Sick cats will often show changes in their overall appearance, coat appearance, sociability, energy level, and/or appetite, amount of shedding, breathing, litterbox usage, or discharges from the nose or eyes. Generally, sudden changes in your cat, whether in their physical attributes or behavior, will need veterinary attention. As a cat owner, it’s your responsibility to know early warning signs so you can tell everything to the vet and your cat will be treated in a proper and swift manner.
[spoiler title=’Click to Watch the Video: How to tell if your cat is sick’ style=”orange”]
[sc name=”reklame_under_video”]
[/spoiler]
Table of Contents
Signs That Tell Your Cat is Sick
Aside from the changes or signs we have mentioned above, there’s another reason why your cat and many other pets are less likely to show illness or pain – they simply don’t have an emotional relationship with the discomfort they feel. Having said that, animals tend to easily accept the illness or pain as a normal one and they move on. It might not be until a cat is extremely sick that his sickness becomes obvious to people.
Vomiting
It’s definitely not normal for cats to vomit. Some people may think that it is ok for cats to vomit more frequently, but it is not. On the other hand, things like the occasional hairball or rare vomiting are not huge concerns. But anything more than this calls an immediate trip to your trusted vet.
Litter Box Issues
If your kitty has always been great when using his litter box and suddenly starts making messes, then there might be a problem. Some health concerns that can possibly cause issues in using litter boxes include urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and kidney disease. This is true once you have ruled out such concerns as cleanliness. If your feline friend appears to be struggling to urinate, visit your vet immediately. Also, if he is trying to use the bathroom but not producing anything, then he could possibly have a blockage somewhere that could be dangerous if left untreated.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea might indicate intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, as well as a wide variety of other health concerns. When left untreated, this can possibly lead to further intestinal inflammation due to dehydration. It is also quite uncomfortable for your feline friend. So, make sure to visit your vet right away if your cat has diarrhea and bring a stool sample for easier diagnosis.
Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain
If your cat is gaining or losing weight for no obvious reason, then it is time to visit your vet. This is true if the changes in your cat’s weight seem sudden. Due to their small size, a feline’s losing or gaining a single pound is comparable to a human losing or gaining ten pounds. Sometimes, it’s normal for an adult cat to lose weight since they also lose muscle mass, however, extreme weight loss can point to something serious in their health condition like cancer.
Extreme weight gain can also result in obesity that will eventually lead to a lot of health problems. A cat that’s obese can develop several health issues that an obese human also will, such as heart disease or diabetes.
Lethargy
Lethargy can also be a sign of an underlying health problem, even if it is subtle. Make sure to call or visit your veterinarian if your kitty seems to be less energetic than normal like sleeping more than usual, or lying around a lot. There’s probably something wrong with your cat if he has low energy.
Blood in Vomit, Stool, or Urine
Blood in your cat’s urine can be a sign of urinary tract disorder, most especially if it’s accompanied by increased visits to his litter box and/or straining while urinating. On the other hand, blood in your cat’s stool can indicate different illnesses, but some are relatively minor. Others, such as parasitic infections, are considered more serious. However, vomiting blood is always a major sign that your cat has a serious health problem. If your cat is vomiting blood, he needs to be taken to the vet right away.
[crp]
Common Questions About How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick
Is My Cat Stressed or Sick?
Yes, stress can possibly make your cat sick. Fortunately, just a little attention from you and something fun you can do sometimes throughout the day can ward off the signs of illness. So, whenever you have the chance, go play with your feline friend. He will surely be happier and healthier for it.
How Do You Comfort a Sick Cat?
Make sure you keep a comfortable temperature for your cat. Provide some blankets or comforters if it is cool, or shade and cool the place if it is hot. Providing a dark, quiet place for your cat without children or other pets around could also be helpful for your cat’s fast recovery. You should also make sure that there’s enough water available at all times.
What Can Cause A Cat to Have A Fever?
Most cases of feline fever are caused by viral infections like feline panleukopenia virus, FIP, FIV, FeLV, calicivirus, or herpesvirus. It’s also important to inform your vet about any travel you’ve done recently with your cat, any potential exposure to infected or unknown animals, any medications or supplements that you’re administering, as well as other information that may be important for your cat’s diagnosis.
Conclusion
You can also be able to keep your cat as happy and healthy as possible by feeding him a healthy diet. This can help your cat avoid health problems like obesity. Many veterinarians recommend wet food that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Make sure to use a parasite prevention routine as recommended by your veterinarian. This can help prevent intestinal parasites, fleas, as well as other parasites from making your kitty sick.
