Meet the body
A cat’s organs work together. These six sections introduce what each system does and the everyday changes you can observe without pressing on or restraining your cat.
Sources checked ·
An introduction for cat caregivers. Diagnosis, medication and individual care plans need a veterinarian.
Signs that need urgent care
Mouth & teeth
Teeth grasp and cut food. The tongue moves food and water and helps groom the coat.
An adult cat normally has 30 teeth. Much of each tooth sits below the gumline, so a quick look at home cannot rule out dental disease. A full assessment may need anesthesia and dental X-rays.
What to notice
Watch how your cat chews, and look for dropped food, drooling or new bad breath. A cat can keep eating even with a painful mouth.
An everyday care step
Build up gentle brushing with cat toothpaste. If the mouth looks sore, ask the vet before brushing.
Read the sourcesMerck Veterinary Manual: Physical Description of CatsCornell Feline Health Center: Feline Dental Disease
Heart & lungs
Lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide; the heart circulates blood to carry oxygen around the body.
Air travels down the windpipe and branching airways into the lungs. Breathing problems can stem from the lungs, heart or other causes; don’t automatically write off a cough as a hairball.
What to notice
Watch breathing when your cat is relaxed or asleep. Look for new effort, coughing or a lasting change from their usual pattern.
An everyday care step
Avoid tobacco smoke and irritating sprays. Open-mouth or labored breathing needs emergency care.
Read the sourcesMerck Veterinary Manual: Introduction to Lung and Airway Disorders of CatsCornell Feline Health Center: Dyspnea (Difficulty Breathing)
Digestion & nutrition
The digestive tract breaks food down and absorbs nutrients. The liver and pancreas help digest food and process nutrients.
Food travels through the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines. The liver makes bile; the pancreas supplies digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin. Cats need nutrients like taurine, so plain meat alone is not a complete diet.
What to notice
Keep an eye on appetite, vomiting, stool and weight trends. Repeated vomiting is not a normal part of grooming.
An everyday care step
Offer complete cat food for the right life stage, switch foods gradually, and keep fresh water available.
Read the sourcesMerck Veterinary Manual: Introduction to Digestive Disorders of CatsCornell Feline Health Center: Feeding Your Cat
Kidneys & bladder
Kidneys filter blood and balance water and waste. Urine travels down the ureters to the bladder and leaves through the urethra.
Kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production. Kidney disease and lower urinary tract problems are not the same thing: passing larger volumes of urine and struggling to pass urine call for different tests.
What to notice
Watch drinking, urine clumps and litter-box trips. Straining with little or no urine is an emergency.
An everyday care step
Provide fresh water and clean, easy-to-reach litter boxes. Never restrict drinking to reduce urination.
Read the sourcesMerck Veterinary Manual: The Urinary System of CatsCornell Feline Health Center: Chronic Kidney DiseaseCornell Feline Health Center: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Bones & movement
The skeleton supports the body; joints and muscles make walking, climbing and jumping possible.
Pain can show up as a change in behavior rather than an obvious limp. An older cat that grows quieter may need a pain check. Alongside veterinary care, lower steps and easy access to food, water and litter can help at home.
What to notice
Watch for hesitation before jumping, stiffness, less grooming or a change in favorite resting places.
An everyday care step
Offer non-slip routes, easy-to-reach resting spots and short play sessions your cat can choose to join.
Read the sourcesCornell Feline Health Center: Is Your Cat Slowing Down?
Skin & senses
Skin forms a protective barrier. Fur helps regulate temperature, while whiskers and other senses pick up cues from the surroundings.
Brushing is a good time to notice new lumps or tender spots. Never push cotton swabs into the ear canal or use dog flea products on a cat. Changes in the coat may reflect skin disease, pain or other health problems.
What to notice
Look for bald patches, frequent scratching, overgrooming, discharge or head shaking. Sudden changes deserve a closer look.
An everyday care step
Groom gently, leave whiskers intact, and ask your vet about cat-safe parasite prevention.
Read the sourcesMerck Veterinary Manual: Structure of the Skin in CatsMerck Veterinary Manual: Physical Description of CatsMerck Veterinary Manual: Routine Health Care of CatsCornell Feline Health Center: Poisons
Sources and the limits of this guide
We wrote this introductory guide using public veterinary resources. References support the sections beside them; citing them does not imply institutional endorsement or veterinary review of this guide.
Sources checked · · Source in English
- 01Merck Veterinary ManualPhysical Description of Cats
- 02Merck Veterinary ManualIntroduction to Digestive Disorders of Cats
- 03Merck Veterinary ManualIntroduction to Lung and Airway Disorders of Cats
- 04Merck Veterinary ManualThe Urinary System of Cats
- 05Merck Veterinary ManualStructure of the Skin in Cats
- 06Merck Veterinary ManualRoutine Health Care of Cats
- 07Cornell Feline Health CenterFeeding Your Cat
- 08Cornell Feline Health CenterFeline Dental Disease
- 09Cornell Feline Health CenterFeline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
- 10Cornell Feline Health CenterChronic Kidney Disease
- 11Cornell Feline Health CenterVomiting
- 12Cornell Feline Health CenterDyspnea (Difficulty Breathing)
- 13Cornell Feline Health CenterFeline Asthma: A Risky Business for Many Cats
- 14Cornell Feline Health CenterFeline Diabetes
- 15Cornell Feline Health CenterPoisons
- 16Merck Veterinary ManualEvaluation and Initial Treatment of Dog and Cat Emergencies
- 17Cornell Feline Health CenterIs Your Cat Slowing Down?