Cat Health

Your cat health information resource

While you should always trust your veterinarian to diagnose specific cat health problems, there are easy steps you can take to keep tabs on your pet's vitality. Watching your pet's body condition and learning to spot the early warning signs of trouble are two basic ways you can help make sure your cat enjoys a long, healthy, active life.

Monitor Your Cat's Overall Health

Broadly speaking, there are five aspects of your cat's bodily condition that you should watch: its weight, its digestive health, its coat and skin, its gums and teeth, and its bones and joints. An unhealthy body weight or breakdowns in any of the other areas can signal underlying conditions or oncoming problems.

Cat body types can fall in one of three categories: thin, fit and overweight. If you can see your cat's ribs, it's undernourished and you should enrich its diet. Your cat is fit if it has an hourglass-type body shape and you can feel its ribs but can't see them. If your cat's waistline is not visible beneath layers of fat and you're unable to feel its ribs, it's overweight and needs more exercise and restrictions on its caloric intake.

While it may not be the most pleasant task imaginable, you can keep an eye on your cat's digestive health by observing its stool output. If your pet puts out small, firm solid waste, its digestive tract is in good shape. If not, your cat isn't absorbing food nutrients and may be at risk of becoming anemic.

At all times, your cat's coat should be smooth, glossy and well-groomed, with no missing patches of fur, odor or discoloration. The skin should be free of dandruff, with high elasticity. Seek cat health advice from a professional if you notice skin or coat problems.

Cat dental care is extremely important. If it has weakened gums and teeth, your cat won't be able to eat properly and thus won't be able to get the nutrients it needs for good health. You may not realize it, but many cat health problems begin with deteriorating dental health. Take your cat in for a checkup if you notice swollen gums or signs of plaque buildup or tooth decay. Your vet can also provide you with breed-specific cat health information, since some cat breeds are more prone to gingivitis and gum disease than others.

Calcium, phosphorus and protein are essential to ensuring your cat has strong bones and joints. Good hydration is also key. If you notice your cat has a limited range of motion, improper posture or has a declining interest in play or exercise, its joints or bones may not be in optimal shape. If you have a specific cat health question about your pet's joints or bones, ask your vet.

Common Symptoms of Cat Health Problems

Generally speaking, cats are curious, enjoy interacting with their environments and always pay close attention to grooming. If you notice any sudden personality changes, be on the lookout for these common warning signs of potential health problems:

• Hiding, especially for 24 consecutive hours or more
• Decreased appetite
• Dried fur or loss of coat gloss
• Empty, disinterested eyes
• Prolonged episodes of yelping or strained meowing
• Resists being picked up or petted
• Drinks too little or too much water
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody urine
• Refusal to use litter box
• Chewing or scratching of coat, skin or extremities

Of course, cat health advice should always come from a qualified professional. If you ever have any concerns about your cats behavior or overall well-being, discuss the situation with your vet or bring your cat in for a checkup.