Cat has pale gums but acting normal – what to do next

Pale gums can be caused by many different health problems. We would recommend calling the vet for advice even if your cat is acting normal. Signs of pain may not always be evident as cats are good at hiding discomfort. The following reasons may explain why the cat is acting normal despite having pale gums.

Blood issues

Pale gums could be a sign of a blood-related problems like anemia. The gums are becoming pale because the cat is losing blood through causes like physical trauma and parasitic infections. Cats affected by anemia may eventually show other concerning behaviors like lethargy. It would be worth taking a close look at the cat’s stool to see if it’s any different (e.g. stool mixed with blood and mucus).

Other illnesses and diseases

The pale gums could also be a result of diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV). It’s a relatively common disease that can result in blood disorders and pale gums. Cats with this disease tend to act normal in the early stages of infection. It may take weeks or even months before the cat starts to show signs of deterioration.

Early treatment is important. A blood test might be taken when the cat is at the clinic to verify the state of the cat’s blood cells. In a normal and healthy cat, 25% to 45% of the blood will consist of red blood cells. The cat would be considered anemic if the percentage drops below 25%. While it may not help immediately, it might be useful to feed your cat some iron supplement if they are the borderline of being anemic. Do check with the vet though before you purchase these supplements.