I'm really scared something is wrong with my cat, and I need some advice. She's my first-ever cat, and I've had her since she was practically a newborn.
She's a 2-year-old female, not spayed, and 100% indoors. She looks almost exactly like a Russian Blue, but I don't know her actual breed.
I found her under my car in a parking lot on September 20th, two years ago. She was a tiny kitten, and I believe her mother abandoned her. I've raised her ever since. She's never been outside since I found her, and she's terrified of going outdoors.
Over the past several months, and especially recently, I've noticed some changes that really worry me.
Her fur is changing color and texture.
Over approximately the past six months, her normally gray fur has started turning brown, particularly around her belly and body. Her belly is also developing white fur. Her fur still feels soft, but it looks spiky, uneven, and separated into little tufts.
She's suddenly pooping outside her litter box.
For approximately the past two weeks, she'll sometimes poop under my bed, under the sofa, or somewhere outside her litter box. But then she'll go right back to using the litter box normally. It's inconsistent.
She still urinates inside the litter box and hasn't been peeing outside it.
She's excessively grooming and chewing her toenails.
She frequently gnaws on the nails of her back paws, sometimes until they crack. She also licks and grooms her legs excessively. She has started licking me a lot, too.
Her entire personality has changed.
This is probably what scares me the most.
She used to be extremely affectionate. She would cuddle with me constantly, sleep close to me, and loved being picked up and carried.
Now she acts like a completely different cat.
She doesn't want me touching her. Sometimes she runs away from me, hides under the bed, and stays there for hours.
She used to sleep right beside me, but now she sleeps at the opposite end of the bed, as far away from me as possible.
I've had her for her entire life, and she's NEVER acted like this before.
She's sleeping in strange positions and seems uncomfortable.
Lately, she'll curl herself into a very tight ball, almost like a fetal position, with her tail tucked in front of her body.
Sometimes she rests her head very low, with her ears folded forward against where she's lying.
I don't know whether she's simply comfortable or if she's curling up because something hurts. I've attached pictures showing how she's been lying.
Her appetite, drinking, and energy have decreased.
She still eats and drinks, but noticeably less than before.
She used to get excited about food and eat enthusiastically. Now she'll eat a little dry food, a little wet food, drink some water, and then go lie down.
She doesn't seem interested in playing or doing much of anything anymore.
I don't want to call her lazy because this isn't normal for her. She used to be much more active and affectionate.
She hasn't been spayed, and her heat cycles seem irregular.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to afford to get her spayed because of financial difficulties.
As far as I've noticed, she's only gone into heat about three times during the past two years, with long periods between cycles.
I don't know whether this is normal or could be connected to what's happening.
I'm really worried.
She's my first cat, and I'm still learning what is normal and what isn't.
I know cats can hide pain and illness, and I'm scared that she's been trying to tell me something is wrong and I haven't understood.
I love her so much. I've raised her since she was a tiny kitten, and seeing her suddenly become distant, withdrawn, and uninterested in things she used to love is heartbreaking.
Money is very tight, but I want to do what's best for her.
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms with their cat? Could these changes indicate pain, illness, a hormonal issue, or something else?
I understand that Reddit can't diagnose her and that she needs a veterinarian. I'd especially appreciate advice on what symptoms are most concerning, what I should ask a vet to check, and how to find affordable veterinary care.
Please don't judge me for not taking her to the vet yet. I'm struggling terribly financially, and vet prices in my small Arkansas town are more than I can afford right now. I'm trying my hardest. Some have suggested rehoming her, but I've raised her since birth, and she's my whole world. I know love isn't a substitute for medical care. I'm just asking for kindness, understanding, and advice, not judgment.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this. I'm genuinely worried about my little girl.