CATS FOREVER

1. Different behavior

One of the most apparent signs your cat may show you would be the change in its behavior. It will obviously be different from its playful nature. You would see it lazing around or lying quietly in the corner in a hunched posture. They may sulk around and refrain from playing or interacting. You might witness them purring more than usual. This is the sign they often show if they are happy but also when they are in pain or are feeling sick. If your cat is suffering from a breathing problem, then you might witness it keeping its head raised and refusing to lie down on its side. If your cat looks confused or has their head planted against the walls or the furniture, then this indicates some neurological problem with him. This is not similar to their act of rubbing their head or body against your legs. It will be them pressing their heads against a hard surface for some period of time.

2. Any changes in eating, drinking, urinating or defecating?

If your cat is feeling sick then it may refuse to eat sometimes. However, in some cases, they may adopt a bigger appetite as some diseases may make them want to consume more. So keep your eyes open for such changes. More urinating and an increase in thirst is the indication of some problem with the kidney or could even be a signal for diabetes. An increase in urinating with any sort of indication of pain (like meowing or straining) is a signal for some sort of blockage or urinary tract infection. Remember that this situation is often life-threatening, so make sure to rush them to a veterinarian in such a case.

3. Is it vomiting?

If your cat is throwing up its food soon after consuming it, remember that it can be an alarming situation. Vomiting may take place in a situation where your cat is suffering from either food poisoning or blockage. If it continues this behavior for a few hours and dragging it for a day, then know that there is some serious issue and you need to take it to a vet. If it feels weak and lazy after the series of vomiting, then too you need to visit a vet. If you are not sure about it, then do not take any chances and call your vet to clear up any doubt instead of waiting.

4. Is it suffering from constipation or diarrhea?

How will you know if your cat is suffering from constipation or diarrhea? Simple, if you see a difference in its diet or water, infections, poisoning or even intestinal parasites, then know these symptoms appear in the case of diarrhea. Other indications are blood diarrhea, diarrhea followed by vomiting or even watery diarrhea, and in such cases, you must get in contact with a vet. Constipation is something that could occur frequently. You might witness them straining a lot during defecating, whining or meowing while in the litter box, and pass only a little amount of feces which is hard at the same time or pass liquid feces. So make sure to keep a check on their litter box as well.

5. Coughing

Coughing can be a result of many situations. For e.g. allergies, hairballs, asthma, foreign bodies, tumor, lung disease, heart disease and some other illnesses. If your cat coughs for more than a day or is coughing over and over again with breathing problems, do not hesitate to rush it to the vet.

6. Are his gums bluish?

Another sign of illness that your cat may show is the off-color of its gums. Your cat is all right if their gums appear to be a pink color, and return to their original color within two seconds, even after you press your finger against it for some time. If the gums appear to be paler or do not return to their original color after pressing your fingers against it within 2 to 3 seconds, then know that this is a sign of poor circulation, anemia or even shock. In case if its gums are blue, then that is a life-threatening situation as it indicates the lack of oxygen. Red gums mean carbon mono-oxide poisoning or overheating, where yellow gums indicate jaundice. Blood clotting problem is shown by little red splotches. Remember that their gum or teeth problem may result in bad breath and pain, plus you will spot redness around the area.

7. Abnormal temperature

Make sure to take your cat's temperature frequently. Use a lubricated rectal thermometer and push it in the cat's rectum for about 1 to 1.5 inches. Let it be for about a minute and then have a look at the temperature after removing it. The normal cat temperature is known to be between 100 to 103 degrees. If it is above that range or lower than it, then it is time you reach out to your vet. But if the temperature reaches 105 degrees or drops down to 96 degrees, take your cat to a vet instantly, without any delays.

Read more about cat illness symptoms