10 SIGNS OF ILLNESS IN A CAT
Inappropriate Elimination: cats do not urinate or defecate outside the litter box out of spite, anger or retaliation. Cats prefer a clean environment. When they eliminate outside the litter box, it is an indication that something is wrong.
Changes in Social Interactions: Contrary to popular belief, most cats are social beings which typically enjoy interaction with their owners and other household pets. When a cat repeatedly rejects social contact or acts aggressively, this is a signal that something is wrong
Increase or Decrease in Activity Level: Significant changes in activity level can be an indication that they do not feel well. Cats don’t normally slow down just because they are old! “Oldness” is NOT a disease.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns: Know your cat’s normal sleeping patterns. The average adult cat may spend 16 to 18 hours per day sleeping, but they should respond quickly to familiar stimuli such as being petted or being offered food. cat Sleeping through these stimuli is a signal that something is wrong.
Changes in Eating Habits: Most cats are not picky eaters. Look for changes in the quantity of food consumed, how much time the cat spends eating, and how much water is consumed on a daily basis. Changes can be an indication of poor dental health, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer, kidney disease or many other health problems.
Changes in Weight: Weight loss or excessive weight gain. It is possible for a cat to regularly eat, finish every meal, and drink sufficiently but still lose weight. Weight changes often go unnoticed because it sometimes happens quite slowly. If your cat loses weight to the point that you notice it, the actual percentage of body weight lost by that time is often significant. At Laketown Cat Hospital Cats are routinely weighted at every appointment in order to objectively assess weight loss or gain. This information can greatly help us narrow down the type of issue your cat may be afflicted by.
Changes in Grooming Habits: Typically, cats are fastidious groomers. You should routinely assess them for matted hair, a dirty/greasy hair coat, or hair loss. All of these signs can signal an underlying health issue.
Changes in Stress Level: Boredom and sudden lifestyle changes are common causes of stress in cats. Stress can be caused by changes made to the litter/litter box, family changes such as adding a new pet or human family member, a change of diet, moving, or the absence of family members. Stress can cause cats to modify their normal behaviors. They may may become less social, they may eat less, or they may eliminate outside the litter box.
Changes in Vocalizations: Vocalizations include crying, howling or any other new/unusual sound a cat starts making. Changes can indicate pain, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, or high blood pressure among other disease processes.
Bad Breath: There is no such thing as “cat breath” in a healthy cat. Bad breath is often an indicator of oral disease. Untreated oral disease can lead to pain, oral abscesses, and the loss of teeth. Studies show 70 percent of cats have gum disease as early as age 3.
