Is your dog or cat off colour? Choose a symptom below to see the common causes, simple things you can do at home, and the signs that mean it’s time to call your vet.
Pet symptom checker
Worried about your dog or cat? Pick a symptom to see what it might mean, what you can do at home, and when to call the vet.
- is struggling to breathe, or breathing with an open mouth (cats)
- has collapsed, is having a seizure or can’t stand
- has a swollen, hard belly and is retching without bringing anything up (dogs)
- is straining to pee and little or nothing comes out (especially male cats)
- may have eaten something poisonous, like chocolate, grapes or raisins, xylitol, rat poison, antifreeze, or lilies (cats)
- is bleeding heavily, has pale or blue gums, or has been hit by a car
Common causes
What you can do at home
See your vet if
This checker gives general information only. It can’t diagnose your pet and isn’t a substitute for a vet. If you’re worried, or your pet seems to be getting worse, call your vet. Trust your instincts: you know your pet best.
For general information only, not veterinary advice. See our terms.
When to go straight to a vet
Some problems can’t wait. If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, has a swollen belly and is retching, can’t pee, or may have eaten something poisonous, call your vet straight away. Outside opening hours, your vet’s answerphone will tell you their out-of-hours emergency service.
Keeping an eye on your pet
Small changes in eating, drinking, sleeping and toilet habits are often the first sign something is wrong. A smart feeder or fountain can log how much your pet eats and drinks, and a pet tracker can show when their activity drops, so you notice changes sooner.
This checker gives general information only and can’t diagnose your pet. If you’re worried, always call your vet.