Cats can be remarkably subtle when something is wrong.

A sick cat does not always:

cry

collapse

stop moving

or:

make their discomfort obvious.

Instead, you may notice that Luna:

doesn't finish breakfast

stays upstairs instead of greeting you

stops jumping onto the windowsill

sleeps somewhere unusual

leaves more food than normal

grooms less

or:

uses the litter tray differently.

Cornell lists appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, discharge, weight loss, urinary changes, excessive thirst, breathing changes, lethargy and rapidly developing swelling among signs that can indicate feline illness.

The useful question is therefore often not:

“Does my cat look sick?”

but:

“What has changed from my cat's normal?”

Cats can hide signs of illness and pain

This is particularly important in feline health.

Cats may show pain or disease through:

small behavioural changes

rather than dramatic outward signs.

AAHA's feline pain guidance specifically notes that guardians are particularly important in recognising behavioural changes associated with chronic pain.

So:

Subtle does not automatically mean insignificant.

A cat that suddenly stops sleeping on the bed may simply have chosen somewhere else.

But if they also:

stop jumping

move stiffly

groom less

and:

become less interactive

the pattern becomes more meaningful.

1. Eating less or stopping eating

Appetite is one of the most useful feline health signals.

Watch for:

leaving food

eating smaller portions

approaching food but walking away

stopping eating completely

difficulty chewing

or:

sudden changes in food preference.

Loss of appetite can accompany many conditions, including:

pain

dental disease

nausea

gastrointestinal disease

kidney disease

infection

and other illness.

Merck includes not eating among the common signs that a cat may be sick.

Importantly:

A cat not eating should not automatically be treated as merely “being fussy.”

Appetite changes matter particularly in cats

Prolonged inadequate food intake can itself become clinically important in cats.

So rather than creating a universal:

“Wait X days.”

rule, consider:

how much your cat is eating

how long the change has lasted

their age

their existing health

and:

what other symptoms are present.

Contact a veterinarian sooner when appetite loss occurs with:

vomiting

diarrhoea

weakness

weight loss

pain

dehydration

or:

major behaviour change.

For deeper guidance, see:

Cat Not Eating? Common Reasons and When to Contact a Vet — Article 16.

2. Drinking more than usual

Increased thirst can be easy to miss.

You might instead notice:

the water bowl emptying faster

more visits to the fountain

drinking from taps

or:

seeking water in unusual places.

Merck includes increased thirst and frequent urination among common signs of feline illness.

Persistent increased thirst can occur with conditions including:

kidney disease

diabetes

hyperthyroidism

and other disorders.

But increased thirst alone does not tell you:

which condition is responsible.

Record the change and discuss persistent unexplained increases with your veterinarian.

3. Urinating more often

Drinking and urination should be considered together.

You may notice:

larger urine clumps

more clumps than normal

more frequent litter-tray visits

or:

urination outside the tray.

Cornell lists both frequent urination and excessive thirst among potential signs of illness.

For 1KAHU:

Water + urine + litter-tray behaviour should be connected health signals.

Not three unrelated notes.

4. Straining to urinate

This requires particular attention.

Signs can include:

repeated litter-tray visits

straining

crying or vocalising

producing tiny amounts of urine

licking the genital area

or:

producing no urine.

Cornell identifies straining, painful urination, blood in urine and changes in urinary frequency as signs requiring veterinary attention.

If your cat is:

repeatedly attempting to urinate but producing little or no urine

seek urgent veterinary care.

INABILITY TO URINATE = EMERGENCY

This is especially important in male cats, in whom urethral obstruction is a well-recognised life-threatening emergency.

5. Urinating outside the litter tray

Do not automatically interpret this as:

bad behaviour

or:

revenge.

A change in toileting can occur with:

urinary disease

pain

mobility problems

stress

litter-tray aversion

or other causes.

The important question is:

Why has the behaviour changed?

Record:

where

how often

whether the cat strains

whether urine volume appears different

and:

whether anything else has changed.

6. Vomiting

Cats do occasionally vomit.

But:

frequent vomiting should not automatically be dismissed as normal feline behaviour.

Cornell recommends prompt veterinary evaluation when frequent vomiting occurs alongside signs such as:

lethargy

weakness

reduced appetite

blood

thirst or urination changes

or:

diarrhoea.

For deeper guidance, see:

Cat Vomiting: Common Causes and When to Contact a Vet — Article 32.

7. Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be:

mild and temporary

or:

a sign of significant disease.

Cornell notes that persistent diarrhoea can occur with gastrointestinal disorders but may also accompany conditions including:

thyroid disease

kidney or liver disease

viral disease

immune abnormalities

and:

lymphoma.

Contact a veterinarian if diarrhoea:

persists

recurs

contains blood

or occurs with:

vomiting

poor appetite

lethargy

weakness

or:

weight loss.

For more detail:

Cat Diarrhoea: Common Causes and Warning Signs — Article 34.

8. Constipation or difficulty passing stool

Changes in defecation matter in both directions.

Watch for:

repeated attempts to defecate

hard or dry stool

small quantities

crying or discomfort

or:

no stool when you would normally expect it.

Merck includes hard, dry stool among common signs that may indicate feline illness.

But there is an important safety issue:

A guardian may mistake urinary straining for constipation.

If you are not sure whether your cat is trying unsuccessfully to:

urinate

or:

defecate

contact a veterinarian promptly.

9. Hiding more than usual

Hiding is normal feline behaviour.

The key word is:

change.

A cat that normally sleeps under the bed every afternoon may simply be following their routine.

But if your sociable cat suddenly:

withdraws

avoids interaction

stays under furniture

or:

stops coming for meals

that change deserves attention.

Cornell notes that frequent hiding and unusual lethargy can be warning signs when assessing feline health.

10. Lethargy or reduced activity

A meaningful reduction in:

energy

alertness

play

or:

interaction

can accompany many illnesses.

Merck specifically advises guardians to notice cats becoming either less or more active than usual.

Look for:

sleeping substantially more

not greeting you

not playing

moving reluctantly

or:

seeming unusually weak.

Lethargy is:

a symptom

not:

a diagnosis.

11. Behaviour or personality changes

Illness may sometimes appear first as:

behaviour change.

Examples include:

withdrawal

irritability

unexpected aggression

clinginess

restlessness

vocalisation

or:

reduced social interaction.

AAHA's emergency guidance notes that sudden aggression, excessive fearfulness or unusual withdrawal may indicate illness, pain or distress.

Do not assume a sudden personality change is:

purely behavioural

until medical causes have been considered.

12. Reduced grooming

Cats normally devote significant time to grooming.

An unwell or painful cat may groom:

less effectively

or:

stop grooming certain areas.

Possible clues include:

greasy coat

matting

dandruff

staining

or:

an generally unkempt appearance.

Cornell notes that a sick cat may develop a dull or patchy coat partly because illness can reduce normal grooming behaviour.

13. Excessive grooming

The opposite can also matter.

Persistent licking or grooming of one area may be associated with:

itching

pain

skin disease

parasites

or:

stress-related behaviour.

The pattern matters.

For example:

repeatedly licking the genital area + frequent litter visits + straining

is very different from:

general grooming after waking up.

14. Weight loss

Weight loss can develop slowly enough that it is difficult to see.

This is especially true with:

long-haired cats.

A cat may lose meaningful body weight before the change becomes visually obvious.

Weight loss can accompany:

reduced food intake

dental disease

gastrointestinal disease

kidney disease

hyperthyroidism

diabetes

cancer

and many other conditions.

Cornell lists weight loss among signs that should prompt concern about feline health.

That makes:

regular weight tracking

one of the most useful forms of longitudinal feline health monitoring.

15. Weight loss despite eating well

This combination deserves particular attention.

A cat that:

eats normally or excessively

while:

losing weight

may have an underlying medical problem.

Do not assume that a good appetite means:

“Everything must be fine.”

The combination of symptoms matters more than either observation alone.

16. Difficulty jumping

This can be one of the most overlooked feline health changes.

A cat with pain may:

hesitate before jumping

choose lower surfaces

stop using stairs

pull themselves up rather than jumping cleanly

or:

stop reaching favourite resting places.

AAHA's feline pain guidance emphasises guardian observations when assessing chronic pain because behavioural and mobility changes at home can be particularly informative.

So:

“She doesn't jump onto the counter anymore”

can be health information.

Not merely:

a welcome behavioural improvement.

17. Stiffness or limping

Merck lists:

stiffness

limping

and:

not bearing weight

among common illness signs in cats.

Watch for:

difficulty getting up

slow stair use

shortened jumps

altered gait

hesitation

or:

obvious lameness.

Cats may adapt their environment around pain rather than showing an obvious limp.

18. Changes in posture

Pain or illness can sometimes alter the way a cat:

sits

lies

walks

or:

holds their body.

Examples include:

hunched posture

guarding the abdomen

unusual crouching

or:

reluctance to settle comfortably.

AAHA's pain-assessment principles specifically include observation of:

posture + gait + behaviour

as part of feline pain assessment.

19. Vocalising more—or less

A change in vocalisation can matter.

Some cats may:

cry

growl

hiss

howl

or:

meow more frequently

when uncomfortable.

Others may become:

quieter.

Again:

change from normal matters more than whether your cat is naturally vocal.

20. Breathing changes

This is one of the most important categories.

Watch for:

rapid breathing at rest

laboured breathing

pronounced abdominal effort

wheezing

difficulty settling

or:

open-mouth breathing.

AAHA notes that cats do not normally pant in the way dogs do and identifies open-mouth breathing/panting in a cat as a medical emergency.

OPEN-MOUTH OR LABOURED BREATHING = EMERGENCY

Do not wait to see whether it resolves overnight.

21. Coughing or wheezing

Coughing in cats can sometimes be mistaken for:

trying to bring up a hairball.

Persistent:

coughing

wheezing

or:

respiratory effort

deserves veterinary assessment.

Merck includes coughing and wheezing among common signs of feline illness.

If coughing occurs with:

open-mouth breathing

blue or pale gums

collapse

or:

marked respiratory effort

seek urgent care.

22. Sneezing or nasal discharge

Occasional sneezing may not be significant.

But watch for:

repeated sneezing

nasal discharge

eye discharge

reduced appetite

or:

breathing changes.

Cornell notes that runny eyes, sneezing and nasal discharge can indicate respiratory disease.

23. Eye changes

Look for:

redness

squinting

cloudiness

discharge

swelling

visible injury

or:

sudden changes in vision.

AAHA advises urgent attention for eye injuries because delay can increase the risk of complications or vision loss.

A cat holding one eye closed should not simply be assumed to have:

“something irritating it.”

24. Ear changes

Signs include:

scratching

head shaking

odour

redness

discharge

or:

pain when the ear is touched.

Merck includes itchy or dirty ears among common signs that warrant attention.

Cornell also notes that abnormal ear discharge can accompany mites or bacterial/yeast infection.

25. Skin and coat changes

Watch for:

hair loss

persistent scratching

redness

scabs

sores

dandruff

matted coat

or:

changes in coat quality.

Merck includes hair loss and generalized itching among common signs of feline illness.

Skin changes can have many possible causes.

Appearance alone does not reliably identify them.

26. Bad breath or difficulty eating

Oral and dental disease can be painful.

Possible signs include:

bad breath

drooling

difficulty chewing

dropping food

eating on one side

pawing at the mouth

or:

reduced appetite.

A cat that:

walks eagerly to the bowl but struggles to eat

may have a very different problem from a cat that:

has no interest in food at all.

Record that distinction.

27. Increased or unusual vocalisation in older cats

Older cats may develop:

increased night-time vocalisation

confusion

restlessness

or:

changes in interaction.

Possible causes can include:

pain

sensory changes

medical disease

or:

cognitive dysfunction.

Do not automatically label these changes:

“old age.”

Ageing increases disease risk.

It does not explain every symptom.

28. Confusion or disorientation

Watch for:

staring

appearing lost in familiar spaces

getting stuck

circling

sudden loss of coordination

or:

altered responsiveness.

Neurological changes deserve prompt veterinary assessment.

If your cat:

collapses

becomes unresponsive

or:

cannot stand

seek urgent veterinary care.

29. Seizures

A seizure may involve:

collapse

stiffening

paddling

tremors

drooling

or:

altered consciousness.

Seizures can have multiple causes, including:

neurological disease

metabolic problems

and:

toxins.

Cornell includes seizures among possible signs of feline poisoning, and immediate veterinary care can be critical.

Do not put your fingers near your cat's mouth during a seizure.

Keep them:

away from hazards

and:

seek veterinary guidance urgently.

30. Lumps or swelling

A new lump does not automatically mean:

cancer.

But new or changing swellings deserve assessment.

Cornell includes swelling that:

appears rapidly

or:

continues increasing in size

among signs requiring veterinary attention.

Record:

location

approximate size

date noticed

and:

whether it changes.

31. Signs of poisoning

Cats can be particularly vulnerable to certain toxins.

Possible poisoning signs include:

vomiting

diarrhoea

seizures

lethargy

appetite loss

unsteady movement

drooling

breathing changes

and:

urinary problems.

Important feline hazards include some:

plants

human medications

household chemicals

and:

products intended for other species.

Cornell specifically warns that some dog flea products can be acutely toxic to cats.

SUSPECTED TOXIN EXPOSURE = ACT PROMPTLY

Contact:

your veterinarian

an emergency veterinary service

or:

an appropriate animal poison service for your country or region.

Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

And:

Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinary or poison professional specifically instructs you to.

For 1KAHU, poison resources should always be:

location-aware

rather than defaulting to a US telephone number for a global audience.

32. “My cat just isn't themselves”

This deserves its own section because it is so relevant to cats.

You might notice:

Luna didn't greet me this morning.

Milo is sleeping in the wardrobe.

Nala didn't jump onto the bed.

Leo hasn't groomed himself today.

Individually, none gives you a diagnosis.

But guardians know:

routines + preferences + habits + personalities.

A consistent change can therefore be meaningful health information.

You do not need to know what is wrong before contacting your veterinarian.

Recognising that:

something has changed

is enough to begin the conversation.

When should I contact a veterinarian?

There is no single timer that works for every cat.

Urgency depends on:

what changed

how severe it is

how long it has lasted

whether it is worsening

whether multiple symptoms are present

your cat's age

and:

their existing medical conditions.

Contact a veterinarian if:

• your cat's appetite decreases meaningfully;
• drinking changes persistently;
• urination frequency or volume changes;
• vomiting recurs;
• diarrhoea persists or recurs;
• constipation or straining occurs;
• your cat becomes unusually withdrawn;
• lethargy persists;
• weight changes without explanation;
• grooming changes significantly;
• mobility or jumping ability changes;
• coughing or wheezing occurs;
• eye or nasal discharge persists;
• skin or ear problems develop;
• behaviour or personality changes;
• a lump appears or changes;
• you repeatedly feel that your cat is simply not acting normally.

Merck's current guidance advises veterinary assessment when these kinds of illness signs or other concerning changes are observed.

When is it an emergency?

Seek urgent veterinary care if your cat has:

DIFFICULT OR OPEN-MOUTH BREATHING

Open-mouth breathing in a cat is not normal panting and should be treated as an emergency.

COLLAPSE OR UNRESPONSIVENESS

This can indicate serious respiratory, circulatory, neurological, metabolic or toxic disease.

BLUE, GREY, WHITE OR VERY PALE GUMS

Abnormal gum colour can indicate inadequate oxygenation, anaemia, shock or poor circulation.

INABILITY TO URINATE

Repeated attempts with little or no urine can indicate urinary obstruction and require emergency care.

SEIZURES

Particularly repeated seizures or abnormal recovery.

SUDDEN EXTREME WEAKNESS OR PARALYSIS

AAHA classifies sudden weakness or paralysis as time-sensitive emergencies.

MAJOR BLEEDING OR TRAUMA

A cat can have internal injury even if they initially appear relatively normal after trauma.

SUSPECTED POISONING

Prompt veterinary consultation is essential because cats may already be significantly affected by the time visible signs develop.

SEVERE OR RAPID DETERIORATION

If your cat is clearly becoming more unwell over:

minutes or hours

seek urgent veterinary care.

Kittens need extra caution

Kittens have:

smaller reserves

and may deteriorate more rapidly.

Young cats are also vulnerable to important infectious diseases.

For example, feline panleukopenia can cause:

vomiting

diarrhoea

fever

lethargy

loss of appetite

dehydration

and:

abdominal pain, with severe disease particularly concerning in young kittens.

Contact a veterinarian promptly if a kitten develops:

repeated vomiting

diarrhoea

appetite loss

marked lethargy

weakness

respiratory signs

or:

rapid deterioration.

Senior cats need closer monitoring too

Older cats have increased risk of chronic conditions.

New changes such as:

weight loss

increased thirst

increased urination

reduced jumping

stiffness

poor grooming

appetite changes

or:

behaviour changes

should not automatically be dismissed as:

“just getting older.”

Merck currently recommends at least annual veterinary examinations for adult cats and twice-yearly or more frequent assessment for senior cats over roughly 8–9 years, depending on individual needs.

For 1KAHU, however, this should remain:

individual + veterinarian-led

rather than turning one age threshold into a global rule for every cat.

Indoor cats can still become ill

Living indoors can reduce some risks.

It does not eliminate:

dental disease

kidney disease

diabetes

hyperthyroidism

arthritis

urinary disease

cancer

toxins

or many other health problems.

Likewise:

“My cat never goes outside”

does not make unexplained symptoms unimportant.

What should I monitor at home?

For cats, I would structure the everyday baseline slightly differently from dogs.

APPETITE

How much? How quickly? Any food left? Interest in treats?

WATER

Normal? Increased? Reduced?

LITTER TRAY — URINE

Frequency? Clump size? Straining? Blood? Accidents?

LITTER TRAY — STOOL

Frequency? Consistency? Diarrhoea? Constipation? Blood?

WEIGHT

Current weight? Recent trend?

ACTIVITY

Playing? Exploring? Normal energy?

MOBILITY

Jumping? Stairs? Getting onto furniture?

BEHAVIOUR

Social? Hiding? Clingy? Irritable?

GROOMING

Normal? Reduced? Excessive?

SLEEP

Usual locations? Usual pattern?

BREATHING

Normal and comfortable at rest?

EYES / EARS / NOSE

Any discharge or discomfort?

This becomes:

My Cat's Normal

The litter tray should be a core feline health signal

Article 34 established:

For cats, the litter tray is part of the health record.

Article 36 strengthens that principle.

The litter tray can reveal changes in:

urination

stool

frequency

volume

straining

blood

and:

behaviour.

A generic pet-health platform might ask:

“Any toilet problems?”

1KAHU should understand:

feline litter behaviour as structured longitudinal health data.

Multi-cat households create a unique problem

Imagine three cats share several litter trays.

The guardian notices:

much larger urine clumps than usual.

But:

Which cat produced them?

1KAHU should allow:

LITTER UPDATE

Pet

Luna Milo

Nala

Not sure

Then connect later observations.

For example:

MONDAY

Large urine clump — pet unknown

TUESDAY

Milo drinking more

WEDNESDAY

Milo — increased urination

Now the information becomes:

more useful.

Not because AI diagnosed Milo.

Because the platform helped:

connect observations.

Common misconceptions

“If my cat is purring, they can't be sick.”

False.

Purring does not reliably prove that a cat is healthy or pain-free.

“Cats hide when they're sick, so hiding means illness.”

Not necessarily.

Hiding is normal feline behaviour.

A new or substantial change in hiding behaviour is more meaningful.

“My cat is still eating, so they're fine.”

No.

Cats can have significant illness while continuing to eat.

“My cat stopped jumping because they're getting old.”

Possibly—but pain and mobility disease should be considered.

“Vomiting hairballs regularly is completely normal.”

Occasional hairballs occur, but recurrent vomiting deserves attention, particularly with other symptoms.

“Urinating outside the tray is behavioural.”

Not always.

Urinary disease, pain and mobility problems can contribute.

“My male cat keeps trying to pee. I'll see how he is tomorrow.”

Do not.

Repeated unsuccessful attempts to urinate can indicate a life-threatening obstruction.

“Cats pant when they're stressed, like dogs.”

Open-mouth breathing in a cat should be treated seriously and can represent respiratory distress.

“Indoor cats can't be poisoned.”

False.

Common household hazards include medications, plants and chemicals, and some products intended for dogs are dangerous to cats.

“If AI can't diagnose my cat, it isn't useful.”

Also false.

AI can help:

record + organise + compare + recognise patterns + prepare + escalate.

It simply should not pretend that those capabilities are:

diagnosis.

Key Facts

Changes from your cat's normal behaviour can be important early signs of illness.

Common signs include appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst or urination changes, coughing or wheezing, sneezing/discharge, skin changes and mobility problems.

Cats may show chronic pain through behavioural and mobility changes that guardians observe at home.

Persistent vomiting accompanied by weakness, appetite loss, blood, diarrhoea or urinary changes needs veterinary assessment.

Persistent diarrhoea accompanied by poor appetite, lethargy or vomiting needs veterinary attention.

Difficulty or open-mouth breathing in a cat is an emergency.

Inability to urinate requires urgent veterinary care.

Sudden extreme weakness, paralysis, abnormal gum colour, major trauma and serious eye injury can be emergencies.

Suspected poisoning requires prompt action; do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinary or poison professional.

Kittens with vomiting, diarrhoea, appetite loss and marked lethargy require particular caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my cat is sick?

Look for meaningful changes in appetite, drinking, urination, stool, activity, behaviour, grooming, weight, mobility, breathing and litter-tray use. Cats may show illness subtly, so changes from their individual normal can be particularly useful.

What are the first signs of illness in cats?

Possible early signs include eating less, hiding more, reduced activity, altered grooming, weight change, vomiting, stool changes or changes in drinking and urination.

Why is my cat suddenly hiding?

Hiding can be normal, but a sudden change may occur with pain, stress or illness. Consider whether appetite, activity, litter-tray use, mobility or other behaviours have changed too.

Why is my cat sleeping more than usual?

Cats naturally sleep for long periods. What matters is a meaningful change from your cat's usual sleep and activity pattern, particularly if accompanied by appetite loss, weakness or withdrawal.

My cat is eating but seems unwell. Can they still be sick?

Yes. Normal appetite does not exclude pain or disease.

Why is my cat drinking more?

Persistent increased thirst can accompany several illnesses. Record whether urination has increased too and arrange veterinary assessment if the change continues.

Why is my cat going to the litter tray repeatedly?

Possible causes include urinary or gastrointestinal problems. If your cat is repeatedly straining to urinate and producing little or no urine, seek emergency veterinary care.

Why is my cat peeing outside the litter tray?

Medical causes including urinary disease, pain and mobility problems should be considered alongside environmental or behavioural factors.

Is vomiting normal in cats?

Occasional vomiting can occur, but frequent or recurrent vomiting should not automatically be considered normal. Cats with vomiting plus weakness, appetite loss, blood, diarrhoea or urinary changes need prompt veterinary assessment.

How can I tell whether my cat is in pain?

Possible clues include reduced jumping, stiffness, hiding, altered grooming, appetite changes, posture changes, irritability and reduced interaction. Guardian observations are particularly important for chronic feline pain.

Why has my cat stopped jumping?

Pain, arthritis, injury, weakness and other conditions can reduce jumping ability. A persistent change deserves veterinary assessment.

Why has my cat stopped grooming?

Illness, pain, obesity or mobility problems can interfere with normal grooming. A dull or unkempt coat may therefore be a health clue.

Is my cat's coughing actually a hairball?

Coughing and retching can look similar. Record a video if safe and show your veterinarian, particularly if episodes recur or breathing appears abnormal.

Is panting normal for cats?

Unlike dogs, open-mouth breathing or panting is not considered normal feline behaviour and can indicate respiratory distress. Seek urgent veterinary care.

What gum colour is concerning?

Blue, grey, white, purple or markedly pale gums can indicate serious oxygenation or circulatory problems and require urgent veterinary assessment.

Should I worry if my cat is losing weight?

Unexplained weight loss warrants veterinary assessment, particularly when accompanied by changes in appetite, thirst, urination, vomiting, diarrhoea or behaviour.

Can indoor cats still get sick?

Yes. Indoor cats remain susceptible to many medical conditions and household toxins.

When is a cat health problem an emergency?

Difficulty/open-mouth breathing, inability to urinate, collapse, seizures, severe weakness or paralysis, abnormal gum colour, major trauma or bleeding, suspected poisoning and rapid deterioration all warrant urgent care.

Can AI tell me what is wrong with my cat?

AI can help organise observations, recognise recorded patterns and identify situations where veterinary attention may be appropriate. It cannot physically examine your cat and should not diagnose disease or replace a veterinarian.

One Guardian. For All Pets.

1KAHU is a technology platform and is not a provider of veterinary, healthcare or referral services. Professional profiles, credentials and service information should be independently verified where possible, but inclusion on the platform does not replace a guardian's responsibility to confirm that a veterinarian currently treats their species and is appropriate for the individual animal and clinical situation.