Prevention is
always better than cure and your cat’s health and well being is
no exception! You should check your cat carefully and
systematically for possible early signs of illness every
month. Some cats are very good at hiding ill health or
pain, so you need to be vigilant.
Health check list
Body condition - You
need to become familiar with your cat's body condition.
When you run your hands over your cat, you should be able
to feel and sometimes see their ribs relatively easily,
with only a slight covering of fat. There should be a
well-defined hourglass waist when viewed from above and a
very slight belly should be visible. Performing regular
body checks on your cat, will enable you to notice any
changes that may occur over time and warn you to
possible weight loss or gain, which can sometimes indicate
underlying health problems.
Ears - Your cat’s ears should always
be clean and without any thick brown or green waxy
discharge. There should also be no redness, itchiness or
offensive smells. For thinly-haired cats or those with
white-tipped ears, consider using sunscreen lotion to
prevent sunburn. The ear is a very delicate and sensitive
area and as the eardrum can be easily perforated it is
never recommended to probe with cotton buds into the ear
canal. If your cat starts to hold his head to one side,
rubs one side of his face along the carpet/grass or is
always shaking his head, we recommend you take him to your
vet for a thorough ear exam
Eyes - Eyes should be bright and
clear, with no signs of runniness, redness or soreness.
Your cat should not squint or shy away from light and
if you notice him bumping into objects all of a sudden, we
recommend you take him to your vet.
Nose - Your cat's nose is usually soft
and damp to the touch. There should be no crusting on the
surface of a healthy nose, nor should there be any runny or
thickened discharges or bleeding. If you do notice any
discharge or sneezing, it is definitely worth taking
him to the vet as cats are susceptible to flu.
Mouth - Bad breath is not just a
cosmetic or social problem though we all know cats with bad
breath can be less than pleasant company. Bad breath can
also indicate an underlying digestive or kidney problem.
More commonly it is an indication of bacterial
overgrowth/plaque on the teeth/gums, which can lead to
tooth decay and this in turn can potentially lead to organ
problems if left untreated. Teeth should be white/cream
with no excess tartar, which looks thick and brown. The
gums should be a healthy pink or black and not red, swollen
or bleeding. Look out for dropping food, reluctance to eat,
excess salivation, clawing at the mouth or bad breath as a
sign of mouth problems. You should always ask your vet to
check your cat’s teeth every time you visit and ideally get
your cat used to having his teeth brushed twice a day with
special cat toothpaste.
Skin & Coat - Your cat’s skin can
be pink or black depending on the pigments common to that
breed or the individual genetic history. It should be free
of crusting, itching, scaling, black/white spots, infection
or hot and inflamed areas. The coat should be thick
(depending on breed) and shiny with no broken hairs, bald
patches, dandruff or fleas. Hair can be shed all year
round, but it's normally worse in summer and autumn - so it
is good to get your cat into the habit of regular grooming
from an early age.
Nails - These should be smooth and can
either be white or black. Nails that are roughened and
flake or break easily may require veterinary attention.
When checking your cat’s nails, squeeze gently on the pads
to allow the nails to emerge for proper exam and don’t
forget to check their dew-claws. These are not always
present, but can be found on the inside of the leg just
above the paw. Some cats have them on the front legs only,
some have them front and back, and some don't have any at
all!
Digestion - Cats tend to be relatively
fussy eaters and this is related to the difficulty they
experience when it comes to vomiting. Cats can vomit, but
it requires a tremendous amount of whole body effort and
consequently they are normally very careful about what they
consume. Occasional regurgitation of food and vomiting of
hairballs can be normal, but generally there should be no
vomiting, reluctance to eat or difficulty experienced when
eating food. Do keep an eye on your cat’s appetite and
always know what you and what everyone else in the family
may be feeding! Make any dietary changes a gradual process,
normally over the course of 7-10 days. Stools should be a
consistent brown colour of solid texture, without any
straining, blood or mucus (clear jelly) passed.
Thirst - Healthy cats eating dry or
wet food often don't appear to drink that much and often
like to drink from unusual sources such as dripping taps.
Outdoor cats will often find a source of water outside of
the home, but regardless of whether your cat is an indoor
or outdoor cat, ALWAYS have a large bowl of fresh, clean
water available. If your cat suddenly becomes very thirsty
or starts drinking more than usual without excessive
exercise, it can indicate an underlying medical problem and
we would recommend you consult your vet.
Attitude - Your cat’s general attitude
to life can tell you a lot! If you notice your cat sleeping
more than usual, or if he seems quieter and less playful
than usual, it can mean your cat is feeling under the
weather. Poorly cats can also shy away from human contact,
start urinating in unusual locations or sometimes appear
unusually aggressive for no apparent reason. Keep a close
eye on things as cats are experts at hiding illness and if
you're worried at all, always ask your vet for advice.
