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Recognizing Illness in Your Cat

Only a healthy cat is a happy companion. Assuring your cat's daily well-being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the following signs:

Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings.
Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy.
Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down.
Loss of appetite, marked weight losses or gains, or excessive water consumption.
Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination.
Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body.
Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, or a ragged or dull coat.
Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth.

If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, you should get it to a veterinarian. If more than one symptom is present or has sudden onset, the danger to your feline friend is urgent and you need to take him in right now!

Many cats can be helped by using supplements for weight control, aggressiveness, arthritis and other conditions. Cats can begin to use the carpet for a litterbox because of emotional issues that you may not understand. Sometimes, the cat just outgrows the litterbox and needs a larger one. In all cases, you will need to deodorize your home to prevent further soiling outside the box, once the problem is fixed.

As cats age, arthritis and diabetes are more of a concern. Also, digestive changes can cause diarrhea or constipation; and the nutrients in food may not get absorbed as well. For these conditions, supplements are a great idea, and usually won't hurt anything. Check with your veterinarian to see what he or she suggests, and then look at our supplements page to find the ones you need. My supplier uses only the finest natural ingredients in their supplements - that's why I chose them. Prices are reasonable, and larger orders may qualify for free shipping.

Also, older cats have dental problems more often than younger cats. They don't brush their teeth! You can help a younger cat with a dental cleaning on a monthly basis. Get your kitten used to it early so that you can do this as the cat ages. Tooth loss can cause your cat to refuse dry food or to put the dry food in the water bowl to soften it. If your cat begins this ritual, help your cat along. A small amount of warm water over a measured amount of dry food will soften it. Be sure to pick up the left over food in 30 minutes. It won't keep.

If you are unsure about your cat's health after an incident, please check this document for emergencies... It contains a list of symptoms to look for that require immediate assistance from a veterinarian.

Related Websites:

Free Online Vet Advice

My Healty Cat

Cat Health Guide is a (nearly) complete resource for cat owners about cat diseases and conditions.

The Cat Guide is a fun site with lots of good information.

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