Cats don’t always let us know when they are feeling bad. In fact, it is instinctive for them to hide signs of illness. Feline doctors are trained to recognize signs of illness in cats. Here is a list of ten subtle signs that may mean your cat is sick:
- Change in grooming behavior
- Change in activity
- Weight loss or gain
- Change in appetite
- Change in interaction with people or other cats in the household
- Change in sleeping habits
- Not using the litterbox
- Stress
- Meowing more or less than usual
- Bad Breath
Cats usually live longer than most dogs and it is no longer unusual for them to live until 17 or beyond. How long an individual cat will live depends on many factors such as genetics, lifestyle, type of diet and of course the appropriate veterinary care. The rule of thumb is that at about age 8, a cat is considered to be middle-aged. At age 12 and above, a cat is considered to be in old age.
As you can see, a seven year old cat is well into his ‘forties’. And since one year for a cat is equivalent to four human years, many changes can take place in what for us, is a fairly short period of time. That is why the American Veterinary Medical Association as well as the American Association of Feline Practitioners now recommend twice yearly physical exams for all cats. Cats 8 years and older should have screening tests for diseases such as hyperthyroidism, kidney insufficiency, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Dr. McGeorge recommends:
For cats under age 8 – physical exam and dental checkup twice a year
For cats age 8 and older – physical exam and dental checkup twice a year
– laboratory screening tests for age-related diseases
With this program, many health problems which are not readily detected in other ways can be caught early on and appropriate steps taken to ensure continued well-being and a longer life for your cat.