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.

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Posted by mamas boy on August 29,2010 at 02:32 AM
i just saw m y cat rubbing her bottom on the carpit anf floor wondering is it the same sign as a dog when they rub there bottom in shor could it be worms the litter is clean and changed reg..... if so what can i do as i love all 3 of my kittes
Posted by irene on July 17,2010 at 02:06 PM
my 8 1/2 year old cat is shedding a lot. she is a short-hair calico. Her diet is great and her bowel movements are great. So why does she shed so much?
Posted by Carolina on July 21,2010 at 06:24 PM
all cats shed its normal. Unless your cat is a sphynx I wouldn't worry to much about it. Or unless there are little bald spots. Then call your vet.
Posted by Justin on July 17,2010 at 11:24 AM
I have a couple cats that urinate on the bed once in a while. But they also use the litter box too. The litter box is emptied daily and changed with new litter every week, usually before trash day. What could be wrong with them?
Posted by john on July 03,2010 at 11:13 PM
we have a little kitten we are watching, who is 4 weeks old, and has gone limp and has tummy problems we think from the formula. she is Not moving, limp when picked up, only responds when you push on her tummy. Her tummy is obviously in pain. Laying with eyes open but not looking at anything. She threw up a bit
Posted by Carol on July 24,2010 at 09:44 PM
Take the kitten to the immediately,,, do not wait another day or hour!
Posted by JACK on May 27,2010 at 09:14 PM
My friends cat who is less rhan a year old is diebetic, gets shots for it. He all of a sudden has been vomiting> what can. she do to care for him until she takes him Vet
Posted by beverly on May 21,2010 at 10:03 PM
I HAVE AN ADULT MALE CAT. HE IS ITCHING AND SCRATCHING. NO FLEAS. WHAT CAN I DO TO RELEIVE THE ICTCHING. I HAVE BEEN GIVING HIM 1/2 CC OF LIQUID CHILDERNS BENEDRYL ONCE A DAY.
Posted by oaula on May 05,2010 at 06:28 PM
my cat is 5years old and i had her fixed now that the heat in here she seems to be very slow and she sometimes spits up blood it re and no musus in it i am on a fixed income and s till very worried about her she seem ok when it was cool and i have a fan circulating the air but she still does not look good please let me know what to do
Posted by Laura on April 19,2010 at 12:08 AM
I have 4 baby smokey gray tabby cats, 101g, 180g, 300g, & 320g. 2-3wks old. I've tried taking the bigger kitten out for a while. Right now I've been giving the two little ones 1-2dropers of cat milk ever 2hrs. Am I giving them them the amount they need?
Posted by Helene Jones on April 18,2010 at 12:00 AM
My cat is bleeding from her nostril. Only on one side. What are chances this could be a foreign body opposed to a tumor. Her eye on that side is tearing also. The vet wants to do a Cat Scan or scope her but this would be very expensive. Are there other alternatives. She has been taking antibiotics but to no avail.
Posted by lisa on April 04,2010 at 09:23 PM
my son found a cat in the creek today . It appears it is real old or starved,it's really weak and my big concern is it is jaundice,it's gums and what part of skin i could see is yellow.Could this be danerous for my kids health or my other pets? what do i do it's so very sad!
Posted by Eve on March 29,2010 at 07:21 PM
Looking for answer besides Vet,my little kitten of 11 weeks has a sneezing problem how can I help him
Posted by Julie on March 24,2010 at 08:57 PM
Hi my cat has something in his eye. It looks like a clear worm but it doesn't move. Could it be a type of worm or Conjunctivitis?
Posted by Ronia on March 24,2010 at 06:27 PM
I have tried to get my cat off of dry food and strictly onto a good quality wet food. My concerns are too many fillers in dry food and potentially making my cat into a diabetic. During this period of switching she has decreassed passing feces from every other day to once per week. Any advice on this?
Posted by Marisa Torino on March 26,2010 at 10:25 AM
Getting your cat off dry is the best thing you can do. I just switched my 15 year old cat to all wet. The first week was hard as she kept looking for her kibble. She had eaten wet at dinner for most of her life but I always had a feeder of dry out all the time. I took away her dry completely – they can smell it so remove it. If they get hungry enough they will eat what is there – but I am soft heart so the fist few days I put a few kernels of her dry kibble on top of her plate of wet – that tempted her. I also sprinkled a bit of cat nip on top as well – both those tricks worked. I tried a few brands – Evo, Merrick, Natures Variety – which are all very good, most all grain free. My cat has kidney issues so I had to look for low protein and phosphorus levels which I found in Weruva . She is eating 2-3 cans a day and LOVING it and does not miss her kibble AT ALL. I also serve her the raw patties from Natures Variety. I mix a bit up in her Weruva. I have never seen her enjoy her food so much. It has been 3 weeks now since our transition and I have noticed a tremendous change in her coat, her behavior and overall appearance. She does not drink water as much either – which I have investigated and learned that when you switch your pets to all wet this is completely normal and healthy as they get most of their moisture from their food so don’t be alarmed. I hope my tips help. Good luck!
Posted by broncofan07 on March 17,2010 at 04:18 PM
My vet gave me Metacam to give to my 15 yr old cat for arthritis in her paw. In January I went back for a refill – I have already use 2 bottles worth by this time – and she said she needed to do blood work because it sometimes damages the kidneys. Her kidneys were a Level 1 – but she said not to worry. I did not take the refill but the vet had given her some steroid shot for the swelling at that time. My cat was diagnosed with extra skeletal osteosarcoma and during the surgery to remove the lump she said her blood work showed her kidney damage to be a level 3. She said it was her food and I needed to switch to Science Diet kd immediately to prevent further damage. My cats diet consisted of Blue Buffalo Indoor (dry) and Wellness (wet). I was shocked that her food did this until I started reading about kidney damage and read about Metacam. I have switched my cat to a wet food diet. I have been giving her the raw patties mixed with Instinct Wet. I now have learned that I do need to lower the protein and phosphorus levels in her food. I am going to switch to a grain free wet food (Weruva). I am shocked to learn the though my vet I have killed my cat. Since the switch to wet – only a week now – I have notice that she is drinking less water than usual. She still is playful and runs around the house. Her urine seems to clump in a ball as opposed to a semi sticky pie as it was getting to be. But – she has lost weight as this food is new to her and she was a little reluctant. She is growing more accustom to her new eating habits. I HOPE and pray that I have enough time to prevent further damage. I am feeling l and scrounging for help. Any suggestions to help or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.
Posted by Annette on March 14,2010 at 02:32 PM
My 10 yearold cat has scabby spots the size of zits on her back. They come and go, but don't seem to bother her. they feel gross. no loss of hair. Any ideas out there?
Posted by brenda house on January 28,2010 at 04:04 PM
My cat is 10 years 5 months and ate very good up until this week then she started eating less food and has vomited twice but last time I tried her with new food and she ate it really fast and never digested it before it was up apart from that she has her tail in the air and cold nose and so no other symptons of sickness well want eat 5 minuites after tell this evening but her nose cold and she don't seem sick should i call the vet tomorrow and get her checked out I am so worried she is my baby i love her dearly.
Posted by Desiree Nichols on January 20,2010 at 12:03 AM
We have two cats both are up to date on shots and have been fixed (both males) and they each have been sneezing alot eating still but not as much as usual. our favorite vet is out of country for two weeks and are not fond of others in his office do you have any suggestions of is it okay to wait for dr to come back home?
Posted by Sherry on November 05,2009 at 05:17 PM
My 17 yr old son brought a sweet kitten home today and it appears that it has one snotty looking eye. I would describe it as a really bad case of pink eye. Can I purchase something over the counter for it?
Posted by christine on August 03,2009 at 11:58 AM
my cat hair is sheading real bad and his hair is coming out in spots what can I DO TO HELP HIM
Posted by craig connelly on July 23,2009 at 05:27 PM
My cat has not had any shots or been spaded or neautered she's in heat and some how she got away from home for about 3 weeks I found her but she is acting really strange now she's not using her liter box I don't see any stool or urine her claws and wiskers are really long and she has scratched herself really bad what can I do ?
Posted by MONICAk on October 13,2009 at 09:06 PM
take her to the vet! also, get her spayed, this avoids MANY things. Usually they go crazy if they don't have litter, (personal expierance!) Hope it helps!
Posted by Laraine on July 20,2009 at 12:06 AM
hoarse, weak, crackly meow?
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