How to tell if your cat is sick

Cats are great hunters and predators, but not everyone knows that they can also become prey for some larger animals. To protect themselves, cats have developed the ability to hide injuries and illnesses very well. They are so good at this that sometimes you don’t realize there’s something wrong until you feel a lot of pain.

But if you know what signs to look out for, you may be able to spot early on when something is wrong.

Symptoms of a sick cat

Owners often notice that their cats are “acting strange”, which can refer to a variety of changes in behavior and habits. Here are some ways your cat can let you know that they’re not feeling too well:

Suddenly eating more, less, or no longer

One of the first signs you’ll notice in a sick cat is a change in appetite.

• Increased appetite may be caused by intestinal parasites, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or gastrointestinal diseases that cause nutrient malabsorption.

• Loss of appetite may be due to nausea, fever, food aversion, gastrointestinal illness, or mouth pain (due to dental disease, a mass, foreign body, or trauma).

Drink more

Some of the reasons why your cat may be feeling thirsty include:

• Diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Hyperthyroidism

• Increased calcium

• Less common endocrine disorders such as acromegaly and hyperadrenocorticism

• Certain urinary diets designed to increase thirst and encourage frequent urination

Meowing and meowing some more

Some cats meow more than others, and again this varies by breed, but if you notice your cat meowing more or in a different way, it could be that she’s trying to communicate physical or emotional distress.

Cats may meow more if they are hungry or in pain, and some cats may develop cognitive impairment or senility as they age, which may also change how often they meow.

Suddenly stopped using the toilet

If your cat suddenly becomes unable to urinate (especially a male cat), seek veterinary care immediately as there may be a blockage in the lower urinary tract (usually the urethra), which is a medical emergency.

If your cat perceives the litter box as painful, it may stop using it and start urinating and defecating elsewhere. This can happen if your cat has illnesses such as cystitis, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea or constipation, or arthritis or other joint pain makes it difficult for them to get to and from the litter box.

Another reason cats avoid the litter box in multi-cat households is because one cat is guarding the litter box and preventing other cats from using it.

Vomiting or diarrhea

Potential causes of vomiting and diarrhea in cats include:

Poorly or overly groomed

It may seem counterintuitive, but pain can cause an increase or decrease in grooming behavior in cats.

For example, cats with painful bladder conditions may overgroom to the point that the hair on their abdomen falls out, and some cats overgroom to soothe themselves when they are anxious.

However, if one or more joints are painful, your cat may avoid grooming those areas altogether, which can lead to matted and tangled fur.

Obese cats may also have difficulty grooming their hind legs and the spine near their tail, where the hair may appear matted. If your cat is experiencing pain in their mouth, they may also be unable to groom themselves comfortably.

bad breath

Bad breath is usually caused by dental disease (such as tartar, gingivitis, stomatitis, dental abscesses, or masses or tumors in the mouth), but it can also be a sign of internal medical conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes. Virbac CET® Enzyme Chicken Flavored Toothpaste for Dogs and Catstoothbrushes, etc. H&H Pet Toothbrush for Cats and Small Dogs It helps prevent dental diseases.

Mood changes/sudden moodiness

If your cat’s mood changes suddenly and they’re suddenly grumpy, there could be a few underlying causes.

If you notice any changes in your cat’s mood, contact your veterinarian.

Changes in pupil size

A cat’s pupils are the same size as human pupils and should respond to light in roughly the same way — in bright light, their pupils should be smaller and in dim light or darkness, their pupils should be larger.

Unequal sized pupils, or anisocoria, is not normal in cats and can be a sign of:

Persistently enlarged or dilated pupils (mydriasis) may be caused by high blood pressure, retinal disease, or a tumor affecting the cranial nerves or brain.

Persistently small pupils (miosis) may be caused by a brain disorder or Horner syndrome.

Lethargy or excessive agitation (changes in energy levels)

While changes in your energy levels may seem like a very vague sign of illness, they could also be a sign of certain health conditions.

For example, cats with hyperthyroidism are often very active, whereas cats who appear lethargic may have arthritis or a number of other diseases. Changes in energy levels may seem to happen suddenly, or they may become more gradually noticeable over time.

hiding

A cat that hides is definitely trying to tell you something. A cat may hide because she is scared, but she may also hide if she is stressed or in pain, or if she is avoiding a threatening cat or human family member. Some pregnant cats may be looking for a private, quiet place to give birth to their kittens.

Weight loss

While a stable, healthy weight is a good indicator of overall health, drastic changes in weight can be a sign of an underlying health problem.

Weight loss can be seen in many conditions, including:

Older cats may lose muscle mass and appear thinner overall.

Weight gain

Weight gain is most commonly caused by overeating, but can also be caused by endocrine disorders such as hyperadrenocorticism or acromegaly, or some cancerous tumors. Diseases such as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) can cause fluid to build up in your cat’s abdomen, making it appear enlarged and overweight.

Breathing problems (wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing)

Unlike dogs, cats don’t normally pant. Cats may pant temporarily after strenuous exercise, but they may also pant if they are stressed, have serious heart or lung disease, or are too hot.

Wheezing in cats is usually due to asthma. Coughing can be a sign of a respiratory infection, bronchitis, heartworm disease, asthma, or even cancer.

Discharge from the eyes and ears

Normally, cats have very little discharge from their eyes or ears.

• Eye discharge can be caused by irritants, corneal injuries, bacterial or viral infections, or eyelid disorders.

• Ear discharge is most often caused by bacterial or fungal infections or ear mites.

Hair removal

If your cat is anxious or in pain in a particular area, they may overgroom and lose hair. Hair loss can also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections (such as ringworm), allergies, or parasites such as fleas.

Limping/Difficulty jumping

Changes in the way your cat walks or moves can be a good indicator that your cat is in pain. Cats will often change the way they move if they experience discomfort in one or more of their joints.

Normal aging can cause your cat to develop painful arthritis and a limp. The limp or change in gait can be subtle — pay attention to how your cat jumps up and down surfaces and how they climb up and down stairs.

Extreme causes of changes in gait include fractures or injuries to muscles, ligaments, or tendons due to trauma.

Any changes, whether subtle or dramatic, should be checked by a veterinarian.

Seizures

Seizures can range from mild facial twitching to full-body convulsions (grand mal seizures). Causes of seizures in cats include epilepsy, diseases or tumors that affect the brain, and toxins.

Is my cat sick enough to go to the vet?

Knowing what is normal for your cat is the first step to recognizing when something is wrong.

Inability to urinate, constant vomiting, unresponsiveness, seizures or difficulty breathing are all emergency situations that require immediate veterinary attention.

If you notice any changes in your cat’s usual behavior or any of the signs we’ve discussed, contact your vet to schedule an appointment – they’ll be able to advise you on how soon you should take them in based on the severity and duration of the changes.

There are some simple things you can check at home.

• Has your cat’s urine changed color?

• Is your cat urinating more or less than usual?

• Is your cat’s stool a normal color (not dark red with blood or bright red)?

• Is your cat’s stool hard?

• Do your cat’s eyes look sunken?

• Do your cat’s gums feel sticky?

• Does your cat’s skin fall back quickly after being gently lifted?

Cats are good at hiding signs of illness, but if you know what is normal for your cat, you can recognize any changes early and take action sooner to help your feline family member.

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