This article contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we'd actually use.
10 Common Cat Health Problems UK Owners Should Know
Your cat cannot tell you something is wrong. What it can do is change its behaviour in ways so subtle that you might not notice for weeks, by which point a manageable condition has become an expensive one.
Most of the conditions on this list are treatable, especially when caught early. The problem is that cats are remarkably good at hiding illness. It is an evolutionary survival instinct -- a sick animal in the wild is a target. Your cat may live in a three-bedroom semi in Warrington, but its instincts still belong to the savannah.
This is not meant to make you anxious every time your cat sneezes. It is meant to give you a baseline so you know what normal looks like, and can spot when something shifts.
When to Call the Emergency Vet Immediately
Do not wait for your regular vet to open if your cat shows any of these signs:
- Straining to urinate with little or no output -- possible urinary blockage, potentially fatal within 24 hours
- Breathing with mouth open or visible effort -- cats should not pant like dogs. Open-mouth breathing in a cat is an emergency.
- Collapse, inability to stand, or dragging hind legs -- possible saddle thrombus (blood clot), especially in cats with heart conditions
- Suspected poisoning (lilies, antifreeze, paracetamol, slug pellets) -- time-critical
- Seizures lasting more than 2 minutes or multiple seizures in succession
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Known trauma (hit by car, high fall, dog attack) even if the cat seems fine -- internal injuries are invisible
Out-of-hours emergency consultation: GBP 150-300 before treatment. Know your nearest 24-hour emergency vet before you need them.
1. Dental Disease
The single most common health problem in cats, and the one most owners overlook entirely. Studies suggest that over 70% of cats over the age of 3 have some degree of dental disease. That is not a misprint. Seven out of ten cats.
Signs to Watch For
- Bad breath (beyond normal "cat food" smell)
- Drooling or pawing at the mouth
- Dropping food while eating or eating on one side
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Reluctance to eat hard food / preference shifting to wet food only
- Weight loss (when eating becomes painful, they eat less)
What It Costs
A routine dental check is usually included in the annual consultation (GBP 30-60). Professional dental cleaning under general anaesthetic costs GBP 200-400. If teeth need extracting, it can be GBP 400-800 depending on how many and how complicated the extractions are. Full-mouth extractions for severe disease can reach GBP 1,000-1,500.
Prevention
Daily tooth brushing with cat-specific toothpaste is the gold standard, but let us be realistic -- most cats will not tolerate it, and most owners give up within a week. Dental treats like Greenies (GBP 3-5 per pack) or a water additive like Tropiclean (GBP 8-12 per bottle) are more practical alternatives. They are not as effective as brushing, but they are better than nothing. [AFFILIATE: Greenies Cat Dental Treats]
2. Obesity
Between 25% and 40% of UK cats are overweight or obese. It is so common that owners often do not recognise it. An overweight cat is not "chunky" or "well-fed." It is a cat on a trajectory toward diabetes, joint disease, skin problems, and a shorter life.
Signs to Watch For
- Cannot easily feel ribs without pressing firmly
- No visible waist when viewed from above
- Belly sag that swings when walking (some belly pouch is normal; a swinging pendulum is not)
- Reluctance to play or jump
- Difficulty grooming the back half of the body (fat cats cannot reach)
What It Costs
Obesity itself does not generate a vet bill. Its consequences do. Diabetes management costs GBP 80-150 per month. Joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medication cost GBP 20-50 per month. Prescription weight management food (Royal Canin Satiety, Hill's Metabolic) costs GBP 30-50 per month. These add up to thousands over a cat's remaining years.
What to Do
Weigh food portions with a kitchen scale. The feeding guide on the packet is a starting point -- adjust downward by 10-15% for an indoor cat or a cat that is already overweight. Cut treats to no more than 10% of daily calories. Increase play to two sessions per day. And stop free-feeding. Measured meals, twice a day, at set times.
An adult cat of average build should weigh roughly 4-5 kg. Larger breeds like Maine Coons can be 6-8 kg healthily, and smaller cats like Singapuras may be under 3 kg. Ask your vet for your cat's ideal weight and use that number as your target, not the breed average.
3. Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD / FIC)
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. The most common form in younger cats is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) -- inflammation of the bladder with no identifiable bacterial cause. Stress is a major trigger.
Signs to Watch For
- Frequent trips to the litter tray with small or no output
- Crying or vocalising when urinating
- Blood in urine (pink or red-tinged litter)
- Urinating outside the litter tray
- Excessive licking of the genital area
In male cats, urinary crystals or inflammation can cause a complete blockage. A blocked cat cannot urinate at all, and this is a life-threatening emergency. If your male cat is straining in the litter tray with no output, get to a vet immediately. Do not wait to see if it resolves. Untreated urinary blockage can be fatal within 24-48 hours.
What It Costs
Mild FIC managed at home with diet change and stress reduction: GBP 30-50 for the vet consultation plus GBP 25-40 per month for urinary diet food. Urinary blockage requiring emergency catheterisation: GBP 1,500-3,500. Surgery for recurrent blockages (perineal urethrostomy): GBP 2,000-4,000.
Prevention
Wet food (increases water intake), multiple water sources around the house, low-stress environment, and maintaining a healthy weight. A cat water fountain (GBP 15-35) encourages drinking in cats that ignore still water bowls. Catit Flower Fountain and PetSafe Drinkwell are popular options that are easy to clean. [AFFILIATE: Catit Flower Fountain] [AFFILIATE: PetSafe Drinkwell]
4. Kidney Disease (Chronic Kidney Disease / CKD)
CKD is the leading cause of death in cats over 10. Studies suggest roughly 1 in 3 cats will develop some degree of kidney disease in their lifetime. The kidneys gradually lose function over months or years, and by the time symptoms are obvious, significant damage has already occurred.
Signs to Watch For
- Increased thirst (drinking noticeably more water than usual)
- Increased urination (larger or more frequent clumps in the litter tray)
- Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite (early stage)
- Reduced appetite and nausea (later stage)
- Dull coat and general lethargy
- Bad breath with a metallic or ammonia-like quality
What It Costs
Blood tests for diagnosis and staging: GBP 100-200. Prescription kidney diet (Royal Canin Renal, Hill's k/d): GBP 30-50 per month. Medication (phosphate binders, anti-nausea, blood pressure tablets): GBP 20-60 per month depending on stage. Subcutaneous fluid therapy at home (for advanced cases): GBP 40-80 per month for fluids and giving sets. Regular monitoring blood tests every 3-6 months: GBP 80-150 each.
Total monthly cost of managing CKD: GBP 50-190 depending on the stage and required interventions.
Ask your vet about annual blood and urine screening from age 7 onwards. SDMA testing can detect kidney changes before creatinine rises, catching CKD at a stage where dietary management alone can slow progression significantly. Early detection genuinely extends lives.
5. Hyperthyroidism
The most common hormonal disorder in older cats, typically appearing from age 8 onwards. The thyroid gland produces too much hormone, which accelerates the cat's metabolism. They eat ravenously but lose weight. It sounds paradoxical, but it is very recognisable once you know what to look for.
Signs to Watch For
- Weight loss despite a good or increased appetite
- Restlessness, hyperactivity, or vocalising more than usual
- Increased thirst and urination
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Poor coat condition
- Rapid heart rate (you can sometimes feel this when holding the cat)
What It Costs
Diagnosis (blood test for T4 levels): GBP 80-150. Daily medication (methimazole/felimazole): GBP 20-40 per month, lifelong. Alternatively, a prescription diet (Hill's y/d) costs GBP 30-45 per month but must be the only food the cat eats. Radioactive iodine treatment (a one-off cure): GBP 2,000-3,500, available at specialist veterinary centres. It is the most effective option long-term, but the upfront cost puts many owners off.
Monitoring blood tests every 3-6 months: GBP 60-100 each.
6. Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes in cats is strongly linked to obesity. An overweight cat is four times more likely to develop diabetes than one at a healthy weight. The good news is that feline diabetes can sometimes go into remission with aggressive early treatment and weight management, which is unusual compared to human diabetes.
Signs to Watch For
- Excessive thirst and urination (the classic duo)
- Weight loss despite eating well
- Lethargy and weakness
- Walking flat on the hocks (plantigrade stance) -- a neurological sign of advanced diabetes
What It Costs
Diagnosis (blood test, fructosamine levels): GBP 100-200. Insulin (ProZinc or Caninsulin): GBP 40-80 per month. Needles and syringes: GBP 10-15 per month. Glucose monitoring (vet visits for glucose curves): GBP 80-150 per session, typically monthly at first then every 3 months once stable. Home glucose monitors (AlphaTRAK): GBP 40-60 for the unit plus GBP 25-35 per box of test strips.
Monthly cost of managing a diabetic cat: GBP 80-150 once stabilised.
7. Fleas
Still one of the most common reasons UK cat owners visit the vet. Fleas are not a sign of a dirty home. They are everywhere -- in the garden, on other animals, in carpets and soft furnishings. A single flea can lay 50 eggs per day, and those eggs can lie dormant in your carpet for months before hatching.
Signs to Watch For
- Excessive scratching, biting, or grooming (especially around the base of the tail and neck)
- Tiny black specks in the fur (flea dirt -- put some on damp white tissue; if it turns red/brown, it is flea faeces containing digested blood)
- Hair loss, scabs, or red patches (flea allergy dermatitis)
- Visible fleas on the cat or in bedding
- Tapeworm segments in faeces (rice-grain-like segments; cats get tapeworm from ingesting fleas during grooming)
What It Costs
Vet consultation for flea allergy dermatitis: GBP 30-60. Prescription flea treatment: GBP 7-15 per monthly dose. Home flea spray (Indorex or RIP Fleas): GBP 10-15 per can, treats an average home. Professional pest treatment for a severe infestation: GBP 80-200.
Prevention
Regular vet-prescribed flea treatment is the only reliable prevention. Supermarket spot-ons (Bob Martin, Beaphar) are better than nothing, but significantly less effective than veterinary products like Broadline, Advocate, or Bravecto Plus. Monthly application, year-round, even for indoor cats. Fleas do not take winter off. [AFFILIATE: Indorex Household Flea Spray]
8. Cat Flu (Feline Herpesvirus / Calicivirus)
Cat flu is caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV), sometimes with secondary bacterial infections. It is extremely common in multi-cat environments and shelters. Vaccinated cats can still catch it, but symptoms are typically much milder.
Signs to Watch For
- Sneezing, nasal discharge (clear or coloured)
- Runny or sticky eyes, squinting
- Mouth ulcers (calicivirus specifically)
- Loss of appetite (cats rely heavily on smell; a blocked nose means they cannot smell food, so they stop eating)
- Lethargy and fever
What It Costs
Mild cases managed at home with steam, encouragement to eat, and eye drops: GBP 30-60 for the vet visit plus GBP 10-20 for eye drops and supplements. Moderate cases requiring antibiotics for secondary infection: GBP 50-100 for antibiotics and antivirals. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation (IV fluids, feeding tube, intensive nursing): GBP 500-1,500.
Important to Know
Feline herpesvirus is lifelong. Once infected, the virus stays dormant and can reactivate during periods of stress (moving house, new pet, building work, fireworks season). Recurrences are usually milder than the first infection but can be persistent. L-lysine supplements were historically recommended to reduce recurrences, but recent evidence suggests they are not effective. Discuss antiviral options with your vet if flare-ups are frequent.
9. Vomiting and Hairballs
Occasional vomiting in cats is common and usually not serious. A cat vomiting after eating too fast, bringing up a hairball once a fortnight, or ejecting grass after a garden expedition is generally not a concern. But "my cat just vomits sometimes" should not become a permanent shrug. Frequent vomiting can indicate inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, parasites, or more serious conditions.
When Vomiting Is Normal-ish
- Hairballs every 1-4 weeks (especially in long-haired cats)
- Regurgitating food immediately after eating too quickly (undigested food, tubular shape)
- Isolated vomiting with no other symptoms, cat otherwise bright and eating
When to See the Vet
- Vomiting more than twice a week regularly
- Blood in vomit (red or coffee-ground appearance)
- Vomiting combined with diarrhoea, lethargy, or weight loss
- Unproductive retching (trying to vomit but producing nothing -- possible obstruction)
- Sudden onset in a cat that does not normally vomit
What It Costs
Standard consultation and anti-nausea injection: GBP 50-80. Blood tests and imaging if the cause is unclear: GBP 150-400. Exploratory surgery for a suspected foreign body obstruction: GBP 1,000-3,000.
Hairball Management
Regular brushing (especially for long-haired breeds) reduces the amount of fur ingested during grooming. Hairball-formula cat food contains added fibre to help fur pass through the digestive system. Hairball paste or malt-based supplements (GBP 4-8 per tube) can help if hairballs are frequent. [AFFILIATE: Cat Malt Paste]
10. Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
This is the most under-diagnosed condition on this list. Studies suggest that over 60% of cats over 6 years old have radiographic evidence of arthritis, yet it is rarely diagnosed because cats hide pain so effectively. They do not limp the way dogs do. They simply stop doing things.
Signs to Watch For
- Reluctance to jump up or down (using intermediate steps, hesitating before jumping)
- Stiffness when getting up, especially after sleeping
- Reduced grooming (matted fur on the back half of the body because they cannot reach)
- Litter tray avoidance (the sides of the tray may be too high to climb over comfortably)
- Less interest in play or hunting
- Sleeping more (pain causes fatigue)
- Irritability when touched in specific areas
The challenge is that many of these signs are also associated with "just getting old," which is why arthritis goes undetected for so long. Cats do not simply slow down because they are older. They slow down because something hurts.
What It Costs
Diagnosis (clinical exam, sometimes X-rays): GBP 100-300. Monthly pain management with meloxicam (Metacam) or newer drugs like solensia (monthly injection): GBP 30-80 per month. Solensia (frunevetmab) is a newer anti-nerve growth factor injection given monthly by your vet, specifically designed for feline arthritis pain. It costs GBP 50-80 per injection but is extremely effective for cats that cannot tolerate oral medication. Joint supplements (glucosamine/chondroitin): GBP 10-20 per month, though evidence for supplements in cats is limited.
What You Can Do at Home
Provide steps or ramps to favourite spots (windowsills, beds, sofas). Switch to a litter tray with a low entry point. Provide warm, padded bedding in draft-free spots. A heated pet pad (GBP 15-30) can ease stiffness in cold weather. Gentle play to maintain mobility without overexertion. [AFFILIATE: Pet Heating Pad]
If your cat over 8 years old has stopped jumping onto the bed, stopped grooming its back end, or seems generally "slowed down," mention it to your vet at the next check-up. These are not signs of graceful ageing. They are signs of pain that can be managed.
The Best Thing You Can Do: Know Your Cat's Normal
Every cat has a baseline. How much they eat, how much they drink, how often they use the litter tray, where they sleep, how much they groom, how they move, what their energy level looks like on an average day. The most useful diagnostic tool is an owner who notices when something changes.
You do not need to become a hypochondriac about it. But paying attention to the small shifts -- drinking a bit more than usual, sleeping in a different spot, eating less enthusiastically, grooming one area obsessively -- is how you catch problems early. Early detection is the difference between a GBP 60 vet visit and a GBP 2,000 emergency.
Annual Health Checks Matter
A yearly vet check costs GBP 30-60. For cats over 7, consider twice-yearly checks and annual blood screening (GBP 80-150). This is not overreacting. It is proportionate to the fact that a year of your life is roughly equivalent to four cat years, and a lot can change in that time.
Keep an Emergency Fund
Even with insurance, keep GBP 500-1,000 accessible for emergencies. Insurance has excesses, co-pays, and waiting periods. Cash in hand means you never have to make a treatment decision based on whether you can afford it this week. See our full cost guide for more on budgeting for cat ownership.