When a cat is sick, it is important to know what kind of illness they have. There are many different kinds of cats, so there may be a specific type that is sick.
Some cats may be more sensitive to the environment than others. If your cat has a sensitive personality, they may feel isolated and bad when they are sick. Making sure your home is warm and populated makes them feel better? Ergo, keep an eye out!
Sometimes sickness is contagious. If your cat gets sick at another house’s home, then the other cats at that home will have to be checked out. Keeping an eye out for symptoms in the case of sickness can save you from having to go into crisis mode.
This article will talk about some ways to know if your cat is sick.
Check temperature
When your cat is sick, check its temperature. A normal cat can usually read body temperature in a few minutes, depending on how high it is.
Some cats seem to need a little more time to get hot. Some feline illnesses like upper respiratory disease or infections may be worse in the warm environment of the stomach and intestines.
Knowing your cat’s temperature can help determine if it is sick. A normal cat should be warm to the touch and have a clear liquid discharge.
Some illnesses may cause one or more of these signs: cool skin, dry skin, layering up with warmth or wetening of coat, reluctance to engage in usual behaviors such as eating or sleeping, or change in appetite or behavior.
Knowing if your cat is sick may help you decide whether to take them home or give them treatment at a veterinary hospital.
Feel their coat
If your cat is sick, she should be feeling cold and/or wearing a coat. If she is not, she should be warm enough to be in clothing.
The way you know if your cat is sick is by how they feel. Does he or she seem down or unhappy? Does he or she not like being alone?
These are signs that your cat may be sick. Weighing about 10 to 15 pounds? A smaller, lighter weight cat would probably feel more like the 10-15 pounderbk rather than the 15-25 pounder.
Weight isn’t the only factor when choosing a catsrchsr. Some prefer the heat of a catschs vs the cool of a snowfall.
Take their pulse
Your cat should have a pulse at least once per day. If your cat is lying unconscious or isn’t moving or crying, then they are sick.
They can be hiding in a dark place, so it is important to keep a watchful eye. Make sure to use a reputable heart rate monitor to know if your cat has a strong heartbeat.
Some cats don’t have a pulse because of disease or structural problems. If this happens, you must find another home for your kitty. It is very hard to watch someone else care for your sickly self, so you may want to look for a new home.
You can check the pulse by putting one hand on the top of the cat’s spine and the other on the bottom. If one hand feels warm and dry, then the other must be cold and wet.
Ask your veterinarian for advice
When your cat is sick, you should ask the vet for advice.
Rule out natural symptoms
Prior to ruling out any other causes, you should first rule out the possibility that your cat is sick due to a underlying medical condition.
This means doing a comprehensive veterinary checkup for your pet. Even if your cat does not have a medical condition, you can still determine if they are underweight, have a lack of energy or interest in food, and/or signs of discomfort.
If your cat has no obvious signs of illness, it is recommended to get at least one annual checkup to be sure. Most cats age gracefully and well with yearly checkups as long as you do them often!
Does your cat show any behavior changes that may be abnormal? These may be signs of illness or injury such as avoiding socialization or strange animals or people they know, hiding when they are hurt, becoming extremely selective about what foods they eat, or showing symptoms of pain.
Know the common cat diseases
There are a few common diseases that cats can get, including asthma. Asthma in cats is usually not hard enough to notice.
Unfortunately, there are a few diseases that are very serious for cats. These include kidney failure, diet-related issues such as an advanced stage of food intolerance, and bone disease like osteomas or breakouts on the skeleton.
Knowing whether your cat has one of these serious diseases is important so you can take steps to keep your cat healthy.
However, even if your cat does not have one of these diseases, knowing whether your kitty is sick can prevent them from being sick and/or expensively diagnose and treat themselves.
If your cat has an illness that is suspicious for disease, getting them into a vet as soon as possible is the best idea.
Recognize the early signs of disease
Early signs of disease are usually described as cold, cough, or Spring-like behaviors. These symptoms should be treated immediately to prevent further illness.
The earlier your cat is the worse the disease, the more urgent the care. For example, if your cat has a cough every day for a week, then stays awake during daytime naps and becomes increasingly reluctant to get up and explore, then you should seek veterinary care for them.
You can recognize whether your cat is sick by looking at them. If their face is pale and they are staying awake more often, then they are probably sick. If they are more comfortable lying down or getting up with some walking involved, then they are better healthy.
If these signs do not seem to change with health, then it is recommended that you get them checked out as soon as possible.
Make an appointment with your vet
If your cat is sick, the sooner you get to the vet the better. This is an important part of having a healthy pet. Visiting a veterinarian for cat care is referred to as a wellness visit, and it’s a good way to check in with your cat about how she’s feeling and if she needs any medical treatment.
The sooner your cat is treated the better, the more money you save in the long run because of increased safety and quality of your pet’s care. Most vet hospitals have an online appointment system or phone app that makes it easy to make an appointment.
When visiting the vet, be prepared for various treatments including: medication, surgery, radiographs, ointments and drops, home remedies and countermeasures, Chi-Rho breath strips, etc. Your pet may be admitted or transferred to a different room depending on what symptoms they have.
Be aware of your surroundings and let the doctor know if anything changes anything at all.
