Skip to main content

Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Anemia in cats has many causes

After their veterinarian diagnosed anemia in their cat, concerned pet parents turned to Dr. Lee for more information on potential causes.

Anemia in cats has many causes

Q: My veterinarian diagnosed my cat, Kiki, with anemia, and he is doing more tests. What is anemia and what causes it?

A: Anemia isn’t a disease itself but a characteristic of many disorders. Anemia is defined as an abnormally low number of red blood cells, the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.

Editor’s Note: Pale gums, lack of appetite and weakness/listlessness may be signs of anemia. Read more about the signs and symptoms of anemia in cats.

Anemia develops in one of three general ways:

  • Decreased production of red blood cells by the bone marrow, due to, for example, the feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, chronic kidney disease or ingestion of estrogen in some human skin creams;

  • Loss of blood, such as from injury, fleas, intestinal parasites or rodenticide exposure; or

  • Destruction of red blood cells within the body, because of such factors as Mycoplasma bacteria (once called Hemobartonella) or ingestion of toxins such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), onions, garlic or the zinc in sunscreens or pennies.

In a recent study of over 30,000 adult cats, 3.6 percent were anemic. Further testing should determine the cause of Kiki’s anemia, which will guide your veterinarian in treating her.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.

  • Instagram logo
  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • Twitter

No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

Copyright © 2015-2023 Figo Pet Insurance LLC. All rights reserved