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Health and Welfare

What are common cat illnesses and cat diseases?

Like any animal, cats get ill from time to time. A study carried out to identify the most common ailments of cats in England, by taking a random sample of 18,249 cats taken from 1,225,130 cats attending general veterinary practices participating in the VetCompass programme.

We found the most common general problems in cats are:

  • Dental disease (21.81 percent)
  • Obesity (12.06 percent)
  • Skin disease (10.07 percent)
  • Digestive problems (8.92 percent)
  • Parasitic infestation (6.66 percent)

The most common specific disorders in cats are:

  • Gum disease (15.76 percent)
  • Obesity (12.06 percent)
  • Dental disease (8.64 percent)
  • Overgrown nails (5.56 percent)
  • Flea infestation (5.4 percent)

While some issues affect any cat, such as heart murmurs or obesity, some breeds are at risk of certain conditions. For example, purebreds are more at risk of coat disorders, while crossbred cats are more susceptible to abscesses and hyperthyroidism. 

In the study, younger cats (under 8 years) had a higher frequency of cat bite injuries, flea infestations, road traffic accidents and post-operative wound complications. Older cats (over 8 years) had a higher frequency of 23 disorders. 

The average life expectancy for a cat is 11.7 years. Cross breed cats, on average, live for 11.9 years. Purebred cats, on average, live for 10.4 years. Life expectancy varies widely between cat breeds with Burmese and Birman having the highest life expectancy and Sphynx having the lowest life expectancy.

In the study, 34 percent of cats had no recorded health problems.

Protect your cat from illness

There are things you can do to help keep your cat healthy and happy:

  • Annual veterinary health checks help to identify and manage health conditions earlier 
  • Brush your cat’s teeth regularly and ask your vet for advice if you’re worried
  • Encouraging active play helps maintain physical fitness and a healthy weight, particularly for indoor cats
  • Ensure your cat is microchipped – especially if they're allowed outdoors – so they can be identified if they get lost or injured.

By being clued up about cat illnesses, you’ll be better able to protect your cat and help them to live healthier and happier lives. 

To help you meet the costs of vet bills, you can protect your cat from common cat illnesses with our pet insurance for cats.

If you're concerned about your cat's health, please contact your local vet.

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