By Alex Pupkin

It can be incredibly difficult to tell if your cat is sick, because they are exceptionally good at hiding their symptoms. In fact, in many cases symptoms of illness will not appear in a cat until the condition has become nearly fatal. For example, with certain forms of cancer, you may have no idea that your cat is sick until it is too late. For this reason, it is especially important for cat owners to be aware and vigilant about their cat's health. Regular veterinary visits are obviously important, but you should also watch for these signs that will help you with how to tell if your cat is sick.

Changes in Social Behaviour

A veterinary surgeon removes stitches from a cat's face following minor surgery on an abscess. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A loner cat that suddenly becomes clingy or an excessively affectionate cat that suddenly becomes reclusive may be a sick cat. If you notice sudden or extreme changes in your cat's behaviour, this may be a sign of illness. Unfortunately, there may be no other obvious symptoms so if the odd behaviour continues for more than a few days you should visit your veterinarian.

Changes in Activity Level

Likewise, if your cat has become lethargic, distant, or lacks energy, this is also a common sign of illness. Arthritis is one example of a cat disease that will likely make your cat less active than normal. But even more life-threatening conditions can have a significant impact on your cat's activity level. Similarly, if your cat starts to behave erratically or appears to have an excess of energy, there may be an underlying health concern.

Changes in Appetite

Whether you're monitoring your cat's eating or drinking habits, obvious changes could be a sign of illness. Indeed, one of the earliest signs that your cat is sick is lack of appetite or diminished consumption of water. If you have a general idea of how much your cat eats or drinks on a daily basis, you'll be well prepared to notice changes in appetite that may signify illness. Similarly, excessive weight gain or weight loss for no apparent reason is a common symptom of sickness in cats.

Halitosis

Bad breath in cats is often associated with metabolic diseases or most likely dental disease. Ensure your cat undergoes regular dental health checkups with your veterinarian in order to maintain proper oral health.

Changes in Grooming Habits

A cat that becomes disinterested in grooming is likely ill. From arthritis and obesity to oral health problems, there may be many underlying reasons your cat is not grooming. Regardless, if the lack of grooming persists, visit your veterinarian.

Other changes

Changes in sleeping habits, litter box habits, excessive scratching or other routine changes may indicate your cat is not feeling well. Essentially, you should monitor your cat's general behaviour and if you notice significant alterations, visit a vet.

If you notice any of the above changes in your cat's behavior, it is advisable to visit a veterinary clinic near you, such as Steveston Veterinary Hospital in Richmond, BC.