Cats are not known for being very forthcoming when they are sick or in pain. Brownswitch Pet Hospital thinks it is important for cat owners to have a good understanding of how to tell if their cat is not feeling well. Do you know how to tell if your cat is sick? Keep reading to learn more.
Keeping Tabs on Kitty
Many times cats are pretty subtle about their ailments until things become very serious. Knowing what things are normal for your individual pet and what things are out of character can be huge clues as to how your pet is doing.
You can improve your cat wellness game by paying attention to simple things such as:
- When and how your cat uses the litter box
- Your cat’s sleeping patterns
- How your cat interacts with people and other pets in the home
- Play activities
- How much your cat is eating and drinking
- How mobile your pet is
- Social behaviors
- Grooming habits
This is also where routine wellness examinations come in. By bringing your cat in routinely to see our veterinary staff when they are well, we can be more in tune with fluctuations in weight, changes on wellness screens, and concerns at home.
Let us know if your cat is acting outside of their normal habits. Chances are that if you think something isn’t right, it’s not.
How to Tell if Your Cat Might be Sick
Sometimes cats are willing to help us and let us know with a little more obvious tactics that they are not well. Please make an appointment right away if your cat:
- Has an obvious increase in urination
- Is losing weight
- Is unable to urinate or defecate
- Has changes in bowel movements
- Seems more thirsty than normal
- Isn’t eating well
- Is not using their litter box
- Seems to be overgrooming themself
- Is hiding more than normal
- Exhibits sudden aggression that is out of character
- Vomits more than once in a 24 hour period
- Is sneezing or experiencing drainage from the nose or eyes
- Seems to be breathing heavily
These signs may not lead to a certain diagnosis, but they are sure indicators that something isn’t right. They warrant an examination and likely further diagnostic testing.
So no matter if your cat is hiding, you are experiencing a sudden outburst of feline aggression, or something just seems off, trust your gut. You know your cat better than anyone, and they are counting on you to help them when they are not feeling well or in pain.