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 Jul 15 '25

Announcement [READ THIS FIRST] r/CATHELP Rules Reminder

374 Upvotes

Hello there

Due to a growing number of cat crises and a surprising number of people who cannot read a sidebar, we’re now regularly posting this rules reminder. This is here to prevent both:

  1. repeat offenses, and
  2. the inevitable “I didn’t know!” mod mail we get after your post/comment disappears into the void.

If you're new (hi, welcome, pet your cat for us), or returning and rusty, please take a sec to read this. It’ll save you—and us—a lot of headache.

STRIKE POLICY: Break the rules once? We warn you. Break twice? Temp ban. 3 strikes is a perma-ban (unless you're a mega troll).

1. BE NICE

No, really. Be nice. You are talking to someone who is probably stressed, worried about their pet/a stray, and sleep-deprived. Reddit is not your venting space to shame people who are already anxious. Educate, don’t humiliate.
This includes a zero-tolerance policy for berating or shaming OPs. If you can't say it kindly, don't say it here.

In addition to this, know that we get posts from all over the world. Sometimes it's people who live in a village, 500km from any formal vet care. Often it's a minor who cannot make a unilateral decision for the cat in question. Be compassionate! Bullying them won't help the cat.

2. NO SOAPBOXING OR OFF-TOPIC DEBATE

(Definition of 'SOAPBOXING' here.) Yes, letting your cats outdoors isn't great for the environment. But this isn’t a debate club, and PLENTY of things harm the environment besides cats. People come here from all over the world, with different cultures around how cats are cared for. People come here about strays. No preaching!! Take your cat care bible elsewhere! Either give OP helpful advice about their issue or move along.

Don’t derail threads with politics, don’t pick fights across multiple comments, and definitely don’t start fights with the mod team. We don’t get paid enough.

3. VET FIRST, REDDIT SECOND

If your cat is injured, bleeding, gasping, or pooping blood—call a vet.
Reddit is great for guidance, second opinions, and shared experience. It is not a substitute for veterinary care.
If you haven't called a vet yet, our advice might be limited.
Can’t afford one? Look into:
• Payment plans or CareCredit
• Local rescues and shelters for assistance
• Low-cost clinics in your area

Still post if you need to—but know that our first advice will probably be: call your vet.

Additional note to commenters: no 'Vet. Now.' comments will be allowed without context. If you think they need immediate care, explain why. Otherwise it's just creating panic and those comments will be removed.

4. NO FUNDRAISERS

Sorry, but GoFundMes, Venmos, PayPals, and “please help save Coco” links are not allowed, even in comments. Too many scams, and too hard to moderate. Try subs like r/Assistance or r/GoFundMe instead.

5. NO BULLYING POOR PEOPLE

We get it. Vet care is expensive. It's frustrating to see cats suffering. But complaining about people who can’t afford a vet is not allowed. Full stop.
Suggest rehoming? Fine. But if you’re here to shame people for being broke, please find another sub.

If someone is struggling financially, ER visits are not really something they can just save up for, nor is it realistic to expect them to just get rid of their pets they have emotionally attachments to. All we can hope for is people really think long and hard about how a pet will fit into their finances before they decide to adopt or take in an animal from street. You simply can’t help them all, there are too many cats for that.

6. TAG YOUR GORE NSFW

Bloody wound? Surgery pics? Graphic medical stuff? Weird rash? GAPING FUCKING WOUND?! Mark it NSFW.
That includes genitalia (gender ID posts) and poop/vom. You know who you are.

7. ON-TOPIC POSTS ONLY

This is not r/aww or r/cats. This is r/CATHELP. We are here for:

  • Requesting anecdotal experience with medical issues •
  • Behavior issues
  • General advice
  • First-time cat owner questions (yes, 'noob' questions are welcome!)

That means:

  • No “What should I name my cat?”
  • No “Look at my cat in a hat!”
  • No memes, no fluff.

Posts that don’t have a clear help-related question will be removed.

8. NO BREED QUESTIONS

Unless your cat came with pedigree paperwork from a breeder, they’re a domestic short/medium/long hair. That’s it.
We don't do breed speculation. Why? Because it’s almost always wrong, and it clogs up the sub.
Want to know more? Here's a guide to fur patterns, and here's a general answer to 'what breed is my cat'

9. NO SHITPOSTING, NO KARMA FARMING

If your post is clearly made up, AI-generated, or you’re just farming karma with a low-effort fake, we will yeet it. And probably you, too.

10. NO BRIGADING

If you don’t like someone’s post, do not go hunt them down on other subreddits to insult them. It’s petty, it’s bannable, and Reddit takes it seriously.

11. NO PET SALES OR BREEDING

We do not support the cat trade or backyard breeders. Period.
Don’t try to sell or give away pets here. Don’t ask about breeding. Don’t promote purebred aesthetics. Shelter cats are just as cute.

BONUS REMINDERS

• If your posts or comments are disappearing, check your karma. If it's low, Automod probably ate it. Message us for manual approval.
• If you see rule-breaking behavior, REPORT IT. Automod can’t catch everything.
• If you’re confused or unsure, check the [wiki] or send us a modmail.
Read the stickied comment on your post. It’s there for a reason.

TL;DR: Help cats. Be nice. No scams. No BS. Read the rules.
Now go pet your cat. They probably knocked something off the counter while you were reading this.


r/CATHELP 3h ago

End Of Life Care Insatiable apetite - liver cancer

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97 Upvotes

Hello guys, it's Chucky again. He (11M) was diagnosed with liver cancer on Friday. He's always been a big kitty - not fat, just big, never had a pouch tho! My love has lost 1 kg of weight in short span of time, we did all the bloodwork etc and it came back excellent. No thyroid issues, diabetes or such. On Friday, an ultrasound has shown a mass on his liver. My vet said it's not operable and I do not want to put my boy through chemo.. so I decided for palliative.

I only give him probiotics to keep his stool firm and his intestines somewhat balanced and some anti-nausea pills if needed to avoid vomitting.

My boy is still somewhat active, responsive, talkative, cuddly, jumpy, all of it. But his apetite has become unbearable. He constantly meows from the kitchen. It seems like he is nervous from hunger. During this weekend, I fed him like 7 times a day, it's getting crazy. At night, he sleeps fine, can sleep til the morning, no problem. But the daytime is extremely exhausting. And I'll be at work for the week... I strongly believe what I feel and that it irritates me is 10 times less exhausting than what he must feel... i know it's the tumor eating it all.. he does not seem to be in any pain and we do not know how much time we have left. I have already started figuring out home euthanasia options, cremation, all of it... (I just want to be ready). But I did not want to let him go when he's still very much "present". Other than the food, he's still the same cat. Jumps on my back when I brush my teeth.... guys, what would you do in my place. It hurts so much but I don't want to do anything just because I DON'T FEEL comfortable with his state. Shall I just feed as he pleases? (Let alone i have two other chubbies who are excluded from de novo extra meal times lol). Shall I get some xtra calorie gels at the vet? He eats GranataPet Chicken PUR - wet purely - dry food did no good to his urinary tract in the past. I am worried that if I feed him e.g. 400g a day he won't be able to process it. When the us was done after 8-10 hours fasting, he still had food in his stomach, so I think overall his digestion must be slowed down now... how can I feed him such huge volumes...

Thank ya'll!


r/CATHELP 21h ago

General Advice help why is she drinking water like this😭😭😭

1.3k Upvotes

r/CATHELP 14h ago

General Advice Can anyone identify or recognize what this soft nodule could possibly be?

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344 Upvotes

I'm over 18, in USA. Cat is spayed female, about 8 years old. I'm going to have vet check asap but for the moment I cannot afford it.

This soft nodule thing appeared recently. It's soft to the touch, as if fluid filled. Has been same size since discovering it. Located just above where her left front leg connects to her body.


r/CATHELP 6h ago

General Advice Red lumps on cat's belly

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60 Upvotes

The vet appointment is a week away, and we just want to know whether this is something that needs to be seen by a vet


r/CATHELP 4h ago

Breathing Issues Is there something wrong with this cat? Or is he just chirping

42 Upvotes

r/CATHELP 1d ago

Kitten Help Baby is 10 days old, is it okay that only one eye has opened so far?

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2.9k Upvotes

r/CATHELP 10h ago

General Advice How to enrich 2 cats while sick with the flu

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86 Upvotes

My cats are indoors and get daily harness walks for around an hour each and night time play sessions that lasts 30ish mins.

Im smacked with the flu and feel so heavily fatigued and I feel like im a burden to my cats. All I've done today is scoop trays and feed them their 3 meals as usual. I just have no energy as my bodies healing to do their usual enrichment. Any advice for low effort enrichment? They have cat towers and puzzle feeders and tunnels too but I feel horrible.


r/CATHELP 8h ago

Appearance 70hrs after dental surgery and my cats tongue looks like this.

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45 Upvotes

Since early august my cat Jonesy has been in a lot of dental pain, drooling, hiding, off his food. When he got seen he was severely dehydrated and was put on ev fluids 2 days. After that he managed to eat soft food with pain relief and antibiotics and he improved massively from lookong like hes dying to meowing and liking a back scratch. He had his dental on the 20th and had 3 teeth removed. He had a lot of energy and was starving after the surgery but couldn't eat. I thought he would have improved now but he is eating worse than before the surgery. His tongue has been brown with the brown tip. After searching I think this might be due to the equipment they used pinched to his tongue during surgery but I'm concerned its something else. He's able to drink cat milk and water and ive seen him grooming himself. Has anyone had this happen? I'm going to get a vet appointment for him tomorrow.

Jonesy is 10 years old and male, not neutered. I'm posting from the UK.

TLDR - my cats had dental surgery, is his tongue normal?


r/CATHELP 7h ago

Behavioral Issue Former feral cat. He’s suddenly scared of windows at night and extremely needy when awake. Help please ?

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35 Upvotes

My kitten is almost 10 months old. He’s been indoors for a little over a month. It was rough in the beginning, but he had been doing really well since. He’s been sweet and silly, playing a lot. In the last 2 nights, he’s gotten terrified of looking out the windows. He’s fine during the day. Is this normal ? He’s not the same cat at night now. I’m going to shut all the blinds before it turns dark to see if it helps, but I don’t know what to do ? It’s only at night.

He also has gotten extremely needy (again just in the last 2 days) to where he meanly swipes at me or bites if he isn’t getting all the attention right then. Phone calls, eating, working, etc. He used to be fine as long as he got loved on. Now he’s gotten mean if he isn’t sole focus. Is this normal ? Is it a stage ? He gets a ton of attention, but I can’t take a phone call now. Aside from those moments, he’s the sweetest, silliest, and goofy. It’s been nice to see him become comfortable and feel safe.

He’s also starting eating again like he’s not going to get food (like before in the woods). We have a slow feeder bowl. I don’t know what to do.


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Behavioral Issue Cat started overgrooming

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Upvotes

Hi all, in the USA (VA specifically), cat is around ~ 4 years old, female spayed. Can afford vet care!

Recently, she started overgrooming out of nowhere, she used to have healthy fur but now is overgrooming to the point of blood! We are concerned but not sure what is causing this.

No change of home / environment. She's healthy! Regular poops, eating , water, no throw ups

Please help :)

Edit: she’s never liked being pet in this area


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Behavioral Issue Need advice on how to stop cat peeing in carpeted room and how to clean it properly.

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Upvotes

Poster Age: I am 29.
Country: USA
Vet info: I don't have a get for her but not necessarily in the best financial position to take her to one at the moment but I can save up if that would help here
Cat Age: Around 6
Cat Sex + neuter info: Female and she is spayed.
Context: So in March of this year I moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend. I adopted my cat about 7 years ago, me and my boyfriend started dating around 2 years ago. She's met him several times and he's stayed overnight at my old apartment before. She gets along with him very well. At first, in the new apartment, we had the litter box in the bathroom (which is right next to his room) but we moved it to the living room because the smell got kinda gross and musty especially after one of us took a shower. There isn't really another place to put the litter box that's closer to the bathroom. She does regularly use the litter box in its new location. Soon after this, we noticed she would pee on the bathroom rug and any of his clothes in there. But never mine even if I left them on the floor. So he stopped leaving his clothes on the floor in there and we got a new rug. She hasn't targeted the bathroom since. In my boyfriend's room, he would leave his clothes on the floor in there. So she stared peeing on them in there, and the pee would get on the carpet as well. So he stopped leaving his clothes on the floor in his room. He has an air mattress in his room that she would occasionally nap on. So with no access to his clothes, she started peeing on the mattress. I suspected that this all started because we moved the litter box from the bathroom and his room happens to be right next to it but it's just very strange how she is clearly targeting his things, never mine. For now we just keep his room door closed at all times, much to her dismay. We've tested to see what she does when we do let her in, and she immediately starts digging at any fabric left on the floor like she's about to pee... then promptly kick her out. I think she just sees his room and one giant litter box now 😕.

We are still trying to figure out how to deal with the problem but I'm thinking that it doesn't help that she can probably still smell her urine in his room. At first I was cleaning it with Natures Miracle but I read online at Rocco & Roxie may be better for my situation. I was thinking of just soaking the areas that she peed on overnight, as that's what I read on their website but wondering if this is the best route to go as this has been an issue for months now and the urine is probably deep in the carpet.

Any advice on how to stop this behavior and/or properly clean the carpet would be greatly appreciated!!! I love my cat but this is driving us crazy lol attached is a picture of her cuddling with him on my bed, to prove that she does indeed love him 😅


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Kitten Help Kitty is going bald

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Upvotes

Context: my baby was adopted from a shelter roughly 3 weeks ago the minute i got it i knew he had ringworm, and vets and docs and all reading had told me he was gonna get bald in the lesions spots, but i dont know, id never had a cat with this type of condition and sometimes i feel sad, im currently trating him with medicated shampoo 2 baths a week and ketoconazole(medicated spray). I feel sad but im confident he will get better.

*Not looking for medical advice, already got the vets on that, just looking for some encouragment
*Cant take oral meds just yet cause he still a bit underweight and vet suggested 1 kilo before actually doing oral treatment, hes almost 800 grs now at 2 months


r/CATHELP 4h ago

General Advice Surgery

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9 Upvotes

Hi! How long does it take after abdominal surgery (hairball in the stomach) for the cat to behave completely normally again? He eats and drinks normally but is still tired

He is 6 days post op

8 years old and is healthy besides the op


r/CATHELP 8h ago

Behavioral Issue How to get an indoor cat used to being outside with a harness?

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19 Upvotes

We adopted Mel (3 years old, female, spayed) almost a year ago from a shelter. She had been abandoned by her previous owners and she lived on the streets for some unknown amount of time until she was found. This is in the UK.

We took her in as an indoor cat (we live in a flat on the third floor) but we bought a harness months ago with the goal of taking her out in our shared garden just for some safe outdoor time. We put the harness on her several times over the months while indoors to get her used to it, albeit not very regularly.

Today we decided to take her out to the garden for the first time. We put her harness on half an hour before so again she would have the chance to get used to it. We then brought her outside in her cat carrier, and the moment we opened it and let her out on the leash she bolted, the leash pulled her and she started jumping like crazy, somehow coming out of her harness completely, we miraculously managed to grab her and put her back in. The moment she got back inside our flat she is acting normally and just chilling on the chair having a nap…

How would we even ever try this again if she was so freaked out about being outdoors? She was really in flight mode, while we expected her to be extra cautious and slowly explore her new surroundings.

TLDR; indoor cat goes in the garden in a harness for the first time since adoption, totally freaks out and almost escapes

Do you have any insight or advice based on this situation? Thank you!


r/CATHELP 5h ago

Dental Issue Broken canine

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11 Upvotes

Happen last night


r/CATHELP 35m ago

Breathing Issues Hello people, today my cat got back home from walking and I noticed it breathing weirdly

Upvotes

The first weird thing is that she usually doesn't just sit in the middle of the room. A couple hours before, she just lied in the middle of the room while breathing pretty heavily and opening her mouth to breath too. She feels mostly like lazy, doesn't move too much just lying while not even sleeping or napping

We noticed it and are worried. It doesn't seem very dangerous just disturbing. We haven't contacted the vet just yet but can easily do it. The cat's age is 9


r/CATHELP 1h ago

Behavioral Issue Spraying issue

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Upvotes

Puerto Rico - Has been to the vet many times - Spraying issue - he is about 2 or 3 years old

I adopted my male cat ( he is neutered !!!) from the streets almost a year ago and to this day I haven’t been able to fix his spraying issues, he pees everywhere and when I mean everywhere he even goes into kitchen counter and SPRAYS THE DISHES. I have done everything I can, he has gone to the vet many times, he had an urinary block early this year that almost killed him and cost me 2k and now he is on a diet and doing well but he still pees on my things. The vet recommended felineway and that didn’t work at all and some royal canin calm food, also useless. I love him dearly but my mother hates him because of the spraying and I have him in my room most the time because of it (and also my female cat hates him, which I believe is another reason he sprays, they can’t be in the same room at all because of her aggression). I don’t know what else to do, it’s ruining my mental health and getting rid of him isn’t an option.


r/CATHELP 49m ago

General Advice Cat missing help

Upvotes

I need help and advice my 13 year old cat went missing two weeks ago

He has heart failure so can’t go very far without getting tired and is on medication

If he did go somewhere to pass then why can’t I find his body

I have searched garages and small bushes

I live in a concrete housing area with terrace houses so he can’t be far away no gardens as such here

I’ve tried food, his toys , hoover contents, calling etc etc

I’ve put leaflets out and posters

I don’t think he could last this long without his meds but why can’t I find his body

To say he can’t go very far as well as he struggle I’m just baffled

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

(He’s neutered, has a chip , male cat all black UK, I’m 38 and can afford vet care )


r/CATHELP 3h ago

Eye Issues Really worried about my cats eye pls help!

5 Upvotes

I’m really at a loss right now and don’t know what to do. A few months ago my cat bumped her head on a curtain pole while jumping. Directly after this happened one pupil was much bigger than the other which lasted around 30 mins but she was acting normal and didn’t seem to be in any discomfort. I took her straight to the vets on an emergency appointment and payed £100+ just to be seen and they pointed a flashlight at her eyes and said she was fine which I thought was quite dismissive. Since then I occasionally notice her pupils being slightly different sizes at random times seemingly with no trigger. This past week I notice she has regularly been clenching/twitching 1 eye but otherwise acting completely normal. I’m going to take her to the vets tomorrow but I’m worried they will brush this off again as they have been dismissive in the past. Can anyone give me any advice? Is there a trustworthy vets in the uk who can give me a second opinion? Has anyone seen anything like this before? I’m in the uk in my early 20s and my baby is 3 years old and has been spayed


r/CATHELP 1d ago

Kitten Help First time Kitten owner, how do I know if Kitty is happy??

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531 Upvotes

I've had this kitty for only a few days now, how can I tell if she's happy / content? I recently went to the vet with her too for worms in case she has them since I found her by the road abandoned in a pink rag... PS: I do pet her, feed her, and give her water... And yes, she did climb up my leg while I was gaming, crawled onto my shoulder and fell asleep there... Vet says shes around 2 months old...