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There are signs when your cat is sick

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Cats aren't always obvious about being sick, which is one of the reasons our medical team at the shelter keeps a daily log of every cat's food intake and litterbox use. While these copious notes would be overkill in your own home, it's the fastest way for our medical team to learn a cat might not be feeling well. With your own cat, you are likely to notice big changes, like excessive vomiting, but smaller ones might go unnoticed until your cat is extremely sick. Here are some common signs that your feline friend may be feeling ill.

Change in appetite

If you have more than one cat in your home, a change in one cat's appetite may not be as noticeable as if you had one cat. You may, however, notice that one cat never goes to the food bowl or you're filling the dish more or less frequently. Remember that a change in appetite doesn't always mean your cat is eating less; suddenly eating more can also be a sign of illness.

Litterbox Issues

Is your cat suddenly going to the bathroom outside the litterbox? An underlying illness, like a bladder infection, may be to blame. Another sign that your pet may be ill is increased urination, which may indicate diabetes or kidney failure.

Activity Change

Cats spend a lot of time sleeping, but a sick cat may sleep more than usual. Look for changes in your cat's normal routine. If your cat used to be active during the day but is now sleeping constantly, there may be an underlying reason. The opposite holds true, as well - your cat may have slept peacefully when he felt well but now wanders the house, unable to settle down.

Being Too Friendly or Aloof

Shortly before my cat Raspberry passed away from heart failure, I noticed she had becoming increasingly affectionate. She was a very friendly and loving cat in general, but this level of affection was completely different. She was desperate to be in my arms. A cat that becomes overly clingy or aloof out of the blue may actually be sick.

Change in Appearance

At the shelter, we weigh all the cats regularly to monitor any weight loss or excessive gain, both of which can indicate health problems. In your own home, it's unlikely you'll be weighing your cat on a routine basis. Unless the weight change is dramatic, it can be hard to tell your cat has gained or lost a pound or two. You may be able to feel a difference, however, if your once chubby cat suddenly feels bonier. An easier visual cue that your cat may not be feeling well is a change in their coat. Cats that are ill can abandon regularly grooming, making their goat like greasy. Other cats will over groom, leaving them with bald patches.

Bad Breath

Bad breath isn't just offensive; it can also mean your cat has an underlying health issue. Aside from indicating dental problems, bad breath can also be linked to diabetes and kidney disease.

Cats are able to hide signs of illness very well. So well, in fact, that your cat may be sick for a long time before you even notice a problem. Keeping an eye out for subtle changes in behavior can help you notice a problem before it becomes a bigger issue. If you think your pet's behavior has changed, contact your veterinarian. It's better to address a potential problem early than wait until it becomes a serious health issue.


Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, a cat, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.

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