We adore our cats because they are so independent. Yet that same trait permits us to at times, not pay as much attention to their behaviours and temperament as much as we should. Even normal behavior that is slightly altered could be attributed to many factors such as a change in feed, too much catnip or a tiresome day of excessive hunting (inside and outside your home). Therefore, we need to know how to tell if your cat is sick. The following are some guidelines to utilize when determining whether our cat needs a Vet visit or some extra tender loving care.

Excessive Sneezing

If your cat is sneezing more, or more than usual for periods of a time or has extra nasal mucous coming out of its’ nostrils, this could be a sign that your cat may have allergies or is stressed out. Possibly there may be an abnormal amount of dust in your house if you are doing renovations or it is dry in your home due to heat being turned on because the winter season has arrived. Some cats can get stressed out if left for a couple of days by themselves, if there pet parents had business to do out of town or if they went on a mini vacation. If the sneezing persists for more than a couple of days a vet visit is warranted.

Itchiness and Hair loss

A cat that is constantly scratching his head and ears, this could indicate fleas due to the fact that these little pest like to imbed themselves under the chin, behind the ears and between the neck and shoulders. Your cat is just trying to relieve itself from discomfort and who can blame them. Hair loss in certain areas around you cat’s body could indicate that they have a fungal infection or endocrine problems.

Increase or decline in Urination

If you cat is all of a sudden urinating frequently it could signal that they might be diabetic or have liver or kidney disease. On another note, if your kitty is crying or straining while urinating or urinating and excreting outside your litter box, it could indicate that they may have a urinary tract problem or bladder stones.
Vomiting and Diarrhea- Your cat from time to time will cough up hairballs which can range from a little to a lot. If you notice blood in the hairballs when you clean it up, this is a warning to see your vet immediately. Blood in diarrhea may be a little harder to analyze but diarrhea of any kind can indicate a gastrointestinal illness and needs to be looked into by a practitioner of veterinary medicine.

Decrease or increase in appetite

If your cat is constantly eating and they aren’t a ‘broken in’ stray cat or has lost its appetite altogether and you have noticed this for the past day and a bit, the best thing to do is to take them to your vet for an health examination. For homes with 2 or more cats determining a healthy appetite is tricky and it is only until we see visible signs of behavior (lethargic, stumbling constantly, in a stupor) that we take action.

Loss of energy

Since cats can sleep up to 16 or more hours a day, it can be a little hard to tell if your cat has a decreased amount of energy or is just sleeping more because they are growing or just found another nice cozy spot to relax in. Basically, if your cat’s routine seems a bit off and they are not engaging in activities that they normally would, then something is surely not right and needs to get looked into.

Bad Breath

Breath that consistently has a foul odor can be an indication of dental disease or a kidney problem. It can be quite unpleasant for you if your cat likes to sniff your and lick your face, hence a quick trip to the Vet’s is the best way to determine the reason for the stinky breath.

How to tell if your cat is sick Summary

Pay attention to your pets since they depend on us for their livelihood, listen to your gut instinct, and take note of aloof and abnormal behavior. Your cat may not like going to the doctor but who does? It is always better to err on the side of caution, than watch our felines suffer.