While your cat can communicate if it’s happy or not, it’s harder for them to tell you if their health is poor. Here's some tips that could help...
Cats are lovely creatures that make great pets. Some are friendly and affectionate, while others are aloof and independent. One thing all cats have in common, however, is the way they communicate.
Body language, verbal cues, behaviour, and appearance are some of the ways we can understand these animals, although it can still be difficult to judge whether your cat is happy and healthy. Let’s take a closer look at some other signs that will help us determine your cat’s health.
1. Coat
A soft, shiny coat of fur is found on healthy cats, whereas flaky skin and dull fur indicates that something is wrong. There could be an underlying illness or wound, or your cat could be feeling stressed. It is normal for cats to lose fur during seasonal changes, but unexpected hair loss can be an indicator of something more serious. A way to tell if your cat is suddenly shedding excessive amounts of fur is to see whether he or she is producing hairballs or vomiting more frequently since cats groom themselves very regularly.
2. Eyes, ears and mouth
A healthy cat’s eyes should be bright, clear and alert. Discharge from the eyes may be an indicator of inferior health. A cat whose health is doing well will have ears that are clean and free of discharge, with no odour or redness. Their mouth should smell fresh, and be without sores or growths around the mouth and lips.
CareVets recommend checking your cat’s mouth, eyes and ears regularly. Watch for loose teeth, redness, swelling, or discharges.
3. Digestion
It may be tricky to assess digestion if your cat is free-roaming. However, a good indicator of something being amiss is if your cat is avoiding, or straining to pass, urine or faeces. If your cat is not eating or drinking, especially for a prolonged period of time, it may require an immediate trip to the vet.
You can tell a lot from a cat’s digestion, and a positive sign is if their stools are firm and small. This means that good nutrition is having a beneficial effect inside your cat, and less food is passing through as waste.
Keeping an eye on your cat and watching out for the signs above may set your mind at ease, or indicate that it’s time for a trip to the vet. A healthy cat is a happy cat, and a happy cat is a happy owner!
