Cat hiding and seming generally fed up, no real interest in food - when to call vets?

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I noticed my 1 year old male indoor cat wasn't quite himself this afternoon when working from home - he usually drapes himself over my keyboard asking for attention, but he had stayed hidden under the clothes maiden (his favourite spot). Didn't think much of it til I came home at 6pm after dropping OH off somewhere and he didn't sprint to the front door as he usually does when he hears it.

Spent the evening watching box sets and then fell asleep on the sofa - woke up now and he's still under the maiden, just not quite himself. Could be persuaded to look and swat gently at (but not chase like a lunatic) the laser pen, came downstairs for biscuits when he heard me shaking the bag but then didn't actually eat any, I picked him up and he didn't make any noise so no obvious pain... But he's still under the maiden and just looking sorry for himself.

Checked the litter box and no diarrhoea, and he doesn't appear to have gone anywhere else. Google obviously ranges from 'see if he's okay tomorrow' to 'vets, now, he's got liver disease'... So as it's 4.32am, if you're up - what should I do?

I promise there were paragraphs originally...

Oh, and *seeming in the title...

Are his ears warm? Is he drinking? Would normally indicate a temp. You know your cat better than anyone else, could be nothing but if you feel his behaviour is off I would always get them checked by a vet. Cats can have a multitude of health things going on you might not see outward signs for and can sometimes go down quick, so always put your own mind a rest. Call the vet in a bit.

Hit send too soon, it's too early..!! 😊 my cat for example will always take himself off somewhere quiet when he's feeling unwell, he's a dog in a cats body to it's totally out of character for him so I know he's poorly. Fingers crossed he's all ok OP 🤞

Thank you - nice not to feel alone at this hour as I sit in my blanket on the office floor talking to him like a lunatic! It's definitely not usual for him, my gut is saying I don't think there's anything too serious wrong (he is definitely not right but no vomit/diarrhoea is good surely??) but going to call the vets at 9ish anyway and just see what they say. Thanks again, he's my little best pal so I'm obviously worried sick!

Hi, hope he's ok. My vet tells me that cats 'mask' pain, so though he doesn't seem to be in pain, he might well be but not showing it. Mine has behaved like yours on two occasions, once with a swollen leg most likely bitten by another cat. Not obvious until we wondered why she had been quiet and under the table all day. The other when she had a v. high temp eventually diagnosed as pancreatitis. No vomiting, just quiet, stopped eating, drank a little water but sat in one place, quiet and listless and not herself. Vet quickly found the high temperature but said not eating properly, even for a day or two can cause real problems in cats....sometimes more so than the illness that has caused them to stop eating. So you are doing the right thing getting him checked this morning. Weekend vet fees are sky high but much better to check and get any treatment started today than wait until Monday.

I would have taken him by now tbh.

I would take him today. The only sign that Snorg was unwell was that she was still in the same place when I got home from work. She was critically ill.

Let us know how your lovely boy gets on OP 💐

Thanks all - spoke to the vets this morning and she wasn't too concerned but as she was in the surgery anyway for an emergency dog appointment she said to bring him in. She couldn't find any evidence of anything specific wrong, just a temperature, so she gave him an injection to bring it down and said if he's starting with an illness and starts being sick or anything tomorrow, to take him back in. He's been home an hour and he's already perked up a bit - he's eaten some food and he's wandering around the living room! Just glad I got him checked for peace of mind ❤️

Aww, good news, hopefully he'll be right as resign before you know it.