By Marissa Laliberte, Reader's Digest
Book an appointment with the vet if you notice any of these abnormal behaviors in your pet.
Eye problems
[post_ads]'If you see anything abnormal with your cat’s eye, that is enough to
warrant a visit to the vet,' says Evan Antin, DVM, a veterinarian with Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital.
Watch out for blood, yellow or green discharge, excess tears, or a
hazy, gray color change—any of those vision symptoms should be taken
seriously, he says.
Loss of appetite
Just like humans don’t feel like eating when they’re sick, animals lose
their appetites, too. Don’t freak out if your cat turns its nose at one
meal, but going a full day without eating could be a sign of a slew of
feline health issues, from stomach aches to respiratory problems to
dental issues. Ashley Rossman, DVM, veterinarian with Glen Oak Dog & Cat Hospital,
says a lack of eating is one of the symptoms owners are most likely to
blow off for too long. 'Don’t wait five days—after the first 24 to 36
hours, bring the cat in,' she says. 'It’s not good for the cat to not
it. They could get fatty liver disease.' The sooner you visit the vet,
the sooner your cat can get healthy.
Yowling
You recognize the sound of your cat’s normal noises, but listen up if
its mews have turned to yowls. 'If you have a cat that’s really
uncomfortable and yowling nonstop, that should tell you something’s
going on,' says Dr. Antin. 'That cat is in real pain.' Bring it to the
vet to get to the bottom of the issue.
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Sudden energy from older cats
No, your playful new kitten probably isn’t warning you of any health
problems. But if your lazy aging cat is suddenly bouncing off the walls,
you might want to ask a vet for some blood work. 'If they’re
hyperactive and losing weight and sometimes vomiting more, that would be
a common thing to see with hyperthyroidism,' says Dr. Antin.
Blood in the litter box
[post_ads]Any time you spot blood in your cat’s litter box, call the vet for an
appointment, says Dr. Rossman. Your pet might be dealing with anything
from a UTI to bladder cancer, so getting a diagnosis is the first step
to getting treatment.
Excess vomiting
Dealing with hairballs is just part of being a cat owner, but don’t
shrug your shoulders at a kitty that’s constantly vomiting. 'If they’re
vomiting more than two or three times a week, they need to seek
professional help,' says Dr. Rossman. Your cat might have food
poisoning, pancreatitis, or stress, and a vet can lead you to a
diagnosis.
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Extra clumps in the litter box
Take note if your cat’s water dish is emptying faster than usual; it
could be the first clue that your cat is having kidney problems, says
Dr. Antin. 'Felines are carnivores and have very high-protein diets,' he
says. 'Protein is very demanding on the kidneys.' So if your cat is
dealing with a UTI or chronic kidney dysfunction, it might need to pee
more, then lap up extra water to make up for the dehydration.
More hiding
[post_ads]Cats can be notoriously skittish, so you might not think twice if your
kitty keeps disappearing under the bed. But if your cat is hiding more
than usual, it could be a sign that your pet is in pain or isn’t feeling
well. 'They could feel more secure in their hiding spot than out in the
open,' says Dr. Rossman. 'It’s their safety net.' It’s easy to spot
abnormal shyness in a more social cat, but the behavior change is harder
to spot in a timid kitty, points out Dr. Antin. If your cat is hiding
in different places or for longer periods and is displaying other
symptoms, take it to the vet, he says. Extra hiding is particularly
concerning in older cats, who could be developing cancer or metabolic
issues, he says.
Senility
A cat dealing with cognitive decline could show a host of symptoms, from
meowing more to seeming disoriented. Yes, some cats will respond to
treatment for senility, but that’s not the only reason to check with a
vet. 'There are other things that can cause that odd behavior that are
not actually senility,' says Dr. Antin. 'This other stuff might be
treatable.' For instance, your cat might have eaten something toxic or
be dealing with kidney disease, but you’ll need to rule those out before
trying any medications for cognitive decline.
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Missing the litter box
A cat that’s stopped using its litter box might be sending a message by
marking its territory, but you’ll still want to take it to the vet. What
you assume is a behavior problem might actually be a medical issue,
such as bladder cancer or a kidney stone, says Dr. Rossman. 'It’s always
good to rule out the medical things first because those are easier to
fix than the behavioral ones,' she says.
Seizures
'Most neurologic things a human would have, a pet can have as well,'
says Dr. Rossman. Especially if your cat isn’t an epileptic, you should
be concerned if you see it roll back its eyes, lose consciousness, or
lose control of its bowels. Put it in a padded area without getting your
hands near its mouth, then call the vet ASAP, she says.
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