Sick Cat Symptoms

In most cases, symptoms shown by a sick cat are apparent and easily noticeable. However, there are cases, wherein, your cat may be suffering from some kind of health condition without revealing any kind of symptoms. Generally, if your cat is not keeping well, she will exhibit physical and emotional changes which are less than normal or usual. It becomes your responsibility to identify such changes and diagnose any illness which your pet might be going through.

How To Know if Your Cat is Sick

One of the first symptoms that you cat might show when it is sick is related to its behavior. As an owner, none would be more familiar with your cat's normal behavior, than you. So, any changes in your feline which may be unusual or abnormal, must be enough to alarm you regarding its health. For instance, if your cat, who is active by nature, becomes lethargic for no reason, then this might be indicative of something amiss in the animal. An ailing cat's behavior, according to most owners, included acting funny or becoming too aggressive over time. So, identify all such signs which do not go with the nature of your cat and discuss with the vet accordingly.

Changes in your cat's appetite is another sign of it being sick. In most cases, a sick cat won't eat and if you do notice that your cat's appetite is getting degraded all of a sudden, then you must consider her to be taken to the vet. In some cases, you may notice that your cat is hungry and is craving for food, but somehow she is not able to eat properly. Even in such a case, there might be a reason to worry about. On the other hand, eating too much is also a symptom of illness. Apart from keeping a check on your pet's appetite, it is also advisable to monitor the nature of its elimination. If there are any traces of blood in the cat stool or urine or the presence of mucus in the same, then you must discuss this with the vet. If there are incidences of your cat vomiting frequently, then this might also be a symptom of disorder in the animal. Even color or odor of the feces or urine may help in diagnosing the cat's condition.

Other symptoms which might be indicative of any sickness in your cat include stark white, yellowish, bluish or pale appearance of the skin of mouth and gums. Cats are among those animals who like to keep themselves clean and well-groomed. They are pretty particular about their personal hygiene. So, if your cat is not keeping himself clean and groomed, he is most probably suffering from an ailment. On the other hand, excessive grooming is also a sign of a medical disorder, such as stress, skin problem or flea infestation. It should be known that a healthy feline displays a soft, clean, slightly lustrous coat.

Increased thirst or urination, diarrhea, high fever, constipation, ear infection, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and eyes are the other indications of your cat's ill health. A cat who is not drinking enough water becomes dehydrated and easily falls ill. Grasp the skin between the shoulder blades of your cat and pull up slightly. When you let it go, the skin should snap back into its place, if your pet is well hydrated, which won't be the case otherwise.

What to feed a sick cat and what not, is best when consulted or discussed with a vet. If your pet is too weak to take his meal himself, then you can feed him by your hands. Cats who cannot manage eating solid foods, may be put on a liquid diet as a part of the treatment. So, once you notice any of the above symptoms of any sickness in your cat, you must get it pet diagnosed and treated by a vet as soon as possible. As a pet owner, it is important that you keep a close watch on your pet's health, so that severe complications can be evaded at the earliest.