All conscientious pet owners want to take good care of the animals they adore, however its often challenging for cat owners to determine if their cherished pet is ailing. Stoic and independent, cats are elusive by nature and it's not easy to quickly evaluate if a cat is feeling good or under the weather. No doubt, every cat owner will be faced with a situation involving an ill animal and many pet parents are left to wonder if the situation is critical enough to rationalize a journey to the veterinarian's office. If illness is a prospect, you can find several areas to watch that can present an owner assistance to figure out if their cat needs to be seen by a vet.
Grooming and Appearance
Cats tend to be very neat and tidy animals, so the first place an owner should start is the cat's overall presentation. Clearly if an animal feels unwell and sluggish, standard grooming behaviors will be the first task to suffer. Following a simple checklist should provide a solid overall evaluation of the cat's overall appearance and state. First, how does the cat's coat look? Is its appearance consistent with the way in which it's typically kept? Second, is the cat's fur it's normal color? When a cat is feeling badly, some new dietary habits frequently lead to a difference in fur color. Finally, look at the cat's gum color. Normal gums ought to be a tone of pink, colors like white, grey, blue, yellow or brick can be indicative of sickness. Certainly, overall look ought to be the first sign that something may be wrong.
Behavior
As any cat owner can confirm, cats are animals of routine and often behave in very dependable ways, which is why behavior can be such a good signal of wellness. Normally there are two behavioral types that cat parents can observe for variations in their pet's behavior. A cat's daily routine is normally very regular, so a modification of that routine indicates a cause for concern. Changing locations from spending time in the more highly trafficked areas of a house to the basement is an ideal illustration of a change in routine that could indicate a problem. A change in the manner in which a cat holds itself is an additional behavioral sign that something might 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 owners grounds for concern.
Eating Habits
As all pet owners must feed their pets, a modification in a cat's eating habits is probably the easiest symptoms to see. While many changes can be attributed to routine like a seasonal shift or the use of a new pet food, pet owners must be attentive because of the seriousness of not eating or drinking. Lack of fluids and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur in under 24 hours, so it's critical to recognize dramatic dietary changes as quickly as possible; the problem may turn extremely serious in just a couple of hours. Consequently owners must be vigilant to identify if the failure to eat is just a routine circumstance or something more serious. As anyone can see a dramatic change in eating habits can signify a serious situation that needs 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.
Grooming and Appearance
Cats tend to be very neat and tidy animals, so the first place an owner should start is the cat's overall presentation. Clearly if an animal feels unwell and sluggish, standard grooming behaviors will be the first task to suffer. Following a simple checklist should provide a solid overall evaluation of the cat's overall appearance and state. First, how does the cat's coat look? Is its appearance consistent with the way in which it's typically kept? Second, is the cat's fur it's normal color? When a cat is feeling badly, some new dietary habits frequently lead to a difference in fur color. Finally, look at the cat's gum color. Normal gums ought to be a tone of pink, colors like white, grey, blue, yellow or brick can be indicative of sickness. Certainly, overall look ought to be the first sign that something may be wrong.
Behavior
As any cat owner can confirm, cats are animals of routine and often behave in very dependable ways, which is why behavior can be such a good signal of wellness. Normally there are two behavioral types that cat parents can observe for variations in their pet's behavior. A cat's daily routine is normally very regular, so a modification of that routine indicates a cause for concern. Changing locations from spending time in the more highly trafficked areas of a house to the basement is an ideal illustration of a change in routine that could indicate a problem. A change in the manner in which a cat holds itself is an additional behavioral sign that something might 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 owners grounds for concern.
Eating Habits
As all pet owners must feed their pets, a modification in a cat's eating habits is probably the easiest symptoms to see. While many changes can be attributed to routine like a seasonal shift or the use of a new pet food, pet owners must be attentive because of the seriousness of not eating or drinking. Lack of fluids and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur in under 24 hours, so it's critical to recognize dramatic dietary changes as quickly as possible; the problem may turn extremely serious in just a couple of hours. Consequently owners must be vigilant to identify if the failure to eat is just a routine circumstance or something more serious. As anyone can see a dramatic change in eating habits can signify a serious situation that needs 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 an obsessive cat owner that has lived through numerous feline emergencies with her curious Siamese cat Thurston and Mackerel Tabby Oscar. As a result, she's found cat insurance in limiting major vet bills and is an enthusiastic proponent of pet insurance for every owner.
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