8 Symptoms of Cat Illness You Must Know

8 Symptoms of Cat Illness You Must Know

Many cat owners can’t detect whether or not their feline friends are sick. Well, we can’t blame them. After all, cats can’t speak about what they’re feeling.

And if you think that’s already a problem, the situation becomes even more complex because these kitties know how to hide the symptoms. As a result, signs of weakness become unnoticeable. Why do they do that? That is simply because in the wild, sickly animals become prey to the stronger ones.

But then again, that does not imply that you will never know if your cat is sick. While these adorable creatures don’t give clues, we can still observe it in their actions and behaviour. Let’s go over each one of them.

1. Sudden Loss or Increase of Appetite

8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_-_2 8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_-_3 8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_

Cats aren’t picky eaters. In fact, they would eat almost anything given to them. However, not all people food are safe for them. Therefore, you might want to take caution in what you feed them. You don’t want to upset their stomachs, right?

But if you notice that your pet refuses to eat her food, you might have to be vigilant. It could mean she’s not feeling well. She might be having a dental problem or an internal illness. But if she eats more than the usual, it could signify hyperthyroidism or diabetes.

2. Not Using the Litter Box

Is your cat trained to use the litter box and then suddenly makes a mess around the house or outside the box? There’s a problem.

Though that habit could be very annoying, it could indicate an underlying disease. If she appears to be having a hard time to pee or defecate, bring her to the vet right away. It could be she’s having a blockage somewhere.

3. Abrupt Weight Loss or Weight Gain

Weight loss or gain may happen any time. But if the weight change seems too sudden, it is better to take your cat to the vet. It could indicate a thyroid problem, which can be caused by cancer.

For older cats, weight loss may be normal because they lose muscle mass. Still, if the loss is abrupt, it can be something serious. So rush and visit the vet immediately.

4. Behaviour Change

When a cat is not feeling well, it will normally avoid contact with anyone. She will hide in the darkest corners of the house and want to be alone, far from humans and distractions.

So for instance, if your cat is very playful, and suddenly, she’s hiding in one spot, it could mean one thing. She might be sick. If she gets aggressive, especially if you touch her in one spot, she could be in pain.

5. Grooming Habits

Cats are known as finicky groomers. So if you notice that your pet’s coat is becoming greasier and duller than ever, she might have a skin disease. Allergies or mites could cause that.

Meanwhile, if she starts to over-groom, she could be in pain, stressed, or have allergies. Experts say that over-grooming may result in bald spots in your feline pal’s body.

6. Unusual Sleep Patterns

8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_-_5 8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_ 8_Symptoms_of_Cat_Illness_You_Must_Know_

Cats spend 2/3 of their lives sleeping. Although it sounds odd, they still develop a consistent routine of napping. Hence, if your cat seems to be always sleeping when she used to be very active, she might be telling you that she is ill.

On the other hand, if you notice her to be very active at night when in fact she’s supposed to be sleeping, there might be another issue, which can sometimes be associated with aging.

7. Bad Breath

Cats do not always have that pleasant breath, but if you notice your pets having that overly bad breath, it could be a symptom of tooth decay or gum disease. There might be something that is rotten in their mouth. However, stinky breath can also be associated with underlying illnesses like digestive disorder or kidney disease. In order to prevent these diseases, it is best that you brush your cat’s teeth.

8. Voice Change

If your naturally quiet feline pal becomes very vocal or if it’s the other way around, she could be ill. The same goes if you notice an actual voice change. It’s either she has colds or it’s a sign of hyperthyroidism.

As soon as you notice any of these signs, you already know what to do. Do not just stand there and say, “Poor kitty!” Take your cat to the nearest vet before all the symptoms escalate.

Bonus. Here’s to happier and healthier kitties! To keep your cats healthy and happy at the same time, it is better to offer them cat scratching posts. That item will help them satisfy their natural urge to scratch. Know more about how a scratching post could be of great use through the eBook below.

Image Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.