Off colour cat - when to worry

[Mumdiva99]

1 of my 18 month old cats is off colour. Didn't come for breakfast. Stayed in basket all morning. Has just come down and done a stinky small hard poo. Stepped out the litter box and reached. Only bought up bile and a few hairs mixed in. Walked a few feet and reached again. Small amount of bile.

Obviously if this was a child I would tell them to pull themselves together and get better. But it's my gorgeous cat who can't tell me what's wrong. When do I phone the vet? (Anxious first time cat mum.....)

I'd call them now.
Cats are v good at hiding pain. A quiet, hiding cat, not eating, lethargic plus gastro symptoms, should really be examined.

(Former veterinary receptionist, if I was to get this info over the phone I'd have offered you a same day appointment).

Is puss an outdoors cat, could they have eaten something bad, be constipated, got gastritis, got a hairball stuck. Can they drink anything without being sick. I would call the vet, they could be in pain. You are joking about a child I hope.

Oh wow. I thought the responses would be 24/48 hours.... eeek. But thanks.

She does go outside. So yes could have eaten something.

Sort of joking about the kids.....(not much calpol, time, magic cream or a wet paper towel can't fix).

@Mumdiva99

She does go outside. So yes could have eaten something.

Sort of joking about the kids.....(not much calpol, time, magic cream or a wet paper towel can't fix).

Kids have an incentive to milk it a lot little bit (day off school, stay in bed, TLC from mum etc). Cats don't You do get the odd wimp of a cat who plays it up but without an examination you really can't tell (& they are generally more stoic than kids or dogs).

Just had similar this morning - Boycat wouldn't have his morning cuddles (usually demands them), stayed in the wardrobe until I poked him out then hid under the bed. Wouldn't come downstairs, no food, water or tray. When I phoned the vet they offered me this afternoon to see him.

Luckily, he's just come down, demanded a big cuddle which he purred through then had a small drink and a mahoosive pee, so vet trip cancelled.

In your case bearing in mind the vomiting bile & hard stinky poo, I would be hammering down the vet's door just in case as gastric problems can get very bad very quickly.

Thanks. We gave her another hour. Then the other half shook the cat treats downstairs while I was worrying upstairs by her bed. She heard the treats, ran downstair and ate a few. Another sleep and she's now having a snack of her usual biscuits. Of course I am still a bit worried but less so. Hmmm....while writing this she's statyed playing with a ball. Probably don't need to worry....

Mine went today he tried to pee in my tea towel drawer (so not him) and could only manage a drop or two he is currently on metacam and I need to get a urine sample off him 😅 it's always best getting things checked out you never know

What does she have to eat and drink during a day. Has she used her tray again and been wormed.

I am sure that having cats is far more stressful than having children. At least they can usually tell you what's wrong!

Children can be ungrateful little bastards but cats are fluffy perfection who never do anything wrong so I'd worry straightaway.

First sign is usually going off food and being subdued.

When we had the Bengal boy the first sign was him being well behaved and not a whirlwind of naughtiness & constant noise.

Thanks for all the support. She was fine. Cats are far more worrying than the kids.