Warning signs that a cat is ill

[Dilbertian]

So many threads mention noticing that a cat is ill by what appears in their litter tray. So if your cat doesn't use the litter tray, but always goes outside, does that mean that you miss the signs of illness? How would you know, for example, if your cat isn't weeing, or if it has diarrhoea?

Its whiskers fall out.

Lost interest in eating

Lay around seemingly alright but (in retrospect) realise he was being hugely less active

Unexplained sudden Weight gain or loss

shaking, couldn't jump, stumbling, wouldn't stop meowing...

There’s normally other signs, they might drink more, eat more or do less of both.
Sometimes they stop interacting and if they’re really feeling rough they’ll hide.
Weight gain, coughing, weight loss, peeing in the house are all signs you can’t miss. You just know.
I’ve had many cats who lived to a good age and I’ve seen a few illnesses. Saddle thrombus is one I hope never to see again.

Coat looks dull, not being active, weight loss, strange behaviour, changes in eating pattern

Lethargy, eating less, not wanting to go out. You do know.

Lethargy , dullness, quietness and hiding in corners. Points to dehydration and pain.

A massive sign is when they start peeing outside the box, often in plain sight. It is cat-speech and means that they are in pain and really need to be taken to the vet. Never delay, get them checked out straight away.

If your cat has any sort of fit or walks round in circles it has potentially fatal nerve issues so please take him to the vet straight away. Things can be done before his health disintegrates.

Not cleaning their fur is also a very bad sign, theybare probably very weak and dehydrated.

When they stop eating and drinking it is an emergency too so straight to the vet.

(As you can tell, I have been through lots with my dearly departed cats)

Are these signs - lethargy, not grooming, going off food etc - later signs than litter tray signs?

I never seen him drink, either.

It’s difficult to know. If you are worried just call the vet.

The only sign that magic was critically ill was that she was still in the same place when I got home from work. There were literally no other symptoms. Then I picked her up and she cried and I knew she was ill.

With hindsight I think my pair have clearly picked up a bit of a bug. They were both a bit quiet. But not much. I only see it now normal service is resumed!

@Dilbertian

Are these signs - lethargy, not grooming, going off food etc - later signs than litter tray signs?

I never seen him drink, either.

Litter tray signs could be cystitis, with this they tend to pee outside the litter tray and often, and just act uncomfortable. Peeing large amounts could be kidney issues. I’d say imagine if you were ill and how you’d act, it’s similar you’d see a change in them although they try and hide being ill.

I was able to detect my cat had diabetes early on because I noticed an increased thirst (but thought it was due to the Summer temperatures) and much more peeing (lumping sand also helps).

I have no particular concerns about MrFattyCat. But it's been nearly 30 years since I last had a cat, and a refresher on what to notice has been very reassuring.

I've had both cats and dogs but what I remember about having a cat is that when they are ill they can go downhill very quickly.

@Dilbertian aww ok. Here’s to a lot of healthy years for MrFattyCat, who has an ace name BTW!

@Dilbertian

Are these signs - lethargy, not grooming, going off food etc - later signs than litter tray signs?

I never seen him drink, either.

It really depends on the illness.

Best thing to do is ring the vet if you're concerned ours are excellent and will see them if you want your mind putting at rest.

I have been known to ring the vet and make an appointment because my grey and white cat was "looking a bit green!". By that I meant that he was off form but I couldn't pin point exactly what was up with him. He turned out to have an infection that required anitbiotics.

Cats are good at hiding illness but you get to know when they're sick because they're just not themselves.

Ours sits on laps when ill, and never otherwise.

[quote Shallysally]@Dilbertian aww ok. Here’s to a lot of healthy years for MrFattyCat, who has an ace name BTW! [/quote]
MrFattyCat is his MN handle. He's really MrNotSoFatsoCatso now, but that doesn't roll off the tongue quite as easily.

My previous cat never needed the vet until she broke a leg aged 19, so I actually have no experience of a poorly cat.

Signs my cat is feeing ill are:

• he becomes far more tolerant of being stroked.

• he shows no interest in food.

• he stops climbing up on to things and just lies on his side on the floor.

If he hides under the furniture it means that he needs to be seen as an emergency - even if there are no obvious symptoms. Each time it's happened he's been very ill indeed and needed emergency treatment.

@TheLongRider

I have been known to ring the vet and make an appointment because my grey and white cat was "looking a bit green!". By that I meant that he was off form but I couldn't pin point exactly what was up with him. He turned out to have an infection that required anitbiotics.

Cats are good at hiding illness but you get to know when they're sick because they're just not themselves.

Yes, I took in Ashycat a few times under these circs. Can't say what's wrong.... but it is.

One of Ashycat's symptoms was that she wasn't sleeping on the bed. She normally loved my bed (unless it was roasting) and if she didn't sleep with me, that was a bad sign.

From experience with my last two oldies, I'd say starting to wee in house (cystitis in my girl's case) and an increased appetite (didn't really notice as her brother scoffed for England). Also, loss of weight and coat condition.