Companion Animals

Cat Hypertension - Diagnosis and Treatment

Hypertension in cats is often secondary to kidney disease or hyperthyroidism and causes blindness, neurological damage and heart strain without treatment.

Key Facts

Systolic blood pressure above 160 mmHg is considered hypertensive in cats
Sudden blindness from retinal detachment is the most dramatic presenting sign
Amlodipine is the first-line antihypertensive drug for cats and is highly effective
Blood pressure should be measured in all cats with CKD, hyperthyroidism or over 7 years
Early treatment prevents organ damage and preserves quality of life

Welfare Considerations

Feline hypertension causes sudden, preventable loss of vision and organ damage. Blood pressure monitoring in at-risk cats is a critical and often underperformed welfare measure.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to measure your senior cat's blood pressure at annual checks
Monitor older cats for sudden changes in vision or coordination
Ensure cats with CKD or hyperthyroidism have regular blood pressure monitoring