I Thought My Cat Was Just Tired… But It Was Something Serious
By PurrCuddle Team •
Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first.
My cat, Mochi, had always been the “chill” type — the kind of cat who lounges in sunbeams, blinks slowly at you from across the room, and pretends not to hear the treat bag crinkle. So when she started sleeping more than usual, I shrugged it off. "She's just relaxed," I told myself.
But something felt... off. Have you ever looked at your cat and felt like something wasn’t right, even if you couldn’t explain why?
The Subtle Signs I Almost Missed
It started with her not jumping up on the couch like she used to. Then, she began skipping meals — which was really strange for Mochi. Her litter box habits changed slightly too: more clumps, less water intake.
Here’s my honest advice, as a fellow cat lover: if your cat’s behavior changes even a little, don’t ignore it. I almost did — and I still feel guilty for waiting as long as I did.
When I Finally Took Her to the Vet
It wasn’t until I saw her sit in front of her water bowl, just staring at it, that something clicked. I called the vet and got her in the next day.
“We need to run some bloodwork,” the vet said. “She may have early signs of chronic kidney disease.”
That hit me like a brick. I knew kidney disease was common in older cats — but Mochi was only eight. I didn’t expect it. I wasn’t ready.
The Diagnosis: Stage 2 CKD
The bloodwork confirmed it: Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease. The vet gently explained what it meant — that her kidneys were working, but less efficiently than they should. There was no cure, but we could manage it with diet, hydration, and monitoring.
“You caught it early,” the vet said. “That gives her the best chance for a good quality of life.”
What Life Looks Like Now
We switched Mochi to a prescription renal diet. I bought a pet water fountain (she actually loves it now). I learned how to track her hydration, her energy, even her litter box habits — all over again.
Some days are harder than others. She has good mornings and sluggish ones. But she still comes to sit beside me when I’m writing. She still purrs when I touch her head just right.
And me? I’ve learned to listen better — not just with my ears, but with my heart. Because cats don’t always meow when they’re in pain. Sometimes they just get quiet.
How You Can Catch It Early
If you’re reading this and wondering if your cat’s “just tired”… here’s what I wish I’d known sooner:
- 🩺 Annual bloodwork for cats over 7 years old is essential.
- 💧 Decreased thirst or urination changes are warning signs.
- 🍽️ Appetite loss — even minor — should not be ignored.
- 🐾 Use a pet health journal or app to track subtle behavior changes.
I highly recommend reading this vet-reviewed article on VCA Hospitals about kidney disease in cats. It helped me more than I can say.
A Quiet Bond, Stronger Than Ever
Have you ever felt your bond with your cat deepen through something hard? I never expected a diagnosis to bring us closer, but it did.
Mochi may be fighting a silent illness, but she still finds joy — in her favorite blanket, in the soft whirr of her fountain, in curling up next to me when I need it most.
And if I could go back, I’d tell myself: Don’t wait. Trust your gut. Your cat is talking to you — just not with words.
If you’ve had a similar experience, I’d truly love to hear it. You’re not alone in this. Our cats may not say it, but they’re counting on us to notice the whispers.
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