How to tell if your cat is sick
Just like humans, cats can of course also get sick. Unlike us, however, they are not able to communicate when they are not feeling well.
It’s therefore important for you as a cat owner to know how you can tell if your cat is ill. After all, timely treatment is often critical to the chances of recovery.
To help you, we have summarised below some common symptoms and signs of possible cat illnesses We also explain when you should visit a vet with your sick cat and how you can strengthen your cat's immune system naturally.
Typical symptoms that indicate a sick cat
If a cat is sick, this is noticeable by a variety of symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be quite unspecific, so that it is not always easy to deduce a specific disease from the symptoms.
The following symptoms are a sure sign that your cat is ill:
- Changes in food intake
- Digestive disorders
- Problems with the skin and coat
- Behavioural problems
- Bad breath
- Respiratory problems
- Fever
Changes in food intake
If you notice any changes in your pet's food intake, this may in many cases indicate that your cat is ill. Perhaps your pet has lost its appetite and is losing weight or your cat is eating more than usual.
The latter could be a symptom of diabetes, for example, while lack of appetite and weight loss could be a sign of chronic bowel inflammation or pancreatitis, among other things.
Basically, it is not unusual for your cat to eat exactly the same amount of food every day. However, if the changes persist over several days, a visit to the vet is advisable.
Digestive problems in sick cats
Digestive problems are probably one of the most common complaints a sick cat has to deal with. The possible symptoms range from vomiting and diarrhoea to constipation or even a complete lack of defecation.
If a cat has diarrhoea, this can indicate a number of diseases. In many cases an infestation with intestinal parasites such as worms or giardia in cats is responsible for this. But it may also be due to a food allergy or problems with the thyroid gland.
Similarly, if your cat vomits frequently or suffers from severe flatulence, it could be due to an allergic reaction to food or problems with the thyroid gland. Again, the cat is likely to be ill without the exact cause being apparent at first glance.
Our tip for cats with digestive problems
To counteract the digestive problems in your cat, we recommend a natural food supplement with Shiimun Gastro. The easily digestible preparation on shiitake basis contains selected herbal ingredients which calm the digestive tract and in many cases can significantly alleviate existing complaints.
However, if your cat's digestive problems persist for several days, you should always consult a vet. On the one hand, the cause can be a serious illness and on the other hand, your four-legged friend's body dries out increasingly through diarrhoea and vomiting.
Skin and coat problems in sick cats
A healthy cat has a dense, shiny coat and an inconspicuous skin. If this is not the case, your cat is probably ill or suffering from some other problem that you need to correct.
Cats with hair loss can suffer from metabolic diseases, hormonal imbalances or autoimmune diseases, for example. Itching, on the other hand, is often a sign of an infestation with ectoparasites such as fleas, an infection with skin fungus or an allergy.
In addition, however, simple nutritional deficiencies can also cause your cat to lose hair or have a noticeably dull coat. In this case you should reconsider your choice of food and, if necessary, change to a good cat food, such as the products from I love my cat.
Natural support for the skin and coat
In addition to a high-quality food, it can be useful to support your cat with a suitable food supplement. One product with which skin and coat problems can be counteracted very reliably is Shiimun Skin with shiitake, beer yeast and other natural ingredients.
Nevertheless, you should take complaints like itching and hair loss seriously. After all, your cat may be seriously ill or urgently need a remedy against parasites. So don't hesitate to visit a vet if you need to. This is especially true if you notice other possible symptoms of illness in your pet.
Behavioural problems in sick cats
In addition to obvious physical complaints such as digestive problems or hair loss, behavioural changes may also indicate that your cat is ill.
Basically, you can assume that your cat spends around 16 hours a day sleeping, depending on her age. This is not unusual at first. However, if your pet suddenly sleeps considerably more, this can be a warning signal.
This also applies to other behavioural problems such as excessive shyness, anxiety or aggression. If you notice something like this in your cat, a visit to the vet is often advisable.
Sick cats often have bad breath
Bad breath is another sign that your cat could be sick. As with the other symptoms, there are many possible causes of bad breath.
In some cases, a simple look in the mouth can reveal the cause. This is because cats with tartar and other dental problems almost always have bad breath.
If you do not notice anything unusual about your four-legged friend's teeth, the type of mouth odour can be an indication. For example, if your breath smells like urine, this could be due to kidney failure. A fruity-sweet breath, on the other hand, can indicate diabetes, while a fishy smell usually indicates diseases of the digestive tract or liver.
If the sick cat cannot breathe properly
A healthy cat breathes about 30 times in one minute. In a relaxed state, the breathing rate may slow down and, during physical exertion, it may temporarily accelerate.
However, if your cat is breathing remarkably quickly, this may be an indication of health problems. This also applies to breathing with an open mouth as well as particularly shallow breathing by the four-legged friend.
Problems with breathing can be a sign of heart disease, lung disease or pain, for example. If this is the case, you should have a vet check if your cat is sick.
Fever is a symptom of many diseases in cats
The normal body temperature of your quadruped moves in a range from 38 to 39 degrees. With a rectal measurement you can check whether the temperature is elevated. Please note that there is a danger to the life of your sick cat from 41.5 degrees.
If your cat has a fever, this can be caused by many different diseases. Possible triggers include cat rhinitis, FIP, anaplasmosis, feline plague or even chronic inflammation.
You can get additional information about the possible cause of the fever by looking at other symptoms that occur in your quadruped together with the increased body temperature. However, only a vet can tell you what your cat is actually suffering from.
Signs of a sick cat - our conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of different symptoms that indicate that your cat is ill. Even if there is not necessarily a serious illness behind the symptoms, you should keep a close eye on your pet in everyday life.
After all, your cat may well be seriously ill and a full recovery is only possible with rapid treatment.
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