It is important that all cat owners take the health of their cat seriously. Cats cannot tell you if something is wrong with them, therefore you must be aware. Looking out for the five main signs of poor cat health will go a long way to achieving this.

Watch Their Behaviour

You know your own cat and should be able to notice if they begin acting a little differently. A big sign that they are not feeling good is if a usually playful cat suddenly becomes withdrawn. Other telltale signs can be if they are meowing more than usual, or whining during the night.

Weight Loss

Gradual and sudden weight loss are both symptoms that your cat’s health is not as it should be. Whilst it could indicate one of several illnesses, it is often a sign of liver problems.

Coat and Skin

In the event that you find one of more lumps on your cat’s skin you should have a vet take a look immediately. Smaller lumps often indicate ticks on cats, whilst larger lumps could be something more serious, such as cancer. A patchy or matted coat on your cat can also indicate that it has underlying health problems.

Toilet Habits

If your well toilet trained cat suddenly begins urinating throughout the house this could be the sign that it has feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This is a painful inflammation that if not dealt with can cause death. If you notice that your cat is constantly licking its genitals then this can be a sign of FLUTD.

Other Visual Indicators

As well as those that we have already addressed, there are a few other visual indicators to look out for. A sinus infection or cold is often the problem if your cat looks as though it is crying. These two conditions can also lead to excessive nose discharge. A build up of dark brown ear wax can also indicate cat health is not as it should be. In the event that you notice any of the signs listed here it is vital that you arrange a visit with a vet rather than trying to diagnose yourself.