, etc.)

Bleeding from an injury that will not stop

Paralysis or seizures

Common misconceptions and correct approaches

Myth 1: If the cat seems lethargic, it must be sick.

Reality: lethargy can be caused by many factors, such as weather, environmental changes, or being in heat.

Correct approach: look at the whole picture – appetite, bowel movements, and energy level – rather than relying on one sign alone.

Myth 2: Inappropriate urination is always revenge against the owner.

Reality: it can be a sign of urinary tract disease, a dirty litter box, or environmental stress.

Correct approach: rule out health problems first, then consider behavioural causes. Do not punish the cat.

Myth 3: Cats can regulate themselves; they do not need our intervention.

Reality: cats are naturally stoic. By the time they show obvious signs of discomfort, the illness may already be advanced.

Correct approach: be proactive in daily observation and take action as soon as you notice something off.

Myth 4: Human medications can be given to cats.

Reality: many human drugs are toxic to cats, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen.

Correct approach: only use medications under veterinary guidance and keep a pet first-aid kit ready.

Myth 5: Eating grass means the cat has worms.

Reality: cats may eat grass to get fibre, help cough up hairballs, or relieve boredom.

Correct approach: grow cat grass, deworm regularly, and watch for other symptoms.

Top 5 concerns for new cat owners

Based on veterinary hospital data, the most frequently asked questions from new cat owners are:

1. Decreased appetite / not eating or drinking – 32%

2. Vomiting / diarrhoea – 28%

3. Inappropriate urination / blood in urine – 18%

4. Lethargy – 12%

5. Skin problems – 10%

Key insights:

More than 60% of inquiries are related to the digestive system.

Urinary issues are more common in male cats and require special attention.

Lethargy is often a shared signal of many different diseases.

Tools and methods

Tool 1: Daily cat health log (fill in every day)

How to use: observe and record at the same time each day; keep records for seven days to establish a baseline; mark any abnormalities immediately.

Items to record, with normal ranges:

Food intake: 50–70 g/day

Water intake: 100–200 ml/day

Bowel movements: 1–2 times/day

Urination: 2–4 times/day

Mental state: active / normal

Mark abnormal if anything falls outside the normal range

Notes:

Fluctuations are normal; focus on persistent abnormalities.

Once you have established a baseline, it becomes easier to spot changes.

Bring the log to the vet to help with diagnosis.

Tool 2: Vet visit preparation checklist

Before you leave:

1. Record of symptoms (start time, frequency, severity)

2. Vaccination records and deworming history

3. Recent dietary changes

4. Photos or videos of abnormal symptoms (e.g., vomit, abnormal stools)

5. Any recent exposure to toxic substances

6. Cat carrier or bag

Questions to ask the vet:

1. What are the possible causes?

2. What tests are needed?

3. How should I care for the cat at home? What should I pay attention to?

4. When should I come back for a follow-up?

5. Does it need a special diet?

Additional tips:

Choose a reputable veterinary clinic.

Book in advance to minimise waiting time.

Bring a towel or blanket to help your cat feel safe.

"Cats cannot speak, but every behaviour is a message. Learning to observe is the best way to accompany them."

As a new cat owner, much of your anxiety comes from not knowing – not knowing whether the cat is healthy, what it needs, or when to worry. This article gives you a practical set of observation methods and judgment standards. Remember: it is better to make one extra vet visit than to delay treatment. At the same time, do not over-worry – with good daily observation, most problems can be caught early.