How To Know If My Cat Is Sick? 12 Signs To Look For!

Cats can be sick due to many reasons. However, figuring out whether the cat is ill or not can be a difficult thing for new cat owners.

Although cats cannot talk, you will see certain changes in their behavior and everyday routine. Cats often try to hide their sickness, and if they can’t do so, they try to hide themselves. So, by the time owners realize that their cat is sick, it has gone very ill.

Therefore, you should always observe any significant changes in your cat’s behavior as a minor issue can become fatal due to a careless attitude.

If you’re a new cat owner and want to know about any signs that could indicate your cat is sick, the following points can be beneficial for you. They contain some useful tips as well, which can save your cat by discovering the root cause of the sickness.

Some Signs That Indicate Your Cat Is Sick

Many signs are noticeable for the owners whenever the cat is feeling sick. Whenever you notice such a change, you should immediately take action and take it to the vet. Most of the time, when you come to know that your cat is sick, you’ve been too late.

Knowing that the cat is sick is very difficult and often noticed late.

Here are the most common signs that indicate that your cat is sick.

Coughing:

Coughing is a sign of many illnesses, including respiratory infections, heart disease, allergies, hairballs, tumors, etc. It can also be a cause of some contagious diseases.

So, if your cat is coughing for more than a day, you should take it to the vet. If you suddenly see it coughing and having breathing issues, immediately seek medical help.

Changes in diet:

The sickness of the cat can result in either increased or decreased appetite.

Although the loss of appetite is common in cats, it is not something you should ignore. If the cat is only missing meals but otherwise eating normally, you should have a close look as it may be a sign of an upcoming disease. However, if the cat entirely stops eating, it is something to be worried about.

So, immediately take it to the vet as it can become fatal.

On the other hand, an increase in appetite is also not a good sign, especially in older cats. It may be a sign of hypothyroidism. So, it would help if you took it to the vet to diagnose the exact illness.

Also, increased appetite in younger cats can lead to obesity, which should not be ignored.

Increased vocalization:

Increased vocalization is a sign that your cat is sick or in pain. As it cannot communicate directly with you, it will keep meowing to let you know that something is wrong. So, if you see that your cat is continuously roaring, you should immediately check for any sign of sickness or injury.

However, in some cases, increased vocalization means that your cat is just bored. In case of suddenly increased vocalization, we can suspect that something is wrong.

Skin problems:

Skin related diseases are somehow noticeable unless your cat does not keep itself hidden under the bed all day. If you see that your cat’s skin is itchy, irritated, or you notice redness, it means that your cat is suffering from a skin allergy.

Often, sudden hair loss is also a sign of skin problems or parasite attack. So, never leave your cat to suffer in such uncomfortable situations. It’s better to take it to the vet and get a complete check-up.

Increased thirst and urination:

Increased thirst and urination often indicate a problem with the cats’ kidneys or urinary tract. Underlying UTI infections should never be ignored. Some cat owners say that they’ve never seen their cat drink water. So, if you notice your cat is drinking water more often, you should consult a vet.

Also, if you see inappropriate urination, change in the quantity of urine, or blood in your cat’s urine, immediately consult a vet. Sometimes, male cats feel difficulty in urinating, which is a medical emergency.

Vomiting:

Some people might think that it’s okay for the cat to vomit after a few days. However, it is not true.

If your cat vomits soon after a meal, it is a sign of poisoning as well as other digestive problems. If your cat continues to vomit for a few hours, immediately take it to the vet.

Lethargy:

Lethargy can be a sign of many diseases. When the body is not functioning properly, or the cat is suffering from a disease, its energy levels will go down. If you see your cat is continuously lying down and has lower energy levels, you should get it checked by a vet.

Behavior change:

When suffering from a disease, you might see that your cat is hiding itself a lot. It will be lying at a corner in a hunched position.

On the other hand, some cats want more attention when sick. They start howling and biting for their owners to notice. It depends on the behavior of the cat. So, any change in the behavior of the cat should not be ignored. You might also feel that your cat is aggressive when sick.

Some diseases such as hyperthyroidism affect the cat’s energy levels, and it will feel restless, especially at night. This disease burns up the energy quickly leading to weight loss.

Discharge from nose or eyes:

This condition can be a cause of any respiratory infection. It is contagious and can also spread to other cats in the house. The cat may feel discomfort and stop eating. Your vet can recommend medications for this problem.

Trouble jumping:

If your cat is suffering from joint pain or arthritis, you will see that it walks with difficulty. Also, it will face trouble jumping on the couch or sofa.

Although it will normally be eating, the joint problems can cause a lot of pain. So, take a visit to the vet as soon as possible.

Bad breath and pale gums:

Bad breath is due to dental problems. You should seek medical care as soon as possible because the cat might stop eating due to tooth pain. Also, the bacteria in the mouth will pass to the stomach after eating foods.

Also, very pale gums indicate anemia and poor blood circulation. You will even notice redness around the gum line, and in severe cases, the gums start bleeding. It is always a better idea to visit the vet as soon as possible in such conditions.

Diarrhea and constipation:

Diarrhea and constipation are common in cats, and they might be due to food sensitivities, food poisoning, or other diseases related to the digestive system. So, you should examine your cats’ litterbox to make sure that it is defecating properly.

Final Thoughts:

Several signs indicate that your cat is sick. Lethargy and change in behavior are some of the easily noticeable signs. However, you should never let your cat suffer even if you notice a slight indication of sickness as carelessness can lead to severe health problems that might become difficult to treat.

As soon as you suspect your cat is sick, immediately take it to the vet for a proper check-up.