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Emergency Guide

When Should You Take Your Pet to the Vet?

Record the onset, severity, persistence and changes from your pet’s baseline. Contact your veterinarian promptly for appropriate timing; do not use a symptom count or fixed waiting period. A cat that is not eating needs prompt veterinary contact.

Emergency: Go to the Vet NOW

These symptoms require immediate emergency care. Do not wait for morning. Call ahead so they can prepare.

  • Difficulty breathing, gasping, blue, purple or very pale gums
  • Collapse or inability to stand
  • Suspected poisoning or toxin ingestion
  • Active seizure or unresponsiveness
  • Distended, hard abdomen (dogs — possible bloat)
  • Sudden paralysis or inability to use limbs
  • Profuse or uncontrolled bleeding
  • Urinary blockage (cats — straining with no output)
  • Severe trauma (hit by car, fall from height)
  • Sudden loss of vision
  • Severe or protracted vomiting
  • Severe diarrhea with red blood or black, tarry stool

Prompt: Contact a Veterinarian

Record the onset, severity, persistence and changes from your pet’s baseline. Contact your veterinarian promptly for appropriate timing; do not use a symptom count or fixed waiting period. A cat that is not eating needs prompt veterinary contact.

  • Vomiting or diarrhea; severe or protracted vomiting and severe bloody diarrhea need emergency help
  • Not eating or a marked appetite change: contact a veterinarian promptly, especially for a cat
  • Limping that does not improve after rest
  • Eye cloudiness, discharge, or obvious pain
  • New lumps that appeared suddenly
  • Significant change in thirst or urination
  • Known wound that looks infected
  • Painful abdomen on palpation

Persistent limping in older pets often signals joint issues — our pet joint health guide explains what's treatable and when it warrants urgent attention.

Record Changes and Ask About Appropriate Timing

  • Gradual weight change
  • Coat changes (dullness, thinning, matting)
  • Intermittent mild limping
  • New or changing lumps
  • Bad breath or visible tartar
  • Reduced activity compared to baseline
  • Behavioral changes in older pet
  • Overdue for annual checkup or vaccines

A Note on Senior Pets

Record the onset, severity, persistence and changes from your pet’s baseline. Contact your veterinarian promptly for appropriate timing; do not use a symptom count or fixed waiting period. A cat that is not eating needs prompt veterinary contact. senior dog care guide · senior cat care guide

When in doubt, call your vet and describe the symptoms. Most practices are happy to help you triage over the phone.

Use our symptom checklist to help communicate with your vet.

See All Tools →
Symptom Checklist Tool Senior Pet Guide

Sources: Cornell emergency warning signs; Cornell feline anorexia. These are warning-sign references, not a validated score or a safe waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pet symptoms require emergency vet care?

Seek immediate veterinary or emergency help for difficulty breathing, collapse or unresponsiveness, blue, purple or very pale gums, severe or protracted vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, an active seizure, suspected poisoning or other obvious emergency signs. Do not wait to complete a checklist.

When should I contact my veterinarian promptly?

Record the onset, severity, persistence and changes from your pet’s baseline. Contact your veterinarian promptly for appropriate timing; do not use a symptom count or fixed waiting period. A cat that is not eating needs prompt veterinary contact.

Is a urinary blockage in a cat an emergency?

A cat straining to urinate with little or no output needs immediate veterinary help. Do not wait for a fixed interval; contact an emergency clinic if your regular veterinarian is unavailable.

When should senior pets see the vet sooner?

Record the onset, severity, persistence and changes from your pet’s baseline. Contact your veterinarian promptly for appropriate timing; do not use a symptom count or fixed waiting period. A cat that is not eating needs prompt veterinary contact.