Why is my cat lethargic?

We’ve all looked at our cats while they were peacefully snoozing and felt envious that they could sleep all day without a care in the world. Eat. Play. Sleep. Repeat. Living the dream.

But are your cats sleeping more than usual? Do they lack energy? Are they uninterested in playing, or what’s going on around them? If you answered yes, your cat might be lethargic. Here, we’ll explain the differences between normal cat behaviour and lethargic cat behaviour, what causes lethargy in cats and how you can help them.

Lethargy in cats is often described as a dramatic decrease in activity level, energy and alertness. If your cat suddenly stops watching all of the birds in their favourite tree or loses interest in their food or toys and simply wants to sleep, then something isn’t quite right. And when they do move, they may still appear drowsy or slow. In most cases, lethargic cats are trying to save their energy to heal from an injury or fight off an illness or infection.

A lethargic cat can be difficult to spot. As cats often sleep for 12-16 hours a day, it’s not always easy to track when they’re sleeping more.

The key difference between a lethargic cat and a tired cat is that the tiredness is temporary. If your cat has been awake longer than usual, zooming around the house at 2am, it’s natural they’ll only sleep for a few extra hours during the day.

But, if the tiredness doesn’t seem to get any better and all they do is sleep, they’re likely lethargic. And sadly, this won’t change unless the underlying issue is addressed and resolved.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lethargic cat isn’t normal. It suggests a health issue – either an illness or an injury.

The only time a healthy cat should feel lethargic would be after their annual vaccination or if they’ve been recently spayed or neutered, as this can temporarily make them feel tired, achy and unwell.

Healthy kittens should also never feel lethargic. They’re either running like Olympic athletes one minute or passed out like they haven’t slept in weeks the next.

As cats get older, their energy levels tend to drop, and they spend more time observing rather than playing. You’ll also notice older cats moving slower than they did as an adult too. But this isn’t lethargy – just the joys of getting older.

An extreme change in their sleeping habits or sudden slow down is a sign of a lethargic cat.

Lethargy can hit at any age. But it’s more common in adult cats. Unfortunately, almost any health condition can cause lethargy in cats. These include:

• Infections

• Traumatic injury

• Low blood sugar

• Heart disease

• Anaemia

• Abnormal hormone levels

• Liver or kidney disease

• Respiratory conditions

• Dehydration

• Nutritional deficiency

• Medication (for example, pain relieving medication)

• Poisoning

• Cancer

• Parasites (fleas and ticks)

• Inflammatory issues

• Neurological disorders

• Urinary tract problems

• Gastrointestinal problems

It can be pretty impossible to tell what the problem is yourself. So, unless they’ve had a recent vaccination or are on pain medication for other health issues, always get a lethargic cat checked by your vet.

As we’ve already mentioned, the main symptom of a lethargic cat is extreme and persistent tiredness and a sudden drop in energy levels. But there are also some other symptoms you should watch out for if you suspect your cat is lethargic, including:

• Drooling

• Vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Not drinking

• Losing a lot of weight quickly

• Off balance and wobbly

Keep a note of any symptoms your cat might be showing and let your vet know, as they can indicate the cause of lethargy. For example, a lethargic and drooling cat may suggest that the problem is a disease or injury within the mouth area.

As a cat parent, you should trust your instincts. You know your cat better than anyone. So if they start behaving unusually or display any odd symptoms, don’t delay and get them to the vet as soon as possible. Sometimes your cat will even tell you there’s a problem. If they’re sleeping in a different spot, being extra needy or doing their business in a place other than the litter box, they’re trying to tell you that they aren’t feeling great.

Be sure to give the vet as much information as possible, such as when they started acting lethargic and any other symptoms, to help them make a quicker diagnosis and get your cat on the road to recovery.

Treatment for lethargy will first begin with finding out what the underlying health problem is. Your vet will likely perform a full physical examination and run several tests, including:

• Blood tests

• Urinalysis

• Faecal examination

• Hormone levels

Once the health issue has been identified and successfully treated, the lethargy should resolve itself too.

A cat’s diet can have a big impact on their overall health. Feeding your cats fresh cat food using human-quality meat is the way forward. With personalised portions, a range of flavours and frozen to lock in nutrients, meaning no need for preservatives, your cats will not only love the taste but all the health benefits too.