All responsible pet owners want to take care of the animals they love, however its normally complicated for cat owners to figure out whether their cherished pet is sick. Stoic and independent, cats are elusive naturally and it's tricky to quickly detect whether a cat is feeling good or poorly. No doubt, just about every cat owner will be faced with a situation involving a sick animal and numerous pet parents are left to determine if the situation is dangerous enough to justify a journey to the veterinarian's office. If sickness is a likelihood, you can find several areas to monitor that can offer an owner advice to determine if their cat needs to be seen by a vet.
Physical Appearance
Cats usually are very clean and orderly animals, so the first place the owner should start is the cat's general appearance. Understandably if an animal feels sick and sluggish, normal grooming behaviors will be the first task to suffer. Following a basic checklist ought to provide a solid overall evaluation of the cat's overall look and state. First, how does the cat's fur look? Is its appearance similar to the way in which it's normally kept? Second, is the cat's fur it's usual color? When an animal is feeling badly, a change in dietary habits often lead to a difference in fur color. Lastly, look at the cat's gum color. Typical gums should be a shade of pink, colors like white, grey, blue, yellow or brick can be indicative of illness. Certainly, appearance ought to be the first sign that something may be wrong.
Habits
As any cat owner can confirm, cats are creatures of routine and often act in very consistent ways, which is why behavior can be such a good indicator of wellness. Normally there are two behavioral areas that cat parents can observe for differences in their pet's behavior. A cat's daily routine is normally consistent, so a change in that routine suggests a cause for concern. Shifting locations from spending time in the more highly trafficked areas of a house to the basement is an ideal example of a change in habit that could indicate a problem. A change in the way in which a cat carries itself is an additional behavioral sign that something may be wrong. Changes in activity level, slower movement, frequency of jumping and panting behaviors are also indicators that something isn't normal. Observing indications of altered behavior should give pet owners grounds for concern.
Eating Habits
As all pet owners must feed their pets, a modification in a cat's eating habits is among the easiest signs to see. Although some changes can be attributed to routine alterations like a seasonal shift or using new pet food, pet owners need to be vigilant due to the seriousness of not eating or drinking. Lack of fluids and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can happen in less than 24 hours, so it's vital to recognize big dietary changes as soon as possible; the problem may turn very serious in just a couple of hours. Therefore owners must be vigilant to identify whether the failure to eat is just a routine circumstance or something more serious. As anyone can see a dramatic change in eating habits can suggest a serious situation that requires a vet's immediate attention.
Waste Elimination
Alongside eating habits, monitoring the characteristics of a cat's urine and feces can be some of the easiest of signs for owners to look for, since a kitty litter box cleaning ought to be on every cat owner's regular to do list. Of course, an owner needs to look for changes that suggest an illness. Typical signs include: increased or decreased output of feces or urine; variations in stool consistency, blood in the litter or any other irregularities. For example, a lot of hair in the pet's stool can suggest a problem regarding hairballs, especially if related problems are observed like vomiting and a dry hacking cough, particularly after eating. Ultimately, monitoring the changes in a pet's excrement can provide significant clues to a current illness.
Determining whether a cat is ill and requires a visit to the local veterinarian can be tricky, but by checking these areas, owners will be able to quickly determine their pet's overall condition.
Physical Appearance
Cats usually are very clean and orderly animals, so the first place the owner should start is the cat's general appearance. Understandably if an animal feels sick and sluggish, normal grooming behaviors will be the first task to suffer. Following a basic checklist ought to provide a solid overall evaluation of the cat's overall look and state. First, how does the cat's fur look? Is its appearance similar to the way in which it's normally kept? Second, is the cat's fur it's usual color? When an animal is feeling badly, a change in dietary habits often lead to a difference in fur color. Lastly, look at the cat's gum color. Typical gums should be a shade of pink, colors like white, grey, blue, yellow or brick can be indicative of illness. Certainly, appearance ought to be the first sign that something may be wrong.
Habits
As any cat owner can confirm, cats are creatures of routine and often act in very consistent ways, which is why behavior can be such a good indicator of wellness. Normally there are two behavioral areas that cat parents can observe for differences in their pet's behavior. A cat's daily routine is normally consistent, so a change in that routine suggests a cause for concern. Shifting locations from spending time in the more highly trafficked areas of a house to the basement is an ideal example of a change in habit that could indicate a problem. A change in the way in which a cat carries itself is an additional behavioral sign that something may be wrong. Changes in activity level, slower movement, frequency of jumping and panting behaviors are also indicators that something isn't normal. Observing indications of altered behavior should give pet owners grounds for concern.
Eating Habits
As all pet owners must feed their pets, a modification in a cat's eating habits is among the easiest signs to see. Although some changes can be attributed to routine alterations like a seasonal shift or using new pet food, pet owners need to be vigilant due to the seriousness of not eating or drinking. Lack of fluids and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can happen in less than 24 hours, so it's vital to recognize big dietary changes as soon as possible; the problem may turn very serious in just a couple of hours. Therefore owners must be vigilant to identify whether the failure to eat is just a routine circumstance or something more serious. As anyone can see a dramatic change in eating habits can suggest a serious situation that requires a vet's immediate attention.
Waste Elimination
Alongside eating habits, monitoring the characteristics of a cat's urine and feces can be some of the easiest of signs for owners to look for, since a kitty litter box cleaning ought to be on every cat owner's regular to do list. Of course, an owner needs to look for changes that suggest an illness. Typical signs include: increased or decreased output of feces or urine; variations in stool consistency, blood in the litter or any other irregularities. For example, a lot of hair in the pet's stool can suggest a problem regarding hairballs, especially if related problems are observed like vomiting and a dry hacking cough, particularly after eating. Ultimately, monitoring the changes in a pet's excrement can provide significant clues to a current illness.
Determining whether a cat is ill and requires a visit to the local veterinarian can be tricky, but by checking these areas, owners will be able to quickly determine their pet's overall condition.
About the Author:
Regina T. Roby is a fanatical cat owner that has lived through many feline emergencies with her inquisitive Siamese cat Thurston and Mackerel Tabby Oscar. Consequently, she's found cat insurance in limiting major vet bills and is an avid proponent of pet insurance for every owner.
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