Signs Your Cat Is Sick.

If you are a cat owner, you must know about the common cat health problems. It can be tricky to understand the cat illness symptoms. However, there are various ways to tell that a cat is sick. You can give proper treatment to your cat only if you detect the symptoms of sickness on time.

Is my Cat Sick?

As cats cannot talk and their bodies are covered with fur, it is tricky to understand if your cat is sick. If you are a cat owner, you must take your cat for a checkup every six months. Cats that are more than 7 years old have more health issues than younger cats.

There are various subtle signs of a sick cat. You have to recognize the subtle signs to understand if your cat is unwell. You need to notice your cat’s eating habits, grooming habits, and actions to detect if something is wrong.

Related: Aggression in Cats: How to Effectively Handle an Aggressive Cat

10 Symptoms of a Sick Cat

If you take care of your cat regularly, she will not be overly sick. You can take her to the veterinarian if you notice a couple of sick cat symptoms. But in order to do so, you need to know the top 10 symptoms of a sick cat.

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath is one of the top signs your cat could be sick. If you get a foul odor from your cat’s mouth, it can be the sign of tooth decay or gum disease.

You can prevent dental diseases by brushing the teeth of your cat regularly.

If your cat’s breath smells like ammonia, it can be the symptom of kidney diseases or digestive disorders.

2. Change in Appetite

Change in appetite is one of the most common signs of illness in cats. If you notice that your cat is either eating too little or too much, it can be the sign of a disease. An increased appetite can be due to some endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

If you notice a striking change in your cat’s appetite, you should talk to a veterinarian. He can prescribe blood tests, X-rays or ultrasound to diagnose the cause of the change in appetite.

3. Change in Water Intake

Increased water intake is a sick cat behavior. If you notice your cat is drinking more water than usual, you need to inform the veterinarian.

Although cats require plenty of fresh water, increased water intake can be a sign of kidney disease in cats. It can also be due to thyroid problems or diabetes.

4. Litter Box Issues

A sick kitten displays litter box issues. You can understand your cat is sick if she eliminates outside the litter box. It can be the symptom of various health issues such as urinary tract infections, kidney diseases, and bladder stones.

If you notice that your cat is straining to defecate or urinate, you should take her to the veterinarian immediately. An ill cat tries to urinate but does not produce anything. It can be due to a blockage, which if left untreated, can be fatal.

You can tell that your cat is sick if she starts crying while going to the bathroom. It means that your cat is in chronic pain.

Also See: Dying Cat Symptoms: Signs That Show a Cat is Dying

5. Changes in Activity

If you notice sudden changes in the activity of your cat, you need to talk to a veterinarian. A lethargic cat can be the indication of arthritis. If you notice that your active cat does not enjoy playing or moving around, it means she has some health issues.

A cat won’t move from one spot if she is experiencing pain. If there is an increase in the activity level of a middle-aged cat, it can be an indication of thyroid problems. As a cat owner, you need to observe these changes to understand if your cat is sick.

6. Sudden Weight Loss or Gain

One of the prominent signs of a sick cat is sudden weight loss or weight gain. If your cat is gaining or losing weight suddenly, you need to take her to the veterinarian.

Extreme weight loss in a cat can be a sign of serious diseases such as cancer. Gaining too much weight can lead to obesity such can give rise to health problems such as heart diseases or diabetes.

Read: 8 Top Reasons Why Your Cat May Be Meowing Continually

7. Change in Sleep Pattern

A sick kitty displays changes in sleep pattern. If your cat is sleeping the entire day, it can be because she is not feeling well. The opposite is also a matter of concern.

If you see that your cat is roaming around the house and vocalizing the entire night, it can be due to an underlying disease. A sick cat either sleeps too much or doesn’t sleep at all.

8. Blood in Vomit, Urine or Stool

You can understand that your cat is sick if you notice any signs of blood in vomit, urine or stool. These are signs of a serious disease.

If you are thinking what to do for a sick cat, you should take her immediately to a good veterinarian. Blood in the urine of your cat indicates a urinary tract infection.

9. Change in Grooming Habits

You can tell that your cat is sick if you notice a striking change in grooming habits. If you see a lack of grooming, it can be a sign of skin diseases.

Over grooming can be the sign of pain, allergies or skin parasites such as fleas. When you are providing cat care, you need to observe all these subtle signs.

Read: First Time Cat Owners: Important Things to do Before Bringing a Cat Home

10. Change in Vocalization

You can understand that your cat is sick if she howls overnight. Changes in vocalization can be due to various medical conditions such as hypertension or hyperthyroidism.

Check Out: Understanding the Death Rattle in Cats: Symptoms and Causes

Wrapping It Up

Now that you know about the cat illnesses and symptoms, you can take your cat to the veterinarian on time. If you are wondering how to prevent illness in cats, you should take your cat for annual checkups twice.

You must remember that cats age at a much faster rate than human beings. So, for cat health, it is important to take them to the veterinarian every six months.

After the complete checkup, the veterinarian can tell if there is anything wrong with your cat. Be attentive to your cat’s behavior and habits so that you can point out if there is a sudden change.