Checking Your Cat’s Health

Cats are independent creatures and are also good at hiding any signs of illness or injury.  Here is a health check list which you can use as follows:

Overall body condition
Your cat should have a recognisable waistline and a noticeable tummy tuck.  Ideally, you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs.  Signs to look for are unusual weight loss or gain.

Eyes
These should be clear and bright with no redness, soreness or discharge.  Your cat should not shy away from a bright light as if it hurts its eyes.

Ears
They should be clear of any thick black or brown wax, plus there should be no smell.  If you have a fine haired cat or a cat with white tipped ears then consider using a sunscreen lotion to prevent sunburn (which can cause skin cancer). 

Mouth
The teeth should be white with no excess tartar, and the gums should be pale pink or black.  Indicators of dental problems include the dropping of food, bad breath, excess salivation and clawing at the mouth.                  
                               
Skin and Coat
The skin will be pink or black, depending on the pigments normally found in your cat’s skin.  There should no fleas, sores, bald patches or dandruff and the overall appearance of the coat should be thick and shiny with no broken hairs. 

Nails
These should be smooth, and if your cat is an ‘indoor cat’, they should be clipped regularly to prevent in-growing nails.

Digestion and Thirst
Cats do chew grass or fur (as a result of grooming) so will occasionally vomit these up.  However, persistent sickness or choking when eating needs further investigation.  As regards elimination, make sure that your cat’s stools are normal in colour and consistency.  If your cat appears to have constipation and diarrhoea then contact your vet. 

As regards thirst, healthy cats do not appear to drink much water, especially if they eat ‘wet food’ with high moisture content.  Many cats will find liquid whilst away from home.  Always ensure that there is a large bowl of fresh, clean water available.  If you notice a sudden increase in water intake, contact your vet.

The Older Cat

If you have an older cat then like older humans, they are more prone to illness or disease.  As a ‘senior citizen’ they require a bit more care and consideration which you need to be aware of. Your cat’s nutritional habits will change, with the result that he/she will need less calories due to a slower metabolism.  He/she will want to go outside more often to relieve him or herself, or will increasingly use a litter tray.  Your cat will show signs of slowing down and so will spend less time roaming around or playing, preferring to stay close to you. 

Use the checklist to assess your cat’s health in much the same way as a younger cat, bearing in mind any age related issues.  In most cases, your cat will gradually slow down and ‘age gracefully’.  On average, cats tend to live longer than dogs, often for 20 years or more. 

If you notice the early signs of an illness or disease then contact your vet as any delay could have potentially serious consequences.