What It Is:
Liver disease in cats refers to any condition that affects the liver’s ability to function properly. The liver is responsible for digestion, detoxification, metabolism, and storing nutrients, so when it’s not working right, the effects are wide-reaching.
Liver disease may develop suddenly (acute) or progress slowly (chronic). It ranges from mild and reversible to severe and life-threatening.
🐾 Common Symptoms
Liver disease can cause vague signs early on, but may progress quickly. Symptoms may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea or pale stools
- Increased thirst and urination
- Jaundice (yellowing of gums, eyes, or ears)
- Drooling
- Confusion or disorientation (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Swollen abdomen (fluid buildup)
- Poor coat condition
Cats often hide signs of illness, so subtle changes in behavior should be taken seriously.
🦠 Common Causes
Liver disease can result from many different issues, including:
- Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) – common in overweight cats that stop eating
- Toxins (e.g. acetaminophen, lilies, moldy food, some flea products)
- Infections (bacterial, viral, or parasitic)
- Cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis – inflammation of the bile ducts or liver
- Cancer (primary liver tumors or metastasis from other areas)
- Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pancreatitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – may be linked in triad disease
- Congenital liver shunts (in younger cats)
🔍 Diagnosis
Because symptoms can mimic other illnesses, diagnosing liver disease often requires several tests.
Common diagnostics include:
- Bloodwork (ALT, ALP, AST, bilirubin, bile acids)
- Urinalysis (to check kidney function and overall health)
- Abdominal ultrasound (to assess liver size, texture, and surrounding organs)
- X-rays (to look for liver enlargement or masses)
- Liver biopsy or aspirate (to determine specific disease type)
- Bile acid stimulation test (to assess liver function)
💊 Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the disease. Early or reversible conditions may respond well to supportive care.
Supportive treatments may include:
- IV fluids or subcutaneous fluids
- Nutritional support (e.g. high-protein or liver-specific diets)
- Feeding tubes (for cats who refuse to eat)
- Antibiotics (if infection is suspected)
- Liver protectants (SAMe, milk thistle/silymarin, vitamin E)
- Appetite stimulants
- Anti-nausea medications
- Steroids or immunosuppressants (in some inflammatory liver conditions)
- Surgery (if a tumor or shunt is found)
In the case of hepatic lipidosis, early, aggressive nutritional support is critical and often life-saving.
🩺 Prognosis
Prognosis depends on the cause, severity, and how quickly treatment is started:
- Hepatic lipidosis has a good prognosis with early treatment
- Cholangitis and IBD-linked liver issues may be manageable long-term
- Cancer or congenital liver shunts may have a more guarded outlook
- Toxin-related liver failure is often fatal without immediate intervention
Regular monitoring and follow-up bloodwork are often necessary even after recovery.
💡 Cat Owner Note
The liver can recover from a lot, but it needs help fast. If your cat skips meals, loses weight, or starts looking a little yellow around the ears or eyes, don’t wait. Cats decline quickly when the liver is involved, but early care can make all the difference.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Liver Disease in Cats
Is liver disease common in cats?
It’s not rare, especially in older or overweight cats. Hepatic lipidosis is one of the most common feline liver issues.
Can liver disease be reversed?
Sometimes. If caught early, conditions like fatty liver or inflammation can be reversed. Chronic disease may be managed, but not cured.
What does jaundice look like in cats?
Yellowing of the gums, ears, eyes, or even skin. It usually means bilirubin is building up due to liver dysfunction.
Why is my cat drooling?
Excess drooling can be a sign of nausea, which is common in liver disease.
How long can a cat live with liver disease?
It depends on the cause. With treatment, some cats live for months to years. Without care, liver failure can progress rapidly.
What should I feed a cat with liver disease?
Your vet may recommend a high-quality, easily digestible diet or prescription food designed for liver support. In many cases, getting calories in is the top priority.