Check out my new Ecard shop. No sign up with dozens of cat and kitten cards to send
Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery
The Cats and Kittens of CatNews.org
CatNews.org - HOME
Take me back to the front page
How to Know If Your Cat's Not Feeling Well
View PDF | Print View
by: Russell
Total views: 153
Word Count: 578
You may find it difficult to identify how well your kitty is feeling. And unfortunately, she can't speak to you in specific terms to tell you. So it will be up to you to recognize behavioral changes or irregularities in routine so you can diagnose symptoms of kitty illness
I suggest you take great care in following and understanding your kitty's normal routines. This includes level of activity, food habits and potty habits. Remember that cat's often exhibit very subtle changes in their behavior when they don't feel well.
It's important to pay close attention to any changes in your cat's behavior and even take notes on the changes in behavior or habits.
Gathering more information about your cat's symptoms can also help the veterinarian know where to start when working on a diagnosis for the feline illness. Sometimes the diagnosis for cat health problems is determined quickly, but other times it can be complicated and any additional information from you can be helpful.
The more quickly you realize there may be something wrong the better. Starting treatment quickly can cut down on additional problems and provide a better success rate. Plus your kitty will start feeling better sooner.
Another good reason to act fast is because certain feline illnesses can contribute to cat behavior problems like urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. This behavior can become an unpleasant cycle of problems so avoiding this behavior when at all possible is of course best for both you and your feline friend.
How do you know if your cat has a cat health problem?
Sometimes it's more obvious than others, but as discussed earlier changes in your cat's normal behavior can be a good clue that something is wrong. There are also some specific symptoms to watch for:
- Constipation (including lack of feces in the litter box)
- Diarrhea
- Urinating or defecating outside of the litter box
- Straining in the litter box
- Changes in appetite
- Increased thirst
- Changes in energy level
- Change in weight
- Vomiting (other than hairballs)
- Excessive scratching
- Depression or lethargy
These are just a few possible symptoms, but anything out of the ordinary should be monitored and discussed with your veterinarian. Never try to self-diagnose a feline illness -- diagnosing needs to be done by your veterinarian.
Many cat health problems may be subtle and yet difficult and could require multiple lab tests conducted by professional lab technicians.
Prevention is the best medicine. Of course it's not possible to completely prevent feline illness but you can at least help reduce the chances of your cat contracting a feline illness.
Too many casual pet owners do not seriously consider the nutrition of their precious little friend. They assume they can just buy what's on the shelf of their local grocery store and call it a day.
In the long run feeding your cat a good quality cat food can actually save you money and headache.
Another way to cut the risk of feline illness is by keeping your cat inside. Indoor cats are less likely to contract a feline illness because they aren't as exposed to carriers of feline diseases or parasites.
And of course... never skimp on your routine visits to the vet.
About the Author
Joy dearly loves her kitties and she pays great attention to her understanding of their behavior and well-being. Please visit her site Cat Illness so she can share with you all she knows about matters like animal health insurance.
Rating: Not yet rated