As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything is well with your cat. Cats don’t speak, they cannot tell you if something is wrong with them, therefore you must be aware. Below you will find a list of the five top indicators of poor cat health.
Monitor behaviour
Over time you get to know the character of your cat and should be able to spot if they suddenly begin acting differently. So if your cat suddenly becomes withdrawn where it is usually quite sociable, this is a good sign that something could be wrong. Or maybe a usually quiet cat becomes quite vocal.
Weight loss
A cat losing weight swiftly, or over a longer period of time both suggest health problems. Although weight loss can be a symptom of various illnesses, it may be that liver problems are the cause and this needs addressing quickly.
If whilst grooming your cat you come across one or several lumps you must have it examined by a vet. Smaller lumps often indicate ticks on cats, whilst larger lumps could be something more serious, such as cancer. A patchy or matted coat on your cat can also indicate that it has underlying health problems.
Toilet behaviour
If your good toilet trained cat suddenly begins urinating throughout the house this could be the sign that it has feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This is a painful inflammation that if not dealt with can cause death. The main indication that your car is suffering from FLUTD is if it is constantly licking its genitals.
Other visual indicators
As well as those that we have already addressed, there are a few other visual indicators to look out for. A sinus infection or cold is often the problem if your cat looks as though it is crying. Both ailments can also be accompanied by excessive nose discharge. The presence of dark brown wax is also another indicator of bad cat health. If you spot any of the signs listed in this article then it is important to contact your vet and seek their advice or arrange a visit.