Low energy (lethargy) in cats

Overview

Does your cat seem lethargic (low in energy), quieter than usual, less interested in food, playing, hunting and going outside?
Lethargy is a symptom that can be caused by many different problems, some minor and some more serious.
Contact your vet if they have been lethargic for more than 24 hours or book an urgent appointment if they are severely lethargic.

General information and causes

Cats save energy for hunting which means they often sleep for 12-16 hours a day (or more). However, if your cat is sleeping more than usual it could be a sign that something is wrong. Lethargy can be caused by many different conditions ranging from a simple cat bite abscess to more serious problems such as kidney disease, diabetes or poisoning. There are so many different causes of lethargy in cats that it would be difficult to list them all here.

When to contact your vet

Contact your vet if your cat has been lethargic for more than 24 hours. Book an urgent appointment if they seem severely lethargic, and be sure to let your vet know about any other symptoms you have noticed, such as eating less or drinking more.

Consider insuring your cat as soon as you get them, before any signs of illness start. This will ensure you have all the support you need to care for them.

Find out more about PDSA's vet care services

Published: June 2020

Did you find this page useful?

Tell us more

PDSA Staff ID

Has this page helped you to care for your pet?

Have you learnt something new from reading this page?

Has this article helped you to understand when a vet is needed?

Did you experience any of the following issues?

Couldn’t watch the video

There was too much text to read

The text was too complicated / I didn’t understand the page

Did you find the information that you wanted?

Do you feel any information on this page is incorrect?

Had you heard of PDSA before you came to this site?

Which of the following best describes you?

Please describe

Any comments

Please note, our vets and nurses are unable to respond to questions via this form. If you are concerned about your pet’s health, please contact your vet directly.

Thank you for your feedback

Want to hear more about PDSA and get pet care tips from our vet experts?

Sign up to our e-newsletter

Will you donate to help keep people and pets together?

Not everyone can afford to pay for treatment or advice for their poorly pets right now. That is why our Pet Health Hub is free for all pet owners to access.

As we receive no Government funding, we rely solely on donations from kind supporters like you.

Your support means we can keep providing this care. Please, support PDSA and donate to help keep people and pets together.