How Can I Tell if my Cat is Sick?

Cats come in all shapes and personalities. Some are energetic, playful, and loving, while others are lazy, grumpy, and aloof. However, one thing most cats share is their reluctance to complain. They don’t often whine about every little ache or pain. While this can be a positive trait, it can also make it difficult to tell when your cat is feeling unwell. Many pet owners wonder, “If she doesn’t complain, how can I tell if my cat is sick?”

This is an important question to address because by the time a cat shows obvious symptoms, such as not eating or vomiting, she may have been sick for a while.

The best thing you can do is get to know your cat. Learn her normal eating and sleeping habits and pay attention to her behavior. Also, observe the condition of her coat—its density, color, and sheen. When you’re familiar with how your cat behaves when she’s healthy, it will be much easier to notice when something is off.

There are many signs you can look for to assess your cat’s health. Below are some indicators that something may be wrong:

Common Signs That Your Cat May Be Sick

Hair Loss
June Rauch was brushing her cat one night when she noticed a large bald spot on one of the rear legs. Around the bald spot, there appeared to be black dirt. Wherever this black substance was visible, the hair could be easily removed. As she continued to remove hair, more black dirt appeared. When she contacted her vet, she was told it could be an infection caused by fleas, a virus, or something more serious, like pancreatic cancer. June was confident it wasn’t fleas, as there were no signs of flea activity.

After visiting the vet, they ran tests for the more serious possibilities and gave her cat a long-lasting shot of antibiotics while they awaited results. The vet explained that if the hair loss was due to a virus, the shot would resolve it in a few days.

Fortunately, the antibiotics took care of the problem. However, June might not have noticed the hair loss had she not taken the time to brush her cat that evening.

Hair loss is not normal, and it doesn’t happen without a reason. As June learned, the cause of hair loss could be quite serious, so take the time to regularly inspect your cat’s coat.

Gums
It may not be easy to get a good look inside your cat’s mouth, but doing so can provide valuable clues about various health issues.

When Ken Smith’s cat stopped eating, he initially thought she was grieving the loss of her sister, who had passed away suddenly. He assumed she would start eating again soon. Then, while she was yawning, Ken noticed her gums were yellow. He rushed her to the vet the next day, and it turned out she had liver disease, which was on the verge of turning into liver failure. Ken opted for an expensive surgery that ultimately saved his cat’s life. If he hadn’t noticed her yellow gums and taken action, she likely wouldn’t have survived.

Yellow gums are a sign of jaundice, which can indicate a liver problem. Gums can also offer clues to other health issues.

A bluish tint may suggest your cat isn’t getting enough oxygen, and very white gums—rather than the normal pink—could indicate anemia.

It’s important to note that some cats develop freckles or other discoloration on their gums as they age. Still, anything out of the ordinary should be checked by a vet as soon as possible. The only way to know what’s normal for your cat is to familiarize yourself with the appearance of her gums.

Eyes
Just like the color of the gums, the appearance of your cat’s eyes can provide clues to various health issues. To recognize when something’s wrong, you need to know what’s normal for your cat’s eyes.

The whites of a cat’s eyes should be white. Look for any discoloration, including bloodshot areas or patches of color. These could be signs that something is amiss.

Other eye abnormalities to watch for include swollen, pink areas around the eyes, changes in eye color, a cloudy film over the pupils, or pupils that look different from one another. All of these could indicate a serious health issue.

Other Signs
Other visible signs that might signal trouble include changes in the sheen or density of the coat, discoloration around the ears, and sneezing or coughing. Additionally, if your cat becomes lethargic, refuses to eat or drink, or shows changes in her litter box habits, these could also be indicators of a health problem.

In conclusion, there are many ways to answer the question, “How can I tell if my cat is sick?” Knowing what’s normal for your cat is key. Every cat is different, but getting to know YOUR cat will help you notice when something isn’t right.

When you do notice a problem, don’t wait for it to resolve on its own. Instead, contact your vet to determine whether the symptoms are serious enough to warrant an office visit.

By paying attention to your cat and giving her a thorough check-up once a month, you’ll be better equipped to catch any health problems early, giving her the best chance for a full recovery.