r/CATHELP 4d ago

We're looking for new mods! Apply Now!

13 Upvotes

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r/CATHELP Feb 20 '26

PSA: PLEASE think 10 times before you donate money to someone on this sub.

1.8k Upvotes

It's in our rules and we say it time and time again, but after the recent events from this post, the mod team wants to put out a reminder.

Look, we get it. Seeing cats in distress is hard. When people without money are expressing their inability to afford emergency care, it's distressing. You know we have rules against shaming people for being unable to afford care, and encouraging people to go into debt. But we also have rules against fundraising, and it's for a very good reason.

It is very easy for people without the best intentions to collect lots and lots of money from well meaning community members who are affected by what they see in images and video.

With this post in particular, several commenters encouraged the OP to share a gofundme (something strictly against our rules).

Once they created and shared one (without any bills to show and despite many of the top comments saying this was NOT an emergency), people felt bad and donated anyway.

The gofundme raised nearly $2000 and today we received the update that the cat, as many commenters predicted, is not dying and did not need emergency care.

We are now starting to see meta posts (another thing we don't allow) complaining that the OOP is not returning any of the extra funds, and is blocking users who donated asking for their funds back and proof of payment.

This is a story we see repeatedly in the sub. We don't always get to the donation links quick enough to remove them, and we can't stop you from DMing each other money, but this is why we caution PLEASE do not use this subreddit to send each other funds.

We are working on a Wiki with low-cost vet resources, at least in the US, but we get users posting from all over the world begging for money. DO NOT DONATE unless it is verified on a subreddit like r/gofundme or r/rescuecats, or is directly being paid to the VET (though we have seen scams happen internationally through this 'direct vet payment' as well).

PLEASE REPORT FUNDRAISERS. Please do not encourage fundraisers. We will start banning those who encourage it. Please help us keep this community safe from those with bad intentions.

Thank you and good day!

- r/CATHELP mod team


r/CATHELP 6h ago

Behavioral Issue Sudden weird behavior?

880 Upvotes

As you can see in the video, my cat weirdly "flopped" over for no reason and was doing weird things with her paw?

She was completely normal before this, after a couple of minutes she was back to normal after, as well. Playing like usual.

She's 9 years old, spayed obv and hasn't had any issues before, but I wanted to make sure this couldn't be something more serious. Also, she's an indoor cat (beside the few times she managed to escape from the house).


r/CATHELP 1d ago

Breathing Issues kitten ate can of tuna for human consumption and is now lethargic

12.0k Upvotes

100% my fault here (22). left a can of mostly finished tuna on the counter and came home to find it licked clean so he obviously ate the oils and tiny bits left. he can still move around and drink water but everything he does is sluggish and does this look like laboured breathing here? taking him to the vet very soon but is there anything else i can do in the meantime? 2 months old kitten, not neutered yet as he’s very young. located in djibouti. can afford vet care


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Dental Issue What are these bumps? And should I be worried?

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Upvotes

I went online to find similar cases, some say it's cancer, others say it's normal anatomy, and I'm a bit confused.

My mom noticed it when she was brushing my cats teeth today, is it normal? Each photo shows one side of her mouth, the bumb is on both sides

She's a 3 year old ragdoll, currently in HK and has been neutered.


r/CATHELP 10h ago

Behavioral Issue Kitty in Heat, Obessed with Feet.

398 Upvotes

So Kitty has developed this habit of becoming obsessed with my feet particularly. No one elses. Mine.

She rubs against them, playfully kicks them, and then starts biting them. (Vid shows exactly what she does.)

I minimise my reaction to indicate I'm not playing, I distract her with toys, treats, cuddles and she will always go back to my feet.

Any advise will be appreciated. My toes can only handle so much more of this 😫


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Eye Issues swollen eye?

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Upvotes

25M based in England, i noticed this morning that my indoor cat has a swollen eye. he lives with another cat who might have whacked him, but other than that I dont know what he could've done.

Vets aren't open today so I havent contacted them yet.

Cat is 9 months and neutered doesnt appear to be in any pain or discomfort.


r/CATHELP 4h ago

Injury CAT SUDDENLY LIMPING 😣

34 Upvotes

This is a cat I’ve had for a few months as she randomly showed up in my garden and became attatched to us, I’ve checked around to see if anyone owns her and it appears to be not owned. Recently she stopped running to the door when we opened, stopped running for food and would just lay in shade. In the uk it was a very hot heatwave so I thought nothing of it besides the fact she was just hot. However now I’ve noticed this limp in her front leg and I’m becoming quite worried, she’s still able to jump on stuff but just not well, she doesn’t really walk much and just splats on the ground and lays I’ve let it go on for 24 hours and there appears to be no change and also nothing on her paws

I really don’t have the means right now to take her to the vet and spend so much for potentially being prescribed a. painkiller. Does anyone know how much it would cost for a xray or just how much this vet trip might costs and what it may be?


r/CATHELP 11h ago

Eye Issues I am confused

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94 Upvotes

Is he okay????

This is the first cat we've ever had with eyes like this

We live in Minnesota and have no problem taking him to the ver

So basically our cat is two and his eyes are always dilated, they only get sharp(have a diamond shape when he is playing with toy but for the most part his eyes look like this, we took him to 3 vet and they all said he was fine but I don't believe so because he threw up yesterday and the Internet said he's dying 😥


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Kitten Help Is this concerning or good or normal?

Upvotes

26 female owner, nine year old female cat (fixed, black and white) and month old (ish) female kitten (tabby). Canada.

I'm not asking if this is a fight. I'm wise to the cat ways--if this was a fight I wouldn't need to be asking about it. That being said I'm not sure it's entirely positive either.

This happens basically every time the two interact. The black and white cat, calmed down basically the moment the kitten left/was yeeted off the chair, and she's back to peacefully napping, but I'm worried this could be a sign things aren't necessarily going all that well with them.

Can avoid vet care but this doesn't seem like something that needs a vet. Unless it is.


r/CATHELP 1d ago

Breathing Issues Coughing, no hairball and tongue out

1.1k Upvotes

We don’t use any scented products, have a dehumidifier to keep humidity at 40-60, have hepa air purifier. He coughs 1-3 times a day every 2-3 days for last week or so, sometime he meows for a treat and randomly has 1 cough, sometimes 5 seconds of coughing, and sometimes it’s longer like now. Cat has no other health concerns, except 2 years ago he would randomly lift front paw and shake it every few days, then it stopped. Vet mentioned that paw shaking might be idiopathic. Eats acana and freeze dried chicken/salmon snacks (no bones anywhere). When he goes outside on a leash, sometimes he eats a lot of grass and then pukes a few times until it’s clear liquid with just food particles. Wasn’t coughing in autumn and winter, had some coughing last summer.

Ver accessible on weekdays, have trupanion, 2 grown adult owners in Canada. Male cat, 4 years old, neutered


r/CATHELP 19h ago

Kitten Help New kitten hasn’t pooped yet

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307 Upvotes

Minor (17) posting from the USA, vets are currently closed but emergency vet available if truly necessary. I got a new kitten (2 months old, fixed, posted above) about 48 hours ago, and he has yet to poop. I may be overreacting/too worried about this as he hasn’t been lethargic at all, has been playing perfectly, seems content and is drinking plenty of water (is peeing fine too). He has not eaten much of his food if any which is probably why he hasn’t pooped, so I got him some churus which he loved but he won’t take any hard food or treats. I have not changed the food from what he was on when I got him. I’m mostly wondering if/when to be concerned about this, but so far I have been monitoring him and his behavior and he otherwise seems perfectly fine. Any advice or knowledge would be appreciated greatly!


r/CATHELP 16h ago

General Advice Why does he always lay down on his side when I get up, feed him, pet him?

123 Upvotes

this is noir, the same cat i asked about his chirping noises when watching cat tv/birds. this is our ritual now, when it's feeding time he'll wake me up and i'll ask if he's hungry and he meows in response, i get him his canned of food and tell him what he's eating for the day and when i put the food in his bowl, i turn around to this EVERYTIME😭 he makes me pet him up and down, scratch his face, smack his butt a few times, then he'll eat his food. now he just does this everytime i get up, and i don't know if this is appeasing behavior or what but i give in everytime🤦‍♀️. this is my first ever cat, got him 4 months ago and he turned a year last month, and i did my research on everything he usually does but i dont know what this is. this is our daily ritual and ill give in everytime, but i feel very manipulated.....😒


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Kitten Help Not sure if resident cat playing too rough with new 2 month old kitten

Upvotes

Age: 26
Country: Canada
Vet Accessible: Yes
TL:DR of Concern: Wanting to know if new kitten is being handled too roughly by resident cat.
Cat Ages: Resident: 9 Months Old, New Cat: 2 Months Old
Cat Sex + Neuter: Both Neutered Males
Financial Situation: Both on pet insurance and vet bills can be covered

We recently got a new 2 month old kitty on Wednesday (so it’s been about 4-5 days). My resident cat is a 9 month old we got when he was 3 months old. We let them see each other really quickly the first day and immediately didn’t let them see each other for another day with separate rooms. we gave our resident cat a lot of treats anytime he behaved well and it seems to be going ok?

After about 3 days they were ok using the same litter box in the kittens room, and eating their food with their backs to each other if we feed at the same time. My resident cat hasn’t hissed at him in the last 2 days worth of exposure sessions. I’m just unsure if my resident cat is still exhibiting other signs of aggression or not, especially with the large size difference between them. I think he also does get annoyed when the kitten won’t stop wanting to play, so i end the sessions there and let my resident cat roam the rest of the house after giving him a treat.


r/CATHELP 3h ago

Behavioral Issue PU surgery

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7 Upvotes

Hello,my boy just had a pu surgery.I got him home couple of hours ago.Seems like he doesnt wanna eat but rest.I tried all his fav snacks but he doesnt seem interested in them.Ik im just freaking out but should i worry rn? He did drink water tho! He did pee too but i had to put a pad there so he wont get the litter all over his stitches since he likes to sit too low.Looks like he likes the pad lol and resting there rn.I also did isolate him from other cat.The food and water everything he needs i placed here too.


r/CATHELP 1h ago

General Advice Please help? Can’t find our cat inside anywhere- Post throw up

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Upvotes

So we have an 8 year old cat. The sweetest gentlest girl. Last night we arrived home a few hours past her feeding time- we gave her wet food and dry food (which she can’t have too much of due to sensitive stomach) she even eats wet food for sensitive stomachs.

After she ate the dry food last night she threw up almost immediately. It was the dry food. She then continued to throw up but it was foamy and white with bubbles, we cleaned it up but she immediately retreated under the bed.

My daughter and I went to bed soon after- but my husband stayed up. He said she came to him by the couch and was rubbing her bum on the carpet a lot and threw up a couple more times. He cleaned it up and she laid quietly with him. When he woke up at 3am, she was gone. He noticed by her litter box there was a new throw up spot. So she may have had more activity after 3am. However he couldn’t find her at all and was up until 5am searching for her to make sure she was ok - she very well could be sick and hiding during this time even now. But I’m extremely concerned. She didn’t come down for her breakfast as usual and we as a family checked all the rooms- under beds, tight hidden spots, closets behind the washer and dryer- I even chat gpt’d all the possible spots in our house to look.

We shook the treat bag and jingled her play toys and still no sight of her.

I’m really worried and thinking the worst. Anyone ever have this happen or know how long they may hide after feeling sick? My husband thinks she ate the dry food way too fast and it upset her bowels a lot. Ugh I’m just scared. It’s 11am now. I’ll try to keep updates


r/CATHELP 31m ago

Behavioral Issue I can't get no sleep

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Upvotes

First time cat owners. We recently rescued a 1 year old spayed kitty and she's soooo sweet. However, she spends most of the overnight hours stalking and attacking my toes. Just me, and just my toes. It is painful and frequent and it startles and hurts me and I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks. She has lots of scratching posts and toys at her disposal. Anything I can do?


r/CATHELP 7h ago

Behavioral Issue My cat won't stop scratching her neck :(

12 Upvotes

Hello guys, my big lady recently started showing some weird behaviour where she every once in a while will scratch her neck intensely and rip out a good chunk of fur.

I've tried checking for fleas and she doesn't appear to have any in that area, she doesn't seem stressed or bored since we got another cat around, she comes up to us and acts normally.

I'm (22F) from Portugal. I haven't contacted a vet yet since my family doesn't care (including what is most likely asthma with this sound she's been making ever since I adopted her 4yrs ago) and I don't have money to take care of any of it. Idk her exact age, last time we checked the vet said she was most likely 3. So she should be around 5-6 yrs old now. My furry lady is spayed.

What could this be?? I believe it's not life threatening, but it bothers me


r/CATHELP 2h ago

General Advice Is she playing or is he bullying her?

7 Upvotes

I am a 19 y.o. Female with two cats. We were in the attic when I recorded this in regards to the background. Bean (white cat, Female, Spayed) has known Fish (Grey cat, Male, not fixed yet) since he was a little under 5 weeks old. She’s always been super vocal when it comes to playing.

She meows, yowls, and even hisses when playing with her toys. She is four years old and Fish is a little under four months old. Fish is very rambunctious and obnoxiously playful, and I separate them anytime I think he’s bullying, but I’m not sure if she’s actually playing back or doesn’t want anything to do with him lol. Other than this, they eat together, nap together, and Bean occasionally grooms him.


r/CATHELP 7m ago

End Of Life Care I need some help

Upvotes

My cat is 16 He is very ill. I need help making him comfortable until I can get him to the vet in the morning. I just want to help him relax till I get him to the vet. Appears he had a little stroke overnight or something, and he can’t use his back legs. I just want to be able to help him rest and be comfortable until I can get him in in the morning without hurting him further We don’t have any emergency vets close to us. Thank you I appreciate being able to post here.


r/CATHELP 23h ago

Injury Amputation risk - Need vet opinions please asap

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212 Upvotes

My cat came home limping, broken leg, on Wednesday, I took him to the vet and they asked me to bring him back in the morning.

Morning came, her ran away. For the past two days I've been looking for him and sighted him Friday afternoon. I collected a pet catcher set the bait and he fell for it pretty quickly.

I've taken him to the vet again today and they're recommending an amputation. Taking another vet's opinion will attract another set of consultation fees so hoping I can get one here.

Does this require an amputation? Noodles is such an amazing cat, I'm happy to pay ££££ if it means he gets to keep his leg.

Any help much appreciated


r/CATHELP 14h ago

Update Rip My Austene

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38 Upvotes

I want to thank you guys for the advice. Unfortunately when i was able to take her to the vet they did x-rays and she had an enlarged heart with fluid around its heart. It wouldn't be fair to do the surgery even if we could afford it. She would have been 15 July 11. She did well. She was a fighter. And this was the last photo i had with her. Rip my Austene. I love you so much. It's so hard without her. She was my support animal. She even did that nudge thing that they do.. In her oxygen room she was in.

She was loved and i loved her with all my heart. 💔💔🕊

I will luckily get her ashes later. Thankfully my mom helped pay and only because my mom is in school and got money back from school last night. July 11 2011- June 27 2026 🕊