10 Common Cat Diseases: Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention Tips

Common cat diseases can sneak up on you, even if your kitty seems like the picture of health. My two furballs, Luna and Milo, have had their share of health scares, so I’ve learned a ton about keeping them purring. Here’s my take on 10 common cat diseases, what they look like, and how to stop them from stressing you and your cat out

10 Common Cat Diseases and How to Dodge Them

These 10 common cat diseases are ones I’ve either dealt with or stressed about as a cat parent. Let’s dive in:

Kitty Sniffles (Upper Respiratory Infections}

Kittens also catch colds, and worst of all is when your kitten’s sneezing like she’s been snorting glitter. These upper respiratory infections (URIs) strike shelters severely and are caused by viruses such as herpesvirus or calicivirus. Luna had one as a kitten, and it was like having a tiny tissue box in the house.
What It Looks Like: Sneezing fits, goopy eyes, snotty nose, perhaps a cough or fever.
How to Avoid It: Leave your cat inside other cats are essentially germ factories. Vaccinate them in a timely manner (vet’s instructions!). Additionally, stress exacerbates it, so I leave out Luna’s favorite blanket and provide her relaxed vibes with some catnip.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

FeLV is bad news. It messes with your cat’s immune system, so they catch every bug going around. It spreads through spit, blood, or sharing bowls. Milo’s old stray buddy tested positive, and it freaked me out.
What It Looks Like: Dropping weight, pale gums, always sick, or acting like they need a nap 24/7.
How to Avoid It: This one has a vaccine for it—get it. Keep your cat indoors, and if you bring a new one home, have them tested for FeLV first. I keep Milo from sharing his high-class water bowl with strays anymore.

Feline Distemper (Panleukopenia)

Distemper is a terrifying virus that strikes quickly and mercilessly, particularly in kittens. It infects their intestines and bone marrow, and it ain’t no joke—my friend’s unprotected kitten didn’t survive.
What It Looks Like: Vomiting, diarrhea, extremely dehydrated, or not eating.
How to Avoid It: Your cat’s superhero cape is the FVRCP vaccine. Kittens require several doses, and adults require an annual jab. I put a reminder call on my phone because I forget, and it’s saved my butt.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

FIV is the feline equivalent of HIV. It compromises their immune systems, so they’re continually battling something. It’s primarily through bite wounds, so my rough-around-the-edges tomcat, Milo, was in danger before we had him neutered.
What It Looks Like: Refusal to eat with lasting fevers, swollen lymph nodes, or a matted, unkempt coat.
How to Prevent It: Keep your cat inside and have them spayed—neutering reduces fights. Milo’s a lover, not a fighter. Also, frequent vet visits help catch this early.

Nasty Worms

Worms are the worse. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms—you name it, cats get it. Luna had tapeworms once (thanks, fleas), and I almost gagged cleaning her litter box.
What It Looks Like: Weight loss, vomiting, or—worm alert—worms in their feces.
How to Avoid It: Deworm every six months; my vet has me do it. Manage fleas with monthly medications, and scoop that litter box daily. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Cat Diabetes

Yes, cats can develop diabetes, particularly if they are overweight like Milo was when I wasn’t taking his diet seriously. It’s all about their body not being able to process insulin properly.
What It Looks Like: Drinking water like it’s going out of style, peeing tons, or losing weight despite eating.
How to Prevent It: Give them good food—not the stuff that costs pennies—and get them active. Milo enjoys running around with a laser pointer, and it’s helped him lose some weight. If they’re behaving strangely around food or the litter box, call the vet immediately.

Tooth Troubles

Cat teeth are the worst. Plaque accumulates, gums become irate, and can even play havoc with their organs if you do nothing about it. Luna had atrocious breath until we fixed her dental problems.
What It Looks Like: Bad breath, drooling, or pawing at their mouth as if they’re angry with their food.
How to Prevent It: Brush their teeth if they’ll tolerate it (good luck!). I brush Luna with dental treats, and we get annual vet dental exams. It’s not pleasant, but it keeps her pain-free.

Kidney Issues

Kidney disease is no joke, particularly for geriatric cats. It’s subtle, and before you even realize it, it can be serious. My friend’s senior cat had this issue.
What It Looks Like: Panting, weight loss, or rejection of dinner.
How to Avoid It: Provide them good food and make water interesting—my cats love a pet fountain. Annual blood work at the vet can pick this up early, which is a lifesaver.

Heart Issues

Some cats have heart issues when they’re born, or acquire them along the way. Cats are masters at concealing it, so you need to be stealthy in order to detect it.
What It Looks Like: Strange heartbeat, tiring easily, or fainting (terrifying!).
How to Avoid It: Provide them with a healthy diet and exercise their body. My vet checks Milo’s heart annually, and it picked up on small problems before they became gigantic.

Fleas and Itchy Skin

Fleas are the devil, and food, flea, or even dust allergies can drive your cat absolutely bananas to scratch. Luna had a flea problem once, and I vacuumed like a madwoman.
What It Looks Like: Red, irritated skin, bald spots, or constant scratching.
How to Prevent It: Give flea meds a month—don’t skip winter! If your cat is sensitive, use hypoallergenic food. I also vacuum under furniture to prevent fleas from making a resurgence.

My Tried-and-True Tricks for a Healthy Cat

Here’s my routine for keeping Luna and Milo in tip-top condition:

Vaccines are not optional: They’re a lifesaver, plain and simple.
Keep it spick and span: I brush them every week and clean the litter box daily (ew, but necessary).
Feed them the good stuff: No rubbish food for my babies—it keeps their weight in check.
Vet visits are essential: Every year, we have a full checkup. It’s like a cat MOT.
Indoor life is best: No street brawls or mystery germs for my crew.

Wrapping It Up

Working with cat health scares isn’t pleasant, but knowing what to watch for has saved me so much anxiety. Luna and Milo are my everything, and catching issues early equates to more time for zoomies and snuggles. Watch over your cat, spoil them rotten, and don’t avoid those vet visits. They’ll reward you with head butts and purrs for years to come!