Cats and Liver Disease: What To Do If Your Cat Has It

Your cat’s liver is a quiet powerhouse, working tirelessly behind the scenes to filter toxins, aid digestion, and keep their little bodies running smoothly. Because it plays such a vital role in their overall health, any impact on its function can be quite serious, affecting everything from your cat's daily energy levels to their long-term comfort and longevity.

Understanding the signs of liver disease in cats is a wonderful first step in being a proactive pet parent. By knowing what to look for, you can ensure an early diagnosis and implement the right nutritional support, both of which are incredibly effective in managing the condition and helping your cat get back to their happy, purring self.

So, how can you recognise if your cat has liver problems? And more importantly, how can you help them get better? We've put together this handy guide to help cat lovers deal with cat liver disease. 

Cats are always behaving strangely. Some even more strangely than others that they end up getting viral on the internet! So cat parents may just shrug off odd behaviour as one of their funny, unique quirks. 

However, if your cat is refusing treats, meowing/crying out more frequently and you’ve noticed them becoming increasingly lethargic, vomiting, experiencing diarrhea, showing inappetence, losing weight, developing jaundice or having increased thirst and urination, chances are your cat might have liver disease.

Cats can suffer from a large number of different liver diseases and each one has its own set of causes, symptoms and treatment options. Liver disease in cats can be caused by different factors, including obesity, infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic), toxins, and congenital issues like portosystemic shunts.

The scary thing is if you don’t know what you are looking for it can be very difficult to tell if your cat has liver disease. If left untreated, most liver diseases can lead to death in just a few short months. We’ve also mentioned a few times in our other blogs that cats are masters at hiding pain. This makes it doubly difficult to determine what’s going on with them. Are they suffering? Do they just want attention? Sometimes we really do wish our cats could talk and just tell us how to help them.

Early detection of liver disease in cats is critical, as many conditions are treatable with aggressive medical and nutritional support. But as responsible cat parents, it’s important that we learn everything we can about cat liver disease so we can fully understand what our cat is going through and make sure they get the right treatment.

What Is Cat Liver Disease? (Signs, Symptoms & Causes)

Cat liver disease is a broad category of diseases and conditions affecting the cat liver. It is the second leading cause of death in cats, yet many cases are preventable. 

The liver is the largest internal organ in your cat’s body and plays a critical role in digestion. It weighs about three pounds and is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, slightly under the diaphragm. It produces bile, which breaks down fat so it can be absorbed by the body. It also stores nutrients and regulates blood clotting. 

It’s also good to note that animals have a much more complicated liver than humans because it has to deal with so many different kinds of toxins. Some animals, especially cats, are very sensitive to various chemicals and medications that humans can handle quite easily.

There are many different types of liver disease in cats and most cases of feline liver disease are caused by more than one factor. Overweight cats and obese cats are at higher risk for developing liver disease, especially hepatic lipidosis. Often it’s due to a build-up of fat, which can cause inflammation and blockage of the bile ducts that lead from the liver to the small intestine.

A lot of times, most people don't know their cat has a liver problem until it is too late. There are some clinical signs and symptoms that you can watch for with your cat to determine if he or she has liver disease. 

• Weight loss
• Lethargic
• Abdominal swelling
• Excessive drooling
• Crying without reason
• Disorientation and confusion
• Wandering all over the house and being "out of character"
• Increased thirst and urination
• Darkening urine
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes, gums or skin)
• Fluid accumulation under the skin or in the abdomen or chest
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite or reduced interest in eating
• Constipation or increased frequency of defecation
• Changes in water consumption

One of the most common liver diseases in cats is hepatic lipidosis, also known as fatty liver syndrome. It is the most common cause of liver disease in cats and often occurs after a period of anorexia, especially in overweight or obese cats, who may lose at least 25% of their body weight during this time. Hepatic lipidosis is characterised by excessive accumulation of fat within the liver, leading to liver failure if not treated promptly. Diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis is typically confirmed through blood tests indicating poor liver function and may involve a liver biopsy or fine needle aspirate to analyse liver fat content.

Cats who suffer from liver disease can be treated but early and accurate diagnosis is important. A physical examination may reveal an enlarged liver or abdominal mass, and blood tests, CT scans, and obtaining a liver sample (via biopsy or needle aspiration) are important for accurate diagnosis. If you notice your cat has lost weight or is simply behaving oddly, take them to the vet for an exam right away. The earlier liver disease is diagnosed and the underlying cause is identified, the better your cat’s prognosis will be.

💡 Petz Park Alert

The most common sign of cat liver disease is jaundice. If you notice yellow tinting on your cat’s whites or his eyes appear yellow instead of clear, call your vet right away.

Cat Liver Disease Treatment Options

The first step in addressing feline liver disease is through prevention and early detection. 

To prevent liver disease, you must learn how you can keep your cat’s liver healthy by feeding with the right diet, supplements and providing them with a clean environment. Jump over to the next section for our list of liver-friendly recommendations. 

To detect liver disease early on, take note of the symptoms above and any time you notice your cat experiencing odd behaviour or acting lethargic, take them to the vet right away. It’s also good to note that a lot of the other symptoms above signal other cat illnesses like cat UTI or, in some cases, it could indicate signs of kidney failure in cats. So even if you’re not sure what’s going on yet, should your cat display any of the above symptoms - your vet might find another health condition that needs immediate treatment.

In any case, here’s what will happen at the vet’s:

If your vet suspects that your cat has liver disease, he or she will probably recommend a blood test to check for elevated levels of liver enzymes. Liver enzyme levels are important indicators of liver dysfunction and can also be affected by endocrine diseases like hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus. If these are present, a biopsy may be necessary to conclusively diagnose liver disease, often performed with minimal discomfort. Further tests may be needed if initial assessments are inconclusive or if clinical signs change, to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective management.

Treating cat liver disease usually starts with thoughtful dietary management. Your vet might suggest a specialised prescription diet that is gentle on the stomach, nutrient-dense, and specifically formulated to support liver repair. To make things easier on your cat’s system, offering small, frequent meals throughout the day can help them absorb nutrients more effectively while keeping their energy levels stable.

A vital part of supportive care is keeping your feline friend well-hydrated. If your cat is feeling particularly unwell, they may need intravenous (IV) fluids to correct dehydration and flush out toxins. This supportive approach is all about giving the liver the breathing room it needs to regenerate while minimising any discomfort. This care often includes a combination of pain relief, antacids, and anti-nausea medications to help them feel more like themselves.

In cases where a cat has lost their appetite, a feeding tube can be a wonderful tool to ensure they receive the vital nutrition required for recovery. While the idea might sound daunting, these procedures are performed with great care to ensure your cat remains comfortable.

To further protect the liver, your vet may prescribe specific supplements and medications, such as SAMe, ursodiol, or B vitamins. Because the liver is responsible for blood clotting, Vitamin K is sometimes added to prevent complications. For more complex cases, treatments might involve surgery or advanced therapies tailored to the specific cause of the illness.

Ultimately, the goal is to identify and manage the underlying cause while keeping a close eye on your cat’s overall well-being. Because the liver interacts with so many other organs, monitoring their whole-body health is the best way to ensure a smooth and steady recovery.

Take note that there are several types of liver diseases, including:

• Lymphocytic Cholangitis
• Neutrophilic Cholangitis
• Hepatic Lipidosis
• Toxic Liver Damage
• Amyloidosis

In addition to the above, there are a number of other cat liver diseases, such as portosystemic shunts, toxoplasmosis and feline infectious peritonitis. Affected cats may show a range of symptoms, including jaundice, liver enlargement, and behavioural changes.

Your doctor will discuss with you exactly what your cat has. In terms of treatment, it depends on the type and severity of the liver disease which is primarily the reason why your vet may order a liver biopsy. Supportive treatments may also be helpful (in addition to specific treatments). These include:

• Intravenous fluid for dehydrated cats
• Nutritional support/changes in diet, including dietary management and prescription diets
• Drugs that will support liver function/blood clotting such as Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), s-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), Vitamin K, B vitamins or Silybin/Silymarin

If your cat requires surgery, your vet will guide you through every step of the process. Once they are ready to head home, you’ll be given a detailed pain management plan to ensure their recovery is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. 

It is also important to be aware of potential complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy. This is a serious condition that occurs when the liver can’t effectively filter toxins from the blood, allowing them to reach the brain. You might notice unusual signs like circling, head pressing against walls, seizures, or sudden changes in their personality.

While these symptoms can be frightening, prompt diagnosis and intervention make a world of difference. Acting quickly allows your veterinary team to provide the life-saving care your cat needs to get back on the mend.

Petz Park Tip:

How long does it take for my cat to heal from liver disease?

It will vary from cat to cat but it's not uncommon for a cat to take 3-6 months to fully recover from liver disease. This is because the liver has a poor ability to regenerate itself, so it takes time for your pet's body to repair the damage done. Managing liver disease effectively, with supportive treatment and attention to underlying disease, can improve recovery and quality of life.

How Do I Keep My Cat’s Liver Healthy?

The quick answer: the right nutrition and regular visits to the vet especially if your cat is older, overweight or has a compromised immune system. 

Cats are a challenge to feed. Since they are carnivores, this means that they need certain nutrients that are only found in animal tissues. They cannot get these nutrients from plant sources. In addition to that, they are simply picky eaters.

A cat's diet plays a crucial role in maintaining liver health. Proper nutrition supports the liver's ability to detoxify, metabolise, and store nutrients, while poor dietary choices or imbalances can impair these essential functions and contribute to liver disease. Finding the right balance of meat and vegetables can be tricky for cat owners who want to keep their pet's liver healthy but if you know what to look for and what to feed your cat, it’s easy!

Here are some suggestions for safeguarding your pet's liver:

- Feed your cat food with high-quality ingredients. 

Avoid giving them foods containing by-products or fillers that are harmful both for their liver and overall health.

- Feed your cat a variety of proteins. 

Cats need a high level of protein in their diet to help maintain strong muscles and promote healthy organ function - but too much protein can cause them to develop liver disease. The best way to keep your cat's liver healthy is to feed them quality cat food that contains less than 30% protein. Many cat foods contain up to 35% protein or more, so be sure to read the labels carefully before buying.

- Feed your cat healthy liver supplements.

Boosting your cat’s regular diet with liver-friendly supplements could help them fight liver disease (if they’re currently healing from it) or avoid it altogether.

- Avoid too much dry food.

For a number of reasons, too much dry food in their overall diet is generally not good for cats. It can cause dehydration, the buildup of plaque and tartar in their teeth and it’s hard to digest. So for cats with liver disease, dry food is something you should avoid giving altogether.

- Formulate a feeding plan based on age.

Since aging affects metabolism, it is advisable to change the feeding plan of your cat when they get older. Older cats need fewer calories than younger ones, but they require more high-quality protein and less fat. 

- Avoid feeding your cat with human food. 

The food we eat may not be liver-friendly or sometimes toxic for your cat. Natural toxins can also cause liver disease in cats if ingested, so always be cautious about what your cat has access to.

- Be aware of the medication your cat is taking.

There are prescription medications that can cause liver problems in cats. Some of these medications should be avoided, especially if your cat is on a diet. Ask your vet about medication prescribed to your cat to ensure it’s safe for their liver.

- Feed your cat with food that’s rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Giving your cat more seafood or tuna will provide them with Omega-3 fatty acids which are proven to keep their liver healthy. You can also choose to provide them with Omega-3 supplements.

- Provide fresh water at all times.

Cats need plenty of clean water. Not only is it best to maintain their overall health but the liver also needs water in order to function properly. If your cat isn't getting enough water from her food or from other sources, then you should provide her with a bowl of water as well as an automatic waterer.

- Limit giving treats.

Many commercial treats contain high amounts of sugar which can increase the risk of diabetes and lead to other health problems. Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for liver disease in cats, as it can increase lipid metabolism and storage, leading to hepatic lipidosis and secondary liver issues. So even if your cat puts on the cutest face and does the most irresistible things, you need to keep treats in check to keep your cat healthy.

Beyond a balanced diet, keeping your cat active through play is a wonderful way to support their liver. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital, as it helps prevent obesity—a known risk factor for liver-related issues. Of course, a clean environment and a loving home are just as essential for their overall resilience.

It is important to stay mindful of inflammatory conditions like cholangitis or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which often occur alongside liver issues in cats. Early intervention is the best way to manage this chronic inflammation before it affects their long-term health.

During home checks, keep an eye on your cat’s gums and the whites of their eyes. Any yellowing (jaundice) or unusual paleness can be an early whisper from the body that the liver needs help. In some cases, your vet may recommend a liver tissue biopsy; while it sounds significant, it is the gold standard for getting an accurate diagnosis and tailoring a precise recovery plan for your cat.

It may seem like a lot of work to make sure your cat has a healthy liver, but the effort is worth it. Going the extra mile means that your favourite feline friend will be able to stay active all day long and enjoy life to the fullest. Proper care and nutrition can significantly enhance your cat's quality of life, especially when managing or preventing liver disease. The key thing to remember, however, is that much like human diseases, prevention and early detection is crucial when it comes to ensuring that your cat avoids liver disease altogether or is treated right away before it becomes fatal. 

Regular check-ups with professionals trained in veterinary medicine are essential for early detection and effective management of liver disease in cats.

This information is intended as general information only. It was not written or intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please seek professional guidance from your pet’s veterinarian before taking any action that could affect your pet’s health.