Bringing home a new kitten is exciting and crazy, and it’s easy to focus on the fun times and overlook any possible signs of sickness. Knowing common health issues in kittens is a great way to be proactive in keeping your kitten healthy as it grows and bonds with you.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at 25 common health issues in kittens and their causes.
26 Common Kitten Health Issues and Their Causes
Symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, lethargy
Causes: Bronchitis in the respiratory system
Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs):
Symptoms: Sneezing, nasal discharge, watery eyes.
Causes: Viruses (e.g., herpesvirus, calicivirus), bacteria.
Fleas:
Symptoms: Scratching, tiny black specks (flea dirt) in fur.
Causes: Infestation from other animals or environments.
Ear Mites:
Symptoms: Scratching ears, head shaking, dark discharge.
Causes: Contagious mites often acquired from infected animals.
Worm Infestations (Roundworms, Tapeworms):
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, visible worms in feces.
Causes: Ingestion of infected prey or contaminated environments.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV):
Symptoms: Anemia, weight loss, susceptibility to infections.
Causes: Transmission through bodily fluids, commonly affects outdoor cats.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV):
Symptoms: Persistent infections, weight loss, lethargy.
Causes: Spread through bites, particularly in male outdoor cats.
Gingivitis and Dental Issues:
Symptoms: Red gums, bad breath, difficulty eating.
Causes: Poor dental hygiene, dental diseases.
Eye Infections:
Symptoms: Redness, discharge, squinting.
Causes: Bacterial or viral infections.
Dehydration:
Symptoms: Sunken eyes, lethargy, dry gums.
Causes: Inadequate water intake, illness.
Diarrhea:
Symptoms: Loose or watery stools.
Causes: Infections, dietary issues, parasites.
Constipation:
Symptoms: Straining during bowel movements, infrequent stools.
Causes: Inadequate fiber, dehydration.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
Symptoms: Straining to urinate, blood in urine.
Causes: Bacterial infections.
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper):
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy.
Causes: Highly contagious viral infection.
Allergies:
Symptoms: Itching, skin redness, sneezing.
Causes: Environmental factors, food.
Obesity:
Symptoms: Excess weight, lethargy.
Causes: Overfeeding, lack of exercise.
Ringworm:
Symptoms: Circular skin lesions, hair loss.
Causes: Fungal infection.
Hernias:
Symptoms: Bulging in the abdominal area.
Causes: Congenital or acquired.
Cryptorchidism:
Symptoms: Undescended testicles in male kittens.
Causes: Genetic factors.
Feline Acne:
Symptoms: Blackheads on the chin, redness.
Causes: Poor grooming, plastic food bowls.
Mouth Ulcers:
Symptoms: Painful sores in the mouth.
Causes: Viral infections, dental issues.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM):
Symptoms: Heart murmurs, lethargy.
Causes: Genetic predisposition.
Polydactyly (Extra Toes):
Symptoms: Extra toes on one or more paws.
Causes: Genetic mutation.
Coccidiosis:
Symptoms: Diarrhea, dehydration.
Causes: Protozoan parasites.
Toxoplasmosis:
Symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite.
Causes: Ingestion of infected prey or contaminated environments.
Cleft Palate:
Symptoms: Opening in the roof of the mouth.
Causes: Genetic factors, malformation during development.
What Should I Do if My Kitten is Sick?
Kittens are fragile, especially when it comes to their health. If your kitten is showing signs of any of the illnesses listed above, or any illness in general, take them to your vet. Vets can run tests on your kitten to find out exactly what the issue is.
Common Kitten Health Issues FAQs
The most common illness in kittens is upper respiratory infections (URIs), often caused by viruses like herpesvirus and calicivirus, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge, and watery eyes.
Stray kittens may carry a range of diseases, including but not limited to feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and various parasitic infections. It’s crucial to have a stray kitten thoroughly examined by a veterinarian and provide appropriate vaccinations and treatments.
Signs of a sick kitten may include lethargy, changes in eating or drinking habits, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory issues, and noticeable changes in behavior. If you observe any of these signs, prompt veterinary attention is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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