How to Check if Your Cat Is Healthy

Physical Examination

Examine your cat's eyes. Eye problems caused by viruses and bacteria, allergens, scratches and irritants are common in cats and can warrant a visit to the vet. Do not attempt to use home remedies, as these could result in further problems. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics or eye drops and a buster collar if necessary. (These collars are sometimes known as pet cones or Elizabeth collars.) You should be on the lookout for several signs of eye problems and take your cat to the vet if you notice them. These signs include: A lump on or near their eyes Discharge or tears from the eyes Swelling, redness or rubbing eyes more than usual Cloudy eyes, or a change in eye colour Note: The change in eye colour applies only to adult cats. Between 5 to 7 weeks, a kitten's eye colour will change from baby blue to their adult eye colour. Appearing disorientated and/or bumping into objects A visible third eyelid at the corner of their eye You can help your cat recover from an eye problem by ensuring they take any medication prescribed by your vet and wear a buster collar if required. Gently wipe away any discharge with a clean, damp cotton wool (sterile gauze) pad to help prevent further problems. Small amounts of crusting in the corner of your cat's eyes are normal. This is created when tears, aimed at flushing out irritants from the eyes, build up at the corner of the eye while your cat is sleeping. The colour of the normal crusting can range from pale yellow to brown, depending on the presence of mucus, tears and debris. However, a constant weeping eye or sticky, foul-smelling, excessive or oddly-coloured discharge, sometimes accompanied by irritation, swelling or squinting, are all cause for concern and require a visit to the vet.

Check their ears. A cat's ears should be movable and responsive to sound. They should be warm, clean and show no visible signs of ear mites (such as discharge resembling coffee grounds). Swelling, discharge, strong odour, discolouration and the collection of dirt and debris inside their ears are signs that your cat requires veterinary attention . Similarly, head tilting, unresponsiveness to sound, frequent pawing at the ears and loss of balance are clear signs of a problem; do not probe for the cause, and take your cat straight to the vet. Never insert anything into your cat's ear canal unless your vet has instructed you to do so. If your vet prescribes ear drops, you can gently massage the base of your cat's ear to help the medicine work its way into the ear canal. If ear infections persist, surgery may be required to remove swollen tissue. Cats' eardrums thicken with age, so hearing difficulties are often found in geriatric cats. Various medications— certain antibiotics or diuretics, for example — can also cause deafness in cats. Cats that fight frequently may experience a hematoma (a collection of blood from broken vessels) from scratches to the ear. Frequent exposure to strong sunlight increases the chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a cancer which can appear on the tips of a cat's ears) To decrease the chances of your cat developing ear problems, you can routinely examine their ears for the possible symptoms mentioned. Maintaining a clean environment will decrease the chances that ear mites or similar infectious agents proliferate. Minimising the exposure of your cat's ears to strong sunlight, particularly if their ear canal is lightly pigmented, will also decrease the risk of serious problems arising.

Feel their nose. While the temperature of their nose may depend on their activity levels and the temperature of their surroundings, a cat’s nose should be soft and slightly moist. Any crusting, bleeding, discharge and excess sneezing are all signs that something may be amiss, so take them to the vet for a health check. Accompanied by runny eyes, these could be symptoms of the flu, which cats are susceptible to catching.

Check your cat's mouth. Bad breath is an obvious sign of an underlying condition, such as kidney or digestive problems, or, more often, overgrowth of bacteria and plaque. If not treated quickly enough, this can lead to gum diseases and organ problems. Brown tartar build-up and irritated or bleeding gums may be accompanied by behaviours such as lots of saliva, clawing at the mouth and dropping food or hesitancy to eat, and warrant a trip to the vet. Look out for tooth fractures and wear, which may necessitate tooth extraction. You can brush your cat's teeth daily (or at least twice weekly) from a young age to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. Purchase a dental set with specially formulated toothpaste from a veterinary clinic. Never use human toothpaste: the fluoride levels are dangerous for your cat's health. With sterile gauze strips or a specially-designed rubber toothbrush, support your cat from behind, gently tilt their head back, and lift up their chin to open their mouth. Apply the bristles at a 45-degree angle, reaching the tooth surface and just beneath the gum margin. Covering your finger in the water from a can of tuna will also make the experience more pleasant for a cat. Never use dental floss due to the risk of swallowing and intestinal damage. Ask your vet to demonstrate this process before attempting to perform it yourself. Offer your cat toothpaste to lick, and practice pulling their head back then soothing them, to ease them into the process. Kittens lose their baby teeth and grow a full set of adult teeth by around 7 months old. It is common for them to have bad breath and inflamed gums while this happens. These signs should not last long and will rarely affect your kitten's appetite. Issues may arise if your kitten’s baby teeth do not fall out properly (at between 3-4 months), in which case they may need to be extracted. You can press your finger against your cat's gums to check whether they are dehydrated. Moist gums are healthy whereas dry, sticky gums are a sign of dehydration.

Notice the condition of your cat's coat. Although cats moult in summer, dull, dry, tangled or excessively thinning fur could be signs of stress or an underlying health issue. While it's hard to determine the cause yourself, a veterinarian can specify a course of action. This may include switching to a higher-quality cat food (as cats need a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to help them maintain a healthy coat), a weight loss diet (if obesity is stopping your cat from grooming properly) or treatment for an underlying health condition, such as adrenal or liver problems, that is contributing to the poor condition of your cat's fur. Groom your cats regularly to remove moulted fur, debris, and external parasites and to help distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts. Longer-haired cats require daily brushing to keep their hair from becoming matted. Do not forget to brush around the ears, in the armpits, and along the back of the legs. Bathing can dry out a cat's coat, so you should only bathe your cat when their coat is extremely dirty, such as when covered in grease. If bathing is an attempt to combat a household member's allergy to cats, hand washing and taking allergy medication will be far more effective. If you bathe your cat to combat fleas, switch to a flea treatment instead. Your vet will be able to recommend one.

Check for wounds, bumps, and other abnormalities on your cat's skin. A cat’s skin acts as a protective barrier against the outside world, so treatment of one or multiple possible problems should not be delayed. Common signs of skin problems include: Itchy skin, made worse by scratching and biting, or head shaking if the ears are affected Skin that is hot to the touch Oozing, scabbing, wounds, ulcers or lumps Dandruff Matting of the fur, sometimes accompanied by overgrooming Bald patches If you spot scratching, bites, scabbing, small droppings and bites on yourself or your cat, your cat may have fleas and you should take them to the vet. You will need to purchase a flea treatment from your vet, and regardless of whether or not your cat has fleas, you should treat them monthly or according to the instructions on the packet. To help kill or prevent fleas, brush your cat daily. Fleas can be found in hard-to-reach areas such as the neck and base of the tail. Inspect those areas and, if you see any dead or live fleas, use a flea comb to remove them. Use a bowl with soapy water to dip the comb and rinse off any fleas, then dry the comb before brushing your cat again. Spray your soft furnishings to kill flea eggs and/or larvae. Follow the instructions on the packaging and keep your cat out of the room you are treating. Ask your vet for recommendations. Vacuum regularly and thoroughly to prevent future infestations, and dispose of the bag when you are finished.

Run your hands over your cat's fur to check for ticks. These blood-sucking parasites will feel like little bumps. They drop onto your cats as they brush past and can cause nasty diseases if they’re not removed quickly. Use a tool specially meant for removing ticks and slide it underneath, getting as close to your cat's skin as possible. Twist it a few times (don't pull or squeeze - you're aiming to get the whole tick) until it lets go, and you can dispose of it. If you can't get part of the tick off, visit a vet immediately. Your cat can also contract Lyme disease, a bacterial infection, from ticks. Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you spot any signs, including: Limping Fatigue Reduced appetite Fever Swollen joints or lymph nodes Don’t squeeze the tick. This can push the blood inside it back into your cat and cause disease. You should regularly treat your cat with a tick treatment from your vet if you are concerned about ticks. Avoid off-the-shelf treatments: they are seldom as effective as what a vet can prescribe. Never use a product intended for dogs, which can harm your cat's health.

Keep an eye on your cat's gait. A limp could be a sign of anything from something stuck in the paw pads to a soft tissue injury. Look out for swelling, redness, foreign objects, excessive licking or lameness. Avoid attempting to examine to injury further if your cat displays visible discomfort when you touch it gently. If you see any of these signs, or your cat has been limping for 24 hours, take them to a veterinarian. If your cat cannot walk on the affected limb, it may be broken or dislocated. Do not attempt to examine the injury and take your cat to a vet straight away. It is important to take your cat to a vet has been limping for 24 hours (even with no visible signs of injury) or if their back or front legs appear to have collapsed completely. This could point to an underlying spinal, vascular or metabolic disease, among others.

Examine the anogenital area. It should be clean and free from any faecal matter. There should be no redness, swelling or discharge in this area. There should be no worm segments visible in the fur surrounding the anogenital area. If you see worm segments, they will look like grains of rice and may be accompanied by weight loss, eating more, itchy genitals, and in severe cases, a rounded belly. Any abnormal symptoms you spot in this area require a visit to the vet. If your cat has been treated for worms, there may be eggs around your house, which could re-infect your cat if ingested. Wash anything they have sat on on a hot wash, steam clean carpets and clean hard floors with a mild bleach or antibacterial cleaner. Thoroughly rinse and air the areas you have cleaned before letting your cat back into the room.

Take note of their faeces and urine. Urine should be a clear, pale yellow colour, with no blood or pus present. Faeces should be well-formed without looking too hard or soft, brown and log- or sausage-shaped. There should be no worm segments, foreign objects or blood present in the faeces. Call up your vet if there are any unusual objects or colourings present. Changes in urination or defaecation patterns, such as constipation or signs of blood, could also be warning signs of health issues. Call your vet if you notice any of the following signs: Straining or reduced ability to relieve themselves Aggression and abnormal behaviour Visible pain or vocalisation when trying to relieve themselves

Check your cat's weight. You should be able to feel (and sometimes see, depending on breed) their ribs under a slight covering of fat. A slight pad of fat on their tummy is normal, and ideal weight varies depending on breed, so consider using an online weight chart from a reputable source. If your cat is overweight, you can encourage play and reduce the treats they get alongside main meals. Consult your vet before drastically changing your cat's diet. For underweight cats, consult your vet for the best way to up their calorie intake while ensuring a balanced diet. Underweight cats should not just be fed treats to up their weight, nor should overweight cats be starved completely. A balanced diet for a cat contains fresh water, proteins and amino acids, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates and probiotics, a balance of minerals, and vitamins. Additionally, any cat requires exercise, including underweight cats. As these balances are so fragile, always consult your vet before drastically changing your cat's diet. Ideal weight varies by breed. The average is around 4.5 kilograms (9.9 lb), although larger breeds such as the Maine Coon can be healthy at 8 kilograms (18 lb).

Observing Behaviour

Observe any changes in their eating or drinking habits. Decreases or increases in appetite or thirst or being 'picky' about their food could point to dental, liver, kidney or metabolic problems that need weeks of management and come with nasty complications. Take notice of these signs as soon as possible and your vet can diagnose and treat the problem. To test if your cat is dehydrated, gently take a small portion of skin around their shoulder and pull it upwards. If your cat is hydrated, the skin will snap back into place quickly. If the skin falls back down slowly, your cat could be dehydrated. If it doesn't snap back at all, your cat is severely dehydrated. To rehydrate your cat, add a small amount of chicken broth to their water, give them wet food or put ice cubes in their water bowl. Cats need between 3.5-4.5 ounces (100-130ml) of water per 5 pounds (2.3 kg) of their body weight. Make sure to provide them with fresh, clean water daily and provide multiple water sources.

Watch their posture. Cats should not show any sign of pain when walking, such as a hunched posture, vocalisation, reluctance to move, limping or holding limbs or head in an unusual position. These changes may not be so obvious, but several signs always warrant a visit to the vet. Accompanied by excessive water drinking, sudden weight loss or gain, and changes in energy levels, these signs could point to underlying health problems such as hyperthyroidism or kidney failure.

Monitor your cat's activity levels. A healthy cat is naturally inquisitive and curious. If your cat appears lethargic or unwilling to play, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. Sick cats often become withdrawn and hide away. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism may manifest as hyperactivity. Your cat may become restless and vocal at night. Joint problems can leave your cat unable to move or jump as easily. However these changes manifest, they are cause for concern and require veterinary attention. It is worth noting that cats sleep for 12-18 hours a day and so will naturally have differing energy levels. However, drastic and unexpected changes in energy levels could indicate an underlying problem that may require medical attention.

Observe your cat's breathing. It should be smooth and effortless. Rapid, laboured, shallow or noisy breathing could indicate problems with the airway or lungs. If your cat is extending their head or neck, or appears unable to sleep in a normal position, sometimes paired with bouts of coughing and sneezing, there may be a health issue involved. Respiratory infections can begin as viral but often develop into secondary bacterial infections. If you believe your cat is having problems breathing, it is vital to take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Notice if your cat hides away. While cats can spend at least 12 hours a day asleep, they have also evolved to hide away to hide signs of illness and pain. If you can't think of any obvious reasons why they might be hiding, such as fireworks displays, and they've started hiding away more than usual, it's a good idea to take them to the vet. There may be a medical reason behind their sudden disappearances.

Take your cat to the vet if they are vomiting frequently. There may be benign causes of occasional vomiting. Cats often eat grass, which they can't digest, to then throw it up again and clear their digestive system of fur, bones and parasites. They also bring up the occasional hairball to expel undigested hair. Vomiting becomes cause for concern when it is frequent, or it is accompanied by loss of appetite, weakness or lack of energy, changes in urination or defaecation, increased thirst, or blood in the vomit. If you see any of these signs, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Frequent vomiting can require a thorough examination of your cat's medical history, bloodwork and X-rays. The underlying cause can take considerable time to identify.

Improving Your Knowledge of Feline Health

Make sure you understand what your vet is telling you. If they're using terminology you're unfamiliar with, there's something in your cat's vet record that doesn't make sense, or there's an obvious question you're afraid to ask, gather the confidence to ask anyway. It is important for you as an owner to fully understand possible side effects of medication, when and how you should be applying prescribed treatments, and the costs involved in taking care of your cat. No question is too "silly" to ask: that is what professionals are there for. Be careful not to lose your temper — both you and the vet want what is best for your cat. However, asking questions will help you better understand the information that your vet is trying to convey.

Avoid being swept away by misinformation online. If you're Googling an unknown symptom that your cat is experiencing, phoning your vet should always be your first point of call. If you do decide to turn to online sources, make sure they are trustworthy. A few reputable online sources include: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine American Veterinary Medical Association American Association of Feline Practitioners The Cats Protection League

Keep careful records of your cat's health and identification details. Keep their vet record safe — it may include important details such as vaccine ID stickers, date of birth and microchip number. A microchip can be scanned to identify your pet should they get lost, so it's good practice to keep a note of this number. If you don't have a record of it, you can ask the rescue centre or shelter you adopted your pet from, or your vet. You can access your pet's clinical vet records upon request, sometimes via an online portal. Ask your vet for how to go about requesting these. Be aware that obtaining these records may incur a small administrative fee: it depends on the data protection laws surrounding these records in your country. Under GDPR, these details should be provided for free, and in full, in the majority of cases, under a subject access request.

Keep your own records of your cat's health. This way, you can keep track of any sudden changes in your cat's health in a way that's easy for you to navigate. Evidence included can be both written and photographic. Not only does this serve as a record of your cat's growth to keep, but it also helps you note down symptoms to look out for should a health problem reoccur. Keep a record of any adverse reactions to medication or food, as well as dates to administer medication, to give your cat the best chance of avoiding future health problems.

Connect with cat experts and fellow cat owners. You could get involved with your local animal rescue charity, follow your local vet or cat rescue charity on social media, or subscribe to a cat magazine. Whether you opt for something more hands on, or simply want to read up on the latest cat health research, expanding your knowledge base can help you become a more responsible pet owner and become more familiar with the signs of an ill cat. Animal rescue centres in particular will be home to many sick or previously mistreated cats, allowing you to better recognise the signs of illness while providing a valuable helping hand in your local community.