Cat mas12/3/2023 If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.Cats turn anything into toys, even Christmas ornaments. Normally quiet cats with an increase in vocalizations, or a usually chatty kitty which suddenly becomes quiet, might mean trouble.Īny of the above changes, whether slow or quick, should be a reason to take your cat (or dog) to your vet to investigate the cause and find a treatment as soon as possible. Voice changes can actually indicate a problem. Be objective and thorough when describing any potential changes to your veterinarian. Changes in the environment your pet lives in, like the addition of another pet, remodeling or loud noises can all cause hiding, depression or a lack of appetite. If your kitty is up all night roaming the house, vocalizing, or seems overactive during the day, there might be an underlying cause.Ī change in your cat’s routine may be a sign of stress. If your cat seems to sleep all day when he used to be active, he may be trying to tell you he doesn't feel well. If your kitty seems less than enthusiastic about moving around or playing, it may indicate arthritis or other issues. Skin parasites, like fleas or mange, or even stress can cause this behavior.Ī sudden increase in activity level in a middle-aged to older kitty can indicate an overactive thyroid. Some cats over-groom and end up with bald patches. Lack of grooming can cause a dull or greasy hair coat, which can indicate skin disease or other problems. A classic sign of illness is hiding: kitty feels bad, tries to hide from “predators” and hides in a closet or under a bed. If your normally social kitty suddenly becomes antisocial, there may be a medical reason. Obesity by itself is detrimental to your pet’s health: it can lead to arthritis, tumors and a shorter lifespan. Weight gain or a growing belly can be related to various conditions such as pyometra (a uterus full of pus). Weight loss can be an indication of thyroid disease or worse, cancer. Discuss your pet’s symptoms with your veterinarian to rule out a bladder infection or urinary blockage before treating this as a behavior issue. Imagine if you went 5, 10 or 15 years without brushing your teeth! In addition, breath that smells like ammonia can be a sign of kidney disease.Ĭauses of this annoying habit can be behavioral or indicate a disease. Brushing your cat’s teeth is a good way to decrease those risks. This typically starts with blood work, X-rays and/or ultrasound.Ī foul odor coming from your kitty’s mouth can mean gum disease or tooth decay. You veterinarian’s job will be to investigate why. There are countless diseases that can cause overeating or losing one’s appetite. If you notice a change either way, you should notify your veterinarian. Let’s go over 10 common signs of illness in cats – although many of them also apply to dogs.Įating too much or too little can potentially signify disease. Remember, when animals act sick in the wild, they get eaten. Why is it so tough to identify those signs? Possibly because cats have kept the ability to hide signs so well, that they sometimes go unnoticed. No, I’m talking about good, concerned, caring owners who just didn’t or couldn’t notice very early or subtle hints that something was brewing inside. In both cases, the first signs of sickness were noticed just 2 days before the surgery occurred!Īnd I’m not referring to neglectful owners. And Paula, a 12 year old cat, had a kiwi-sized cancerous tumor along her small intestine. It was easily the size of both your fists, putting pressure on all of his belly organs. Paris, a 6 year old kitty, had a gigantic (benign) cyst on his liver. It just happened twice in the last couple of weeks. It’s always shocking to me when I see an extremely sick cat, while the owner has not noticed any overt signs of illness. Find him online at He is the co-author of “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” ( Katie Kegerise, a Certified Veterinary Technician in Reading, PA, contributed to this article Phil Zeltzman is a mobile, board-certified surgeon in Allentown, PA.
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