How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Sick?

Hidden Pet Health Problems Can Affect Your Cat

Aug 7, 2008

Cats can be quite adept at hiding signs of illness. Many cats don't see a vet until they are very sick, simply because their owners didn't realize anything was wrong.

One aspect of cat behavior that can be frustrating for owners is the fact that cats often hide symptoms of sickness until the illness is quite advanced. This behavior seems couterproductive to humans, but it actually works as a survival mechanism in the wild, where an obviously sick cat would be an easy target for a predator.

Every cat owner should be very familiar with how her cat normally acts. Spend a few minutes with your kitty every day, petting her from head to toe. You'll know right away if any strange lumps appear anywhere on her body. Play with her, too. Daily exercise will help keep her in top shape, and you'll notice if she's having trouble jumping or moving around.

Watch For Changes In Your Cat's Behavior

An increase or decrease in your cat's appetite can indicate health problems. Try to get your cat on a twice-a-day feeding schedule. If you have more than one cat, feed each one a measured portion separately so you can tell if the cat's appetite has changed. Ravenous hunger with no weight gain can be a symptom of feline diabetes, while a complete lack of appetite can indicate other problems.

Changes in your cat's digestion, including frequent vomiting, sudden diarrhea, or constipation, may be symptoms of more serious problems.

Be aware of how much water your cat normally drinks. Extreme thirst is another sign of feline diabetes.

Any changes in litter box habits can indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially if she's urinating someplace else. Sometimes a cat will associate the pain of a UTI with the litter box. She thinks that if she goes someplace else, it won't hurt. We humans know it doesn't work like that, but she doesn't.

A cat who has stopped using the litter box completely may have a urinary blockage. This is an emergency, and you need to take your cat to the vet as soon as you can.

Watch your kitty's eyes. Cats have what is called a "third eyelid," or nictitating membrane. If you notice this membrane covering the inside third of your cat's eye, it means that she's not feeling well.

Cats are normally very careful in their grooming. If your kitty starts looking a bit scraggly or moth-eaten, that's a tip-off that something is wrong.

Has your kitty's personality changed? A formerly friendly, happy cat who suddenly becomes grouchy or aggressive could be in pain from a bad tooth, or an ear infection, or arthritis. If your sociable, out-going cat becomes a recluse who prefers to be alone, she could be seriously ill.

Does your cat cry out if you pet her in a certain spot? Does she meow when she's using the litter box? How about when she jumps down from the sofa or a window? Vocalization can indicate she's in pain.

A cat can't talk and tell us what's wrong, so it's up to the cat owner to be aware of any changes in how her pet is acting.

Danger Signs

If your cat shows any of these symptoms, take her to the vet as soon as possible:

You know your cat better than anybody else does. Trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem quite right about your cat, don't hesitate to take her to the vet for a check-up.

The copyright of the article How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Sick? in Cat Care is owned by Darlene Norris. Permission to republish How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Sick? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.