Cats are intelligent creatures and try to hide any illnesses they might be suffering from. They take the pain in silence and ensure people or animals around don’t get to know about their vulnerabilities. It was an evolutionary instinct in wild cats that helped them survive in harsh living conditions.
Fast-forwarding to today, cat family members living in the wild still show inconspicuous behavior. On the other hand, millions of cats worldwide live as domestic pets in comfortable homes and may no longer need to conceal their health weaknesses.
Cat owners must be vigilant and notice even subtle changes in their feline pet’s behavior. It is an essential step to identify symptoms early and seek help from the vet experts, so illnesses and injuries don’t aggravate and lead to other health complications.
Pet insurance for cats can help you provide your precious superior health care at affordable costs. Cat insurance can lighten your expenses while delivering top-notch medical support in case of covered health conditions and pet emergencies. For now, we will assist you with information that helps you recognize a sick cat.
How to spot a sick cat?
By the time pet parents realize their cat is ill, the cat would have transitioned from a sick to a very sick state. Look for the below hints that apprise you of your kitty’s illness.
- Is your kitty not acting normal? Look for prolonged peculiar behaviors like sitting quietly in a corner, under the sofa, or on its bed in a hunched position.
- A kitty not paying attention to grooming and losing all cheer on its face tells something is not right.
- Incessant purring may be due to extreme pain that can often be confused with sounds made because of a happy state of mind.
- Sleeping with a raised head can be because of breathing difficulty or respiratory issues.
- If a kitty is head butting on walls and furniture, it is potentially because of intolerable headaches. Confusions, seizures, and headaches may point to neurological issues.
- Restricted body movements are a typical sign of bone and joint-related disorders. Whether a kitty is young or old, don’t ignore a cat that cannot move, play, or jump as it would normally.
- Is the kitty feeling itchy on specific areas of its body or constantly licking on some places. It can well be skin-related trouble.
- Observe the kitty’s coat. Is it too dry, flaky, lustreless, or is the kitty abruptly losing a lot of hair?
- Keep track of kitty’s bowel habits. Is the cat passing stools, how many times, hard or soft stools, stool color, etc. These characteristics give a picture of the kitty’s bowel health. It is a pet emergency when you see bloody stools, and contacting the nearest vet is inevitable.
- Vomits or puking hairballs may signify a gastrointestinal issue that needs to be corrected. Also, note the quantity (less/more) of hairballs in the vomit. Check if there are other symptoms like diarrhea or constipation. Rehydration becomes vital in such cases.
- Any changes in the kitty’s diet are a strong indicator of some plaguing illness. Not eating or completing the meals or not sipping enough water talks about the underlying discomfort kitty is experiencing.
- Breaking into a sweat more often, feeling fearful, and other noticeable behavioral changes need to be addressed.
- Changes in appetite and weight are a serious concern and require a quick consultation with the vet asap.
Cats usually don’t express their complaints, making it hard for cat parents to discern that their feline pets are suffering from ailments. However, pet owners can spot their furry friend’s uneasiness if they are mindful when engaging with pets.
Pet insurance for cats is essential for feline fur babies right from their kittenhood through to adulthood and old age. Purchase cat insurance to support them with the best medical care on all days as they deserve it.
