How to understand that the cat is sick: 8 signs
Miscellaneous / / May 17, 2022
Sudden changes in the behavior or appearance of the pet may indicate health problems.
1. Pet drinking too much or too little water
On average for cats needHydration / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine 100 milliliters of liquid for every 2 kilograms of weight. An animal weighing 5 kilograms will drink about a cup of water a day. The need for liquids can vary depending on the weather: in the heat, thirst occurs more often. Diet also has an effect: cats that eat wet food instead of dry food may drink less. The owner should be alerted by sudden changes in the habits of the pet. If your cat is emptying his water bowl faster than before, this could be a sign diabetesDiabetes in Pets / American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), chronic renal failureChronic Kidney Disease in Cats / VCA Animal Hospitals or hyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism in Cats / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
If the pet drinks a little, this can also be an alarming symptomCat Dehydration: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments / WebMD
and indicate problems with the stomach or other organs. But sometimes the refusal is not connected with the disease, but with the cat's selectivity. The owner needs to properly arrange a place for drinking. Use a metal or ceramic bowl - plastic accumulates an odor that repels your pet. Rinse the container regularly. Keep it away from the litter box and feeder - some cats just don't like to drink near food, let alone a toilet.2. His appetite has changed
Sometimes the reasons for refusing food are banal: a cat can simply don't like the food or a bowl. Offer your pet a different treat and watch the reaction. A long extinction of appetite, as a rule, indicates the presence of a health problem. AT some casesWhat to Do When Your Cat Won't Eat / WebMD cats stop eating due to infections, diseases of the digestive system, dental problems. And animals do not approach the bowl if they have swallowed a foreign object.
Excessive appetite is also a bad sign. Sometimes it occurs due to diabetesDiabetes in Pets / American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), hyperthyroidismHyperthyroidism in Cats / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine or wormsWorms in cats / The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. If the cat eats more than usual, but does not gain weight or even loses weight, most likely it has parasites. Talk to your veterinarian about what medications to give your pet to prevent worms.
3. The cat has stopped bathing (or, conversely, spends too much time grooming)
A healthy pet is regularly licked to clean the coat and get rid of stray clumps. The exception is long-haired breeds, such as Persians or maine coons. It is more difficult for them to care for a fur coat and get rid of tangles. But if the cat has always been clean and suddenly stopped grooming, this may be a signal of health problems. Sometimes it is difficult for animals to raise their legs due to arthritisArthritis in cats / The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals - with it, movements bring pain. By the way, some animals do not want to be licked because of obesity - it is simply difficult for them to reach the stomach or tail. Such a pet definitely needs a diet: overweight in cats leadsObesity in Cats / VCA Animal Hospitals to hypertension and heart disease. To check how carefully the pet takes care of itself, pay attention to it after eating. Usually cats always wash themselves after eating.
Sometimes cats lick too often. It is not difficult to notice this - bald patches or areas with “shorn” hair appear on the pet (her cat chewed especially intensively). CauseCat Grooming Tips / American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals excessive care may be an allergy or fleas. And sometimes stressOvergrooming Cats / MSPCA-Angell - in this case, the owner should pay more attention to the pet.
4. The animal has bad breath
A strong putrid odor indicateBad Breath: Sign of Illness? / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for problems with the kidneys or liver, diabetes, diseases of the skin around the mouth. Often the cause of bad breath lies in inflammation of the gumsBad Breath: Sign of Illness? / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. You may look for additional symptoms. For example, sometimes a cat doesn't want to eatDental Pain in Cats / VCA Animal Hospitals solid food and chews more slowly than usual. These problems cannot be ignored - in the future, the pet may be left without teeth. To prevent inflammation, veterinarians recommendBad Breath: Sign of Illness? / Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine brush your cat's teeth every day with a special gel. It helps to remove the plaque that provokes the disease.
5. An unusual seal appeared on the body of the pet
If you pet a cat and feel a lump, don't leave it unattended. The presence of bumps may be sign of cancerSenior pet care FAQ / American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Do not delay your visit to the doctor: thanks to early diagnosis, some tumors canCancer in Pets / American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) cure. If it turns out that the cancer is already in the final stages and it makes no sense to operate on a cat, you can consult on how to improve the quality of life of a sick pet.
6. The cat has a wet muzzle (but he did not drink water)
If your pet has a runny nose and eyes, it could be signCat Colds/PetMD upper respiratory infections. feline cold The symptoms are similar to those of a human. In most cases, the animal tolerates it easily, although a trip to the veterinary clinic will be useful. Sometimes a cold leads to dangerous secondary infections, such as pneumonia. Particular care should be taken to monitor the condition of kittens and older cats. And also allergic irritation with the same symptoms causeFlea Allergy Dermatitis in Cats / PetMD fleas.
In addition, the muzzle is wet due to increased salivationExcessive Production of Saliva in Cats / PetMD. This happens if the cat is poisoned and vomits. And if you do not see other symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, excess saliva can signal problems with the tonsils, teeth, gums, and even kidneys.
7. Cat won't stop vomiting
Sometimes animals feel sick when overeating and they regurgitate hair. If this happens sporadically, there is no cause for concern. You can give food in small portions so that a hungry pet does not sweep it off the plate. And regular combing and special food will help to cope with hairballs.
Severe vomiting may be symptomWhat to Do If My Cat Is Throwing Up / WebMD allergies, intestinal inflammation, kidney disease and even cancer. Do not expect the problem to go away on its own: even with a banal poisoning, the animal's body is dehydrated. Before taking your furry pet to the clinic, write down the frequency and color of the discharge. This will help the doctor make a diagnosis.
8. Pet just doesn't look like himself
Sometimes it is difficult to understand what is wrong - the cat is just different. She used to be silent, but now she meows loudly. Or, on the contrary, a noisy and active pet has become quiet and refuses to play. Often such changes in character indicate that the animal experiencingCat Behavior Problems - Compulsive Disorders in Cats / VCA Animal Hospitals pain or stress, for example, when moving or having another cat in the house. If there were no alarming situations, carefully observe your pet. You will notice when he behaves differently, and you will find the main symptoms. Let's say the cat moves slowly and no longer jumps on the favorite window sill. Most likely, these are signs of arthritis. And if the animal meows on the tray, it may be suffering from cystitis or constipation.
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