When Amy Hall noticed that her cat was eating less and sleeping more than usual, she attributed the changes to nothing more than a mood swing. Eventually, the cat stopped eating altogether. She gave it a couple of days and, because she had experience caring for a sick cat, thought she’d be able to nurse her pet back to health.
After her cat had not eaten anything for nearly a week, Amy finally brought the cat to the vet. It turned out that the cat had an obstruction in her digestive tract that was preventing her from eating. Luckily, Amy got her cat to the vet in time, but waiting much longer could have led to a very different outcome.
What to Do When Your Cat is Sick
When humans or some animals, such as dogs, don’t eat for a week or even longer, their bodies will certainly feel it, but can usually handle it. Cats cannot. If a cat stops eating for any reason, her body cannot handle it, and the situation can quickly lead to liver problems that can be life-threatening.
Because cats are not, by nature, complainers, by the time your cat is displaying noticeable symptoms that something is wrong, it’s likely the problem has existed for a while.
The first rule when caring for a sick cat is to take it to the vet as soon as possible when something is not quite right. It is better to pay for an office visit and be on the safe side than to wait and end up with huge vet bills or, much worse, the loss of your beloved pet.
If your cat has diarrhea or is vomiting but the symptoms resolve after one day, a vet visit may not be necessary. Just be sure to observe your cat carefully. If the symptoms last longer than 24 hours or if they go away and then return, you should take your cat to the vet.
Many pet owners find themselves caring for a sick cat. These owners have taken their cat to the vet, had the problem diagnosed, and received instructions on giving medications and scheduling follow-up visits. While having a sick cat is never fun, there are several things you can do to make your pet more comfortable.
Making Your Sick Cat Comfortable
If you have other pets, try to isolate your sick cat from them, if possible. You could set up a special spot for your cat in a room that isn’t used often. For example, one pet owner installed a locking dog door on the door to a spare bedroom. Jean Rhodes’ cat was suffering from liver failure, and the recovery process, which included feeding the cat through a tube, would be lengthy. To make her cat as comfortable as possible, she placed the cat’s food and bedding in the spare room. She could lock the dog door to prevent the other animals from pestering her cat while she was at work, but then unlock it at night in case the cat wanted to come out and be with the family.
In addition to separating your cat from other pets, which is especially important if your cat has stitches or bandages, it’s also a good idea to limit the contact that small children have with the sick cat. Little children’s hugs can be quite rough, so always be present when they interact with the sick cat.
Providing comfortable bedding is another way to make your cat more comfortable. Be sure to keep the bedding clean and check it daily to ensure your cat hasn’t soiled it. Some cats will sleep in their litter box when they’re sick. To prevent this, consider setting up a cage (leave the door open so your cat can come and go) to provide a safe space where your cat can rest without needing to take refuge in the litter box.
If your cat must be confined to a cage, make sure there is enough bedding and check it daily for soiling. Keep the litter box very clean and wash the bedding at least twice a week.
You may have specific instructions from the vet about feeding your sick cat. If so, be sure to follow those directions to the letter. If not, avoid the temptation to give your cat “special” food while she’s recovering. Depending on the illness, she may require a bland diet or special food that is available by prescription only. If that’s the case, do not feed her anything other than those foods. Even if no special diet is required, stick to her normal diet and save special treats or changes in food for after she has fully recovered.
Depending on the illness, your cat may need to be cared for around the clock. If you are unable to provide this level of care, you may need to consider boarding your cat at an emergency pet hospital where constant care is available.
Caring for a sick cat is not one of the greatest joys of pet ownership, but it’s not as hard as you might think. Just keep in touch with your vet, inform them of any changes, follow their instructions carefully, and shower your cat with extra love and attention.
