Several Classic Cat Health Warning Signs | Cats

By KurtSchmitt
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Feline illness symptoms often overlap, just as in humans, and it's often hard to really know your cat's level of wellness. The various cat health problems your cat may face are many and varied, and some can have subtle signs. Since your cat can't tell you how she's feeling, you'll have to be observant.

Generally speaking, your cat is at higher risk for developing an illness if she has been stressed in some way. Those stresses may come from other pre-existing health problems, or a life change of some kind. Examples of this might include recent injury or immune disease, or a recent surgery. Life changing events may also include the addition or removal of a family member or other pet, or perhaps you've recently moved.

Cats can catch a cold or the flu, or develop any number of feline specific problems, such as cat parasites. She can also be affected by heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Some of these cat health issues will require treatment.

If you suspect that your cat is not well, it's best to call your veterinarian as soon as possible for a phone consultation. If things seem to get worse, then both you and your vet will be better prepared to handle the situation later. Below are some issues to be alert for.

General signs -- Your cat may exhibit some of the same signs that you'd expect to see in people if she has the flu, a cold, injury, or infection. General symptoms of cat illness include sneezing, coughing, lethargy, and nasal discharge. Your cat may experience excessive drooling if she has an infection or the flu, and may also have a fever.

Some more serious indications of feline illnesses are signs of pain, excessive vomiting, evidence of worms, or blood in the vomit. If your cat experiences any of the following, contact your veterinarian immediately: fainting or falling down, difficulty breathing, walking, or jumping. In addition, rapid weight gain or loss, or a bloated belly are also points of concern.

Behavior patterns -- If your cat exhibits a dramatic change in routine or behavior, she may be ill. Changes in sleeping habits may be a sign of trouble. In addition, excessive licking, scratching, or unusual showings of aggression may be signs that something is amiss. If your normally social kitty hides in a corner for a long period, that may also mean that something is not right.

Eating and drinking -- Loss of appetite is very common in sick cats, as many animals will refuse to eat when they're not feeling right. Also on this list would be difficulty in chewing or eating. Failure to drink or excessive drinking are indicators as well. Dehrydation, which can be life threatening, results from failure to drink. Refusal to drink while leaning over the drinking bowl is a definite sign of a problem, and increased thirst is a symptom of a number of diseases, including diabetes.

In order to stay alert to cat health problems, you'll want to be alert to your cat's typical patterns of behavior. This includes habits related to sleeping, eating, drinking, using the litter box, and levels of activity. If you see a change, keep a closer eye on your cat to see if there's a problem. Remember that cats are very good at hiding discomfort, so you'll have to be very observant.

Checking your cat regularly will help you work with your veterinarian to keep on top of any cat health problems that may crop up. A good time to check your cat over from head to tail is during weekly (or more often) grooming sessions. That way you can get a feel for your cat's flexibility, and how she reacts to being touched.

About the Author

Kurt Schmitt has put together a 150 plus page cat lover resource. Once there, you'll find many articles on cat health problems , as well as cat care information, and funny cat pictures too.

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