Jaundice in Cats: Yellow Gums, Causes, Treatment, and When to See a Vet (2026)
- CUREFIP.COM
- Dec 10, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: May 15
Quick answer: Jaundice in cats is a yellow discoloration of the gums, eyes, ears, or skin caused by bilirubin buildup. It is not a disease in itself but a warning sign that the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cells are under stress. The seven main causes are hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), cholangitis, bile duct obstruction, toxin exposure, hemolytic anemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), and liver cancer. Jaundice in cats is always urgent — see a veterinarian within 24 hour
If you have noticed yellow gums, yellow eyes, or yellowing of your cat's skin, you are looking at a sign that something serious is happening internally. This guide explains exactly what jaundice means, the most common causes in cats, how vets diagnose it, what treatment looks like for each cause, and what you can do at home to support recovery once a vet has made a diagnosis.
What Is Jaundice in Cats?
Jaundice (also called icterus) is the visible yellow tint that appears when bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down, accumulates in the body. A healthy liver filters bilirubin and excretes it into bile, which leaves the body through stool. Jaundice appears when:
The liver is inflamed or damaged and cannot process bilirubin (hepatic jaundice)
Bile cannot flow normally out of the liver (post-hepatic jaundice)
Too many red blood cells are being destroyed for the liver to keep up (pre-hepatic jaundice)
In cats, the yellow tint usually appears in this order: whites of the eyes first, then the gums, then the inner ears and skin.
How to Check for Jaundice in Cats
Examine your cat in good natural light:
Lift the lip and look at the gums. Healthy gums are pink. Yellow gums (even pale yellow) indicate jaundice.
Check the whites of the eyes (the sclera). Any yellow tint is significant.
Look inside the ears — the skin should be pink, not yellow.
Check the underside of the paws and the skin under the fur on the belly.
If you see yellow in any of these areas, contact a veterinarian within 24 hours. Even mild yellowing means bilirubin levels are already significantly elevated.
The 7 Most Common Causes of Jaundice in Cats
1. Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
The most common cause of jaundice in adult cats. Hepatic lipidosis develops when a cat stops eating for more than 2–3 days. The body mobilises fat reserves faster than the liver can process them, fat infiltrates liver cells, and liver function collapses. Trigger events include sudden diet changes, stress, dental disease, or any condition that makes a cat refuse food.
Signs: sudden weight loss, refusal to eat, vomiting, lethargy, jaundice.
Recovery rate: above 80% with prompt feeding tube placement and supportive care.
2. Cholangitis and Cholangiohepatitis
Inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis) or the bile ducts and surrounding liver tissue (cholangiohepatitis). Common in cats and often linked to bacterial infection ascending from the intestines.
Signs: intermittent fever, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, abdominal discomfort.
Treatment: antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, supportive liver care.
3. Bile Duct Obstruction
Physical blockage of the bile ducts by gallstones, pancreatic inflammation pressing on the duct, or rarely tumours.
Signs: vomiting, jaundice, pale or grey stool, abdominal pain.
Treatment: surgical intervention may be needed; supportive care with diet and liver support.
4. Toxin Exposure
Cats are exquisitely sensitive to many household toxins that damage the liver:
Paracetamol (acetaminophen / Tylenol) — extremely toxic, often fatal
Lily plants (Easter, Tiger, Asiatic, Stargazer) — cause acute kidney injury that can secondarily affect liver
Xylitol (sugar substitute)
Certain essential oils (tea tree, pine, citrus)
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
Old or contaminated food producing aflatoxins
If toxin exposure is suspected, treat as an emergency — call a vet immediately.
5. Hemolytic Anemia
Destruction of red blood cells faster than the body can replace them. Causes include:
Mycoplasma haemofelis (feline infectious anemia)
Onion or garlic ingestion
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
Severe heartworm or other parasitic disease
Signs: pale gums (sometimes pale yellow), weakness, rapid breathing, jaundice, dark urine.
6. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) commonly causes jaundice when inflammatory granulomas form in the liver and disrupt bile processing. Jaundice combined with persistent fever, gradual weight loss, and lethargy in a cat under two years old is a high-suspicion FIP presentation.
Signs: fever that does not respond to antibiotics, weight loss despite eating, reduced appetite, lethargy, jaundice, sometimes a swollen belly or eye changes.
Treatment: the 84-day dual-antiviral protocol with GS-441524 and EIDD-1931. The Li and Cheah (2025) field study of 46 cats reported a 78.3% remission rate with a 6.5% relapse rate. Since 2019, CureFIP has supported the treatment of more than 100,000 cats globally with FIP.
If your cat's jaundice fits this pattern, read the 12 early warning signs of FIP and ask your vet specifically about FIP testing.
7. Liver Cancer (Hepatic Neoplasia)
Less common but more frequent in cats over 10 years old. Includes lymphoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and bile duct carcinoma.
Signs: gradual weight loss, jaundice, palpable liver enlargement, sometimes a mass detected on ultrasound.
Treatment: depends on tumour type — may include chemotherapy, surgery, or palliative care.
How Vets Diagnose Jaundice in Cats
A vet will work through a structured diagnostic process to identify the underlying cause:
Physical examination — check gum colour, hydration, abdominal palpation, temperature
Complete Blood Count (CBC) — looks for anemia, inflammation, and white blood cell changes
Biochemistry panel — measures bilirubin (total and direct), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT), albumin, globulin, and the A:G ratio (low A:G is a strong FIP indicator)
Bile acid test — assesses liver function
Urinalysis — bilirubin in urine appears before visible jaundice
Abdominal ultrasound — visualises the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas
FCoV PCR or Rivalta test — if FIP is suspected
Fine-needle aspirate or biopsy — when the cause remains unclear
In many cases the cause is identified from the CBC and biochemistry results alone. Imaging and biopsy are used when results are ambiguous.
Treatment of Jaundice in Cats
Treatment is cause-specific — there is no single "jaundice treatment". The goal is to address the underlying problem and support the liver while it recovers.
Hepatic Lipidosis Treatment
Feeding tube placement (esophagostomy tube) for assisted feeding
High-protein recovery diet
B vitamins and L-carnitine supplementation
Anti-nausea medication
Fluids if dehydrated
Cholangitis Treatment
Antibiotics (typically 4–6 weeks)
Anti-inflammatory medication
Ursodeoxycholic acid to support bile flow
Liver-supportive supplements
Bile Duct Obstruction Treatment
Surgery if structurally obstructed
Treatment of the underlying cause (e.g. pancreatitis)
Supportive fluids and pain management
Toxin Exposure Treatment
Decontamination (induced vomiting or activated charcoal, only under vet direction)
N-acetylcysteine for paracetamol toxicity
IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, supportive care
Liver-protective supplements during recovery
Hemolytic Anemia Treatment
Address underlying cause (antibiotics for Mycoplasma, immunosuppressants for IMHA)
Blood transfusion in severe cases
Iron and B12 supplementation
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Treatment
84-day antiviral protocol: GS-441524 combined with EIDD-1931
Higher doses for neurological or ocular cases
Liver-supportive care alongside antiviral therapy
Liver Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy for lymphoma
Surgical resection for some hepatocellular tumours
Palliative care to maintain quality of life
Supportive Care During Jaundice Recovery
Regardless of cause, three things support recovery once a vet has made a diagnosis:
1. Hydration
Subcutaneous or oral fluids keep the liver flushed and help bilirubin clearance. Multiple fresh water bowls, a pet water fountain, and wet food increase intake.
2. Nutrition
A cat with jaundice often will not eat voluntarily. Hand-feeding warm wet food, lickable treats, and prescription recovery diets all help. Never force-feed — if a cat refuses food for more than 24 hours, a feeding tube may be needed.
3. Liver-Supportive Supplements
Liver-supportive supplements help the liver detoxify and regenerate during recovery. LiverRx by RX Sciences is formulated with silymarin (milk thistle), SAMe, vitamin E, and B-complex — the evidence-based combination veterinarians use to support liver function in cats with hepatic lipidosis, cholangitis, toxin recovery, and FIP-related liver inflammation. LiverRx is widely used alongside FIP antiviral therapy and during recovery from any cause of jaundice. Always check with your veterinarian before starting any supplement.
When to See a Vet — Red Flag Checklist
Take your cat to a vet today if you see any of the following:
Yellow gums, yellow eyes, or yellow inner ears
Yellowing combined with refusal to eat for 24 hours or more
Yellowing combined with vomiting
Yellowing combined with persistent fever
Yellowing combined with weight loss
Yellowing combined with swollen abdomen
Yellowing combined with dark urine or pale stool
Yellowing in a kitten or cat under two years (high FIP suspicion)
Suspected toxin exposure
Do not wait. By the time jaundice is visible, the underlying disease is advanced enough that hours matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does jaundice look like in cats?
Jaundice appears as a yellow tint in the gums, whites of the eyes, inner ears, and sometimes the skin. The easiest place to check is the gums — lift the lip and look in good natural light. Even faint yellow is significant.
What causes jaundice in cats?
Seven main causes: hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), cholangitis, bile duct obstruction, toxin exposure, hemolytic anemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), and liver cancer. Hepatic lipidosis is the most common cause in adult cats.
Is jaundice in cats an emergency?
Yes. Jaundice in cats always requires urgent veterinary evaluation within 24 hours. By the time yellowing is visible, bilirubin is already significantly elevated.
Can a cat recover from jaundice?
Yes, many cats recover when the underlying cause is identified and treated early. Hepatic lipidosis has above 80% recovery with prompt feeding tube placement. FIP-related jaundice is treatable with the 84-day antiviral protocol with around 78% remission. Early action is the key factor.
Can Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) cause jaundice in cats?
Yes. FIP commonly causes jaundice when inflammatory granulomas form in the liver. Jaundice combined with fever, weight loss, and lethargy in a young cat is a high-suspicion FIP presentation.
What does jaundice treatment cost for cats?
Cost depends on the cause. Hepatic lipidosis typically costs $1,500–$5,000. Cholangitis $300–$800. FIP antiviral treatment varies by region. Supportive care with liver supplements like LiverRx is low cost. Early diagnosis usually reduces total cost.
Can I treat jaundice in cats at home?
No. Jaundice requires veterinary diagnosis first. Once treatment is prescribed, home supportive care including assisted feeding, hydration, and liver supplements like LiverRx by RX Sciences can help recovery. Never give human medications.
What are yellow gums in cats a sign of?
Yellow gums are the most common visible sign of jaundice (icterus), indicating bilirubin buildup from liver disease, red blood cell breakdown, or bile duct obstruction. Yellow gums with reduced appetite, weight loss, or lethargy require veterinary evaluation within 24 hours.
Conclusion
Jaundice in cats is a warning sign, not a diagnosis. Yellow gums or yellow eyes mean something inside your cat — the liver, the bile ducts, or the red blood cells — is in trouble. The first step is always a veterinary visit within 24 hours to identify the underlying cause. From there, treatment is targeted: feeding support for hepatic lipidosis, antibiotics for cholangitis, antiviral therapy for FIP, supportive care across the board.
If your cat has jaundice with fever, weight loss, and lethargy and is under two years old, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) should be on the differential diagnosis list. Read the 12 early warning signs of FIP and ask your vet specifically about FIP testing. FIP is no longer a fatal diagnosis — the dual-antiviral protocol of GS-441524 and EIDD-1931 now achieves remission in around 78% of cases when treatment starts early.
During recovery from jaundice of any cause, liver-supportive care matters. LiverRx by RX Sciences is widely used alongside antiviral therapy and during hepatic lipidosis recovery to support liver detoxification and regeneration.
👉 If FIP is suspected: Use the dosage calculator → | See the 84-day treatment kit →
👉 Supporting liver recovery: Explore LiverRx by RX Sciences →
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