Getting a cat is one of the most fulfilling decisions you can make. Your kitten will be part of your family for life, and their love should never have to suffer because something as simple changing behavior has happened!
If that’s the case with you too, we understand your situation.
To make things easier, we have listed the common symptoms of illnesses in cats.
If you notice any of them in your furry friend, take it to the vet as soon as possible!
Changes In Energy Level
As cats are active canines, a decline in their energy level can be the first symptom of a drastic health issue.
This change indicates many life-threatening diseases such as:
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Gastrointestinal issue
- Thyroid disease
- Rabies
- Arthritis
- Cardiac disease
Although cats sleep for roughly 16 hours a day, you can still notice the change in their energy level by keeping a close eye.
The same is for restlessness. Energy levels higher than usual can be a symptom of heart disease or hyperthyroidism.
If your feline friend keeps waking you up at night, it might be asking for help.
The sooner you take your cat to a vet, the sooner it can have a good night’s sleep again.
Changes In Appetite
An ill cat will either lose or gain its appetite.
Your furry friend may be suffering from an underlying disease if it’s not eating properly.
A loss of appetite indicates the following diseases:
- Kidney issues
- Cat flu
- Diabetes
- Fever
- Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes and hyperthyroidism can also make your cat hungrier than usual.
Also, don’t forget to check your cat’s water intake to avoid dehydration from these diseases.
When you start seeing any of these changes, take your kitty to a vet for a proper check-up.
Constipation or Diarrhea
While diarrhea from dairy products or a new brand of cat food is not an issue, you should avoid giving milk to your cat or constantly switching its food.
Most cats are lactose-intolerant, so they cannot digest dairy products. Unfortunately, that’s the thing many owners don’t know, and they keep giving milk just because the cat likes it.
If your cat’s diarrhea is abnormally dark in color or if it has any blood in it, it might be suffering from something entirely different (like cancer).
As for constipation, ingesting indigestible materials like furballs or bone can also lead to constipation.
It can also be from pelvic injuries, obesity, and tumors.
In both cases, you need to make sure that your feline stays well hydrated. If either of these issues persists longer than 24 hours, contact your vet and get your kitten treated.
Coughing
Did you know that most pet parents are not aware that cats can cough? Well, if you didn’t know either, now you do!
Your kitten’s purr can turn into a cough if it gets a respiratory disease, and it might vary depending on the underlying problem.
A dry cough can sound like a wheeze, while a wet cough is more like water at the back of your cat’s throat.
Asthma is common in cats due to pollen, cigarette smoke, perfume, and obesity.
Other reasons for coughing include:
- Lung cancer
- Allergies
- Pneumonia
- Infections
Respiratory diseases can become fatal if they get worse, and as constant coughing can make the breath stop, make sure to reach out for medical help as soon as you notice it.
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Sudden Loss Or Gain Of Weight
Weight loss can be difficult to notice due to your feline’s thick fur, so you’ll have to run your hand down your cat’s spine to see any changes in its weight.
Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of:
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Intestinal parasites
If you have a mommy cat, things can become complicated, as she might transfer intestinal parasites to her kittens through nursing.
Weight gain can either be due to excessive consumption of food or an internal issue like:
- High blood sugar levels
- Hypertension
- Congestive heart failure
Regardless of the underlying problem, you should never cut off your cat’s food to make it lose weight.
It will suffer much more, and it might be detrimental to its life. Instead, always seek advice from a vet for gradual weight loss.
Final Words
Final Words
Unlike humans, cats cannot verbally tell you about their illness.
They also hide their sickness and may be found under the bed or a corner most of the time.
If you notice such behaviour, our common symptoms of illness in cats may come into account.
So, make sure to determine the root cause of the problem and take it to the vet to avoid any threat to your cat’s life!
Do you love cats? Let me know in the comments below
