A cat gets tired easily and doesn't want to play – could it be heart disease?

📞 Appointment booking for cardiac examinations: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa

Quick answer: If your cat gets tired more easily than before, withdraws, breathes more heavily than usual, or doesn't want to play, it could be due to pain, an internal disease, or heart disease. The symptom should be investigated if the change is clear.

A cat's fatigue can develop slowly. Owners often first notice that their cat sleeps more, plays less, or avoids jumping.

When to see a vet?

Contact a veterinarian if any of the following apply:

• The cat breathes heavily or rapidly.
• The cat doesn't want to play like before.
• The cat is losing weight or eating less.
• The symptom is new or worsening.

What could be causing the symptom?

1. Heart disease

Heart disease can reduce exercise tolerance and cause respiratory symptoms.

2. Pain

Joint pain or dental pain can make a cat passive.

3. Internal diseases

Kidney or liver diseases, or e.g., diabetes may appear as tiredness.

What can you do at home?

• Monitor appetite, drinking, and breathing.
• Note down when the change began.
• Do not wait and observe if breathing becomes labored.

What happens at the vet?

During the examination, the heart and lungs are listened to, the general condition is assessed, and if necessary, blood tests are performed or a cardiac ultrasound is recommended.

Sacrum Animal Hospital can help

If you are unsure about the severity of a symptom, it's better to contact us than to wait and observe the situation for too long. A professional can help assess whether it's an emergency or if an appointment can be scheduled.

📞 Appointment booking for cardiac examinations: 010 739 9130

📍 Sacrum Animal Hospital, Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa