Pancreatitis in cats – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

The pancreas is an organ in the belly involved in digestion and controlling blood sugars, and pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas.^[1] In very serious cases, pancreatitis can be life-threatening because it can affect other organs and blood pressure.^[1]

Signs

Eating less or refusing to eat at all
Vomiting
Lethargy or tiredness
Diarrhoea
Interacting less with your family
Sleeping more
Resting and sleeping in different places than normal
Grooming less

Causes and risk factors

Being overweight
Being unwell
Recently having surgery
Recently eating high-fat foods, such as pork, cheese or butter

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Blood tests
Ultrasound
Biopsy

How vets treat it

Treating the signs of pancreatitis
Treating the underlying cause if known
Fluids or a drip
Hospitalisation for a severe case
Diet change
Medication
Pain relief
Anti-sickness medication

What the experts say

“Eating less or refusing to eat at all ; Vomiting ; Lethargy/tiredness ; Diarrhoea ; Interacting less with your family ; Sleeping more ; Resting and sleeping in different places than normal ; Grooming less”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What is pancreatitis in cats?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in the belly involved in digestion and controlling blood sugars.^[1]

How will a vet find out if my cat has pancreatitis?

A vet may use the signs you describe, a physical examination, blood tests and further tests such as an ultrasound scan.^[1]

How do vets treat pancreatitis in cats?

There is no specific treatment for pancreatitis. A vet may treat the signs and the underlying cause if known; a cat with a severe case may need hospitalisation and a drip.^[1]

Sources

International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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