Cats are easy to take care of and friendly as they showcase positive human vibes. But, there are some problems that cats face and cannot express their emotions. Pet owners cannot figure out something odd in their pet’s behaviour and focus on the visual aspect to conclude that nothing’s wrong. But, the reality will surprise many of you! Let’s get into how to tell if your cat is sick with simple signs and symptoms and even its causes.
Distinctive Characteristics of Cats:
If you think about their evolutionary biology, dogs are pack animals and therefore, when they do not feel well, they act unusually. As a result, their pack mates take care of them. Unlike dogs who try to give behavioural cues of feeling sick and tired, Cats are more inclined to be reserved on this subject.
Cats are categorically different from dogs because, evolutionarily, they are not used to relying on anyone when they are vulnerable. They won’t let you gauge that they are feeling unwell. Moreover, Cats won’t expect any help from other cats as well. So, as a pet owner, you may have a hard time gauging the fact that something’s off with your little one.
How to Tell If Your Cat is Sick?
Ever wondered is my cat sick? There are many general but subtle signs that you must carefully look out for to perceive that your pet is in some trouble. You can predict it from your cat sleeping positions when sick. Well, the most obvious signs and symptoms of lethargy in cats.
#1 Inappropriate Elimination of Basic Things
One of the most evident signs of sickness that your pet may show includes the process of inappropriate elimination of the necessary things used ordinarily by your pet. For Example- If your cat is habitual to using the litter box and suddenly starts to poop or pee on the floor, something’s wrong. Yes, the Kittie is not being mean, but it is sick. Consult the VET if you encounter such a situation of inappropriate elimination.
#2 Hiding away at Inaccessible Places
Hiding is a less obvious but common sign of sick cat body language. Cats hide when they fall ill. The indoor cats will try to hang out under the couch or somewhere they usually avoid going. It can be hard to gauge if something’s odd unless you have a strong track over your cat’s movements. You won’t notice that the kittie is hiding more than an outdoor cat. Hiding away is the natural response to illness.
#3 Increased Aggression
It is the most easily noticeable indicator of illness that a cat shows. If your cat gets kind of snappy and acts out displays mean behaviour, the chances are that the cat is experiencing some unusual pain and discomfort. The different factors such as toothache, sore joints, sore back etc., can make your little friend more cranky and strange. Maybe there’s a source of pain that needs attention at the earliest. So consult the VET immediately.
#4 Poor Appetite or Anorexia
The loss of appetite or Anorexia is a self-explanatory situation. Kittens will lose their appetite and stop eating when they fall sick. Anorexia is the most common feature of many cat illnesses and is worth looking out for in your lovely pet. You may not notice that your cat is not visiting the feeding station, particularly when you own many kitties. Take note of your cat’s feeding habits regularly and find a reasonable solution to any unusual problem.
#5 Vomiting
If you find your cat suddenly lethargic and weak, the Unconventional vomiting over a while is also a crucial indicator of illnesses. If your pet vomits once or twice a year, this is an ordinary situation. However, the scenario is troublesome when your kitty pukes more than once a day multiple times over the week. There are types of cat vomit, it includes food intolerance and inflammatory bowel infections, are trivial and curable. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the VET at the earliest.
#6 Strong Yowling
While talking about how to tell if your cat is sick? Yowling comes first. Yes, Felines are vocal animals and use their vocal instincts to communicate with each other and humans. But, sometimes, they will yowl, which is like a protracted annoying meow.
They make such a sound when they feel uncomfortable and experience some pain or discomfort. It can also possibly mean that they feel constipated. If your kitty starts to vocalize loudly and insistently, there are high chances that something is substantially different and needs immediate attention.
Causes of Illness in Cats
Various factors deteriorate your lovely friend’s health and well being. The most common causes responsible for making your pets sick include:
Cat Colds or Respiratory Infections
Kitties, just like humans, are prone to infections caused by different viruses and bacteria affecting your cat’s respiratory tract leading to contagious cat colds. This infection is highly transmissible due to which other cats can contract the disease by sharing food water or by coughing and sneezing.
Feline Leukaemia
It is a disease caused by a virus that is responsible for cancer in cats. This disease spreads through the exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine or even lactation during pregnancy. The virus contracts and makes the immune system of our cats ineffective. Due to reduced immunity levels, the risks of other complications increases.
Diabetes
The risk of diabetes is becoming more prevalent than ever, even in cats. There is an imbalance in insulin production concerning glucose and blood sugar levels. If a kitty is diabetic, it is at a greater risk of various nerve disorders that can eventually shorten its lifespan.
How to Prevent Illness in Cats?
It is a wise saying that prevention is better than cure. While we must provide good care and quality of life to our lovely companions. However, it is essential to take necessary measures that prevent them from these complications. These preventive measures include:
Schedule VET visits regularly
It is necessary to take your cats to the VET for regular checkups. A VET can identify the problems affecting the little one and advise the best possible remedy to eliminate the problem. It is essential to schedule appointments to the VET every three months or twice every six months at the least.
Vaccination against serious infections
Along with regular check-ups, the kitty should receive the desired vaccinations to reduce the risks of deadly diseases. One cannot afford to ignore the importance of cat vaccination against infections.
Focus on Good Diet
You must make sure that your little friend is getting the most nutritious meals with clean drinking water available every time. A good diet alongside a healthy eating pattern will automatically deter various diseases and build strong immunity against such infections. Moreover the diet you should have a clear idea about what to feed a sick cat that won’t eat, always go with nutritious grain free cat food which filled with lots of protein in it.
Identify the Symptoms of Illness
It is crucial to identify the different sick cat symptoms. Taking note of the complications at an early stage will reduce the expense and alleviate the quality of life of our lovely kitties.
Conclusion
As a responsible cat owner, it is essential to take note of the different cues how to know if your cat is sick. Since our feline friends cannot communicate their feelings verbally, it is necessary to look out for these subtle signs of discomfort to provide them with the best remedy and quality care.