Pet Health

Recognizing early signs of illness in cats

Signs of illness in case of cats can be very subtle, if your cat does not seem right to you, don't wait long and make an appointment for a veterinary examination as soon as possible.

This is when you must consult the Vet for your cat's health

Cats usually have a tendency of hiding their sickness and pain, pretending to behave all is fine because way back, how cats have been this has been a technique of saving themselves from larger predators who would make them easy targets if weakness was out there in the open. Which means for us at cat parents, the first signs of ‘something not right' would be when the cat is quiet and keeping away. But it means your cat could be sick before you figure out.

It is thus most recommended to have frequent wellness examinations for your cats, for the Veterinarian to be able to see some subtle signs or diagnose a concern that may take long for you to notice.

Generally advised frequency of wellness checkups would depend on the age and health factors (which may vary from cat to cat, so please consult with your vet) is as follows:

0-6 months: Every 1-2 months
7months to 2 years: Every 6 months
3-6 years: Yearly
7-10 years: Yearly
11-14 years: Twice yearly
15 years+ : Twice yearly

The above are ideal if no specific health conditions exist, but we still recommend you to check with your vet given your cat's health.

Just to help you know, keep an eye on these in general

Cats that are ill will usually show changes in overall appearance, energy level, sociability, coat appearance and/or amount of shedding, appetite, litterbox usage, breathing, or discharges from the eyes or nose.

Some things that might be easy for you to notice as a cat parent, as early signs

You'll figure the disinterest in your cat's behaviour, a sudden change or slow down. Instantly inform the veterinarian and book yourself an appointment for a check-up or a telehealth. The cat might sit in a hunched position, might not move as gracefully as before, might not lift its head properly, or might carry its tail in a different way than normal. Might not really be any one in particular but a couple of combined symptoms.

Another evident change if your cat isn't keeping well could be sudden weight loss, which is a sign. More so if your cat has been healthy, you will notice it easily. If you notice in your cat a sudden loss of appetite/less water intake/dehydration that could also imply medical care is needed. Do be cognizant, in case you feel a difference in the way the cat feels, when you actually run your hands along the ribs and spine, if you feel weakness/less cuddly, do discuss with your vet. Don't wait too long! But if you're regular with wellness examinations of your cat, situations like these could be well avoided. A happy cat is a happy pet parent!