Discussions

A healthy cat can be described as having bright shiny eyes, a healthy shiny hair coat, a good appetite, able to maintain their body weight, intermittently playful and generally seems happy'. However, cats are not always healthy and when they are not, are often very good at hiding their illness just by their nature of survival. They want to appear healthy so they are less vulnerable to predators.  
Common non-specific signs of illness in a cat :  
* lack of appetite..if you feed your cat dry food only, try a small amount of canned food in addition to their dry food.  
* less active...cats that don't feel well are often less active. This is often mistaken for 'getting older', if your cat is less active, the safest thing to do is to have your vet examine for underlying health issues.  
* lethargy..is a general lack of interest in the environment. It is a very common sign of illness depending on the severity.  
* weight loss....losing weight is a common sign of illness. If your cat feels bonier, lighter or you can easily feel the ribs you should seek vet care.  
* not grooming....cats that don't feel well don't groom, sometimes this is the first sign that a cat is not feeling well.  
* bad breath...may be a symptom underlying illness.  
* sleeping more...depending on age and personality of the cat...don't assume it is just age.  
* less involved in socila interaction with you or your other cats...cats that don't feel well, don't tend to play or be social.  
* vomiting...is a common sign of illness. If this occurs once a week or less frequently it is generally not a problem. However on a regular basis accompanied with weight loss is a possible indication of illness.  
* difficulty breathing... this is a very severe sign of illness. Immediate vet care is required.  
* diarrhea....lose stools can be caused by dietary reasons, allergies.  
* bloody urine...this can be a sign of urinary tract disease or infection. It can be associated with urinating outsdie of the box. Immediate vet care is required.  
Initial signs and symptoms of cat illness can be subtle. Advanced symptoms are generally more obvious.