How To Judge If Your Cat Is Ill?

Have you ever found yourself worrying about your cat’s health? If so, you should learn how to tell when your cat is sick and in need of a vet. Cats are confusing pets when it comes to identifying health problems. They are good at hiding their diseases, so you may find it difficult to know when their behavior changes. They have developed instincts to help them protect themselves from predators or other cats. House cats have the same ability to avoid vulnerability, even if they don’t have any threat nearby.  

Another reason why cats hide their illness and pain is the lack of emotional relationships. They don’t develop any connection with their discomfort. In fact, they consider illness and pain as the new normal and adopt them in their life. This technique helps them to move on and cope under critical situations. However, when they get extremely sick, you can identify their symptoms.

But, by the time you notice that something is wrong with your feline, their condition may have become worse. The best way to identify if something is going on with your cat is by observing the behavior. You must observe their body language and how they react in normal conditions. Is your cat acting weird lately? Then you should learn about what is normal and what isn’t. Never neglect the signs of your cat’s illness. If you are doubtful, immediately contact your vet. This article includes some obvious signs to judge if your cat is ill. So grab your catpad and start writing down the following signs:

Behavior to Notice When Your Cat is Sick

Here are some silent signs that you will notice when your cat is sick:

1.Drinking like a Fish

Usually, cats don’t drink a copious amount of water in one instant. If your cat quickly finishes up a bowl full of water, they are trying to hide that they’re ill. Also, if you notice that your cat is consistently lapping water from the toilet and faucets, something fishy is going on. Simply put, if your cat is consuming more water than normal, they might have an endocrine disorder. Some examples of endocrine disorder are diabetes and hyperthyroid. In this case, contact your vet without a second thought and discuss their excessive water intake. 

2.Runny Eyes and Nose

Sneezing is common in cats, but if you also notice nasal discharge, coughing, sniffles, and fever, they are not doing well. These symptoms indicate various diseases, including feline upper respiratory disorder. This disease is similar to the common cold in humans. On the other hand, if they are excessively tearing with clear discharge, they have a clogged tear duct. Also, you may find the same symptoms in other eye irritation disorders. Yellow or green discharge is a sign of a bacterial or viral infection. When you visit your vet, they will prescribe pills for the treatment. You need to learn the right technique to give a pill to your sick cat because it won’t be an easy task for new owners.

3.Avoiding Favorite Food

Does your cat also feel excited when you bring home their favorite food, but you noticed that their excitement level has changed? If so, they may be dealing with a health problem and aren’t being vocal about it. A decrease in appetite indicates various underlying conditions such as cancer, infection, or maybe their choppers are irritating them. Cats suffer from a wide variety of dental problems, including stomatitis, periodontitis, and gingivitis. These conditions can spread infections to the tooth roots. Also, they might be suffering from fractured teeth and dental tartar.

4.Getting More Vocal

When your cat is more vocal than usual, it’s likely that they are experiencing pain. If she is meowing for more than 24 to 36 hours, they could be sick. Vocalization is a response when a cat is in danger, especially when they are in pain. But, it also indicates numerous other diseases. Remember, purring isn’t always a sign of health; sometimes cats purr because they want to speak out about their illness.

5.Acting Phlegmatic

Cats love toys, especially the ones suitable for scratching, such as cat trees with scratching posts. But, if they don’t show interest lately, take note. Notice their response around their favorite toys. If they are less active than normal, this could mean that they are not in a mood to play. While this is a vague sign as it can mean plenty of stuff, don’t brush it off. It’s possible that they are less active because of an endocrine disorder, an infection, or a serious condition such as cancer. 

Conclusion

Cats are surprisingly good at hiding their illness, pain, and discomfort. They will act normally because of their instincts. The signs may not be visible until the condition gets severe. That’s why you need to observe your cat’s behavior and visit a professional vet if you notice a slight change. As we discussed above, here are some ways you can judge if your cat is ill:

• When your feline is excessively drinking water
• When they have runny noses and eyes
  
• When they avoid their favorite food
  
• When your cat is purring more than they normally do
  
• When the pet is less energetic
  

Even if you didn’t find any sign that your pet is ill or sick, you need to take them to the vet for a regular checkup. The vet will diagnose them for any underlying conditions. Furthermore, they will help you prevent intestinal parasites, fleas, and other parasites. A professional vet will also educate you about keeping your cat healthy and creating a safe and healthy environment.