Signs That Your Cat Needs Immediate Veterinary Care

Do you have a kitty? Your furball may be very clear about her wishes when she wants food or attention, but she may not be as forthcoming about letting you know when she’s sick. In fact, cats learned long ago to mask any signs of illness, as showing weakness could attract dangerous predators. Therefore, it’s very important for you to be able to recognize any possible signs of illness in your furball. Otherwise, you may not realize that Fluffy isn’t feeling well until she’s very sick! In this article, a local Fort Collins, CO lists some signs of sickness in kitties.

While it’s purrfectly normal for Fluffy to want to curl up in a quiet spot at naptime, she should emerge, yawning and stretching and perhaps a bit hungry, after a few hours. If your kitty doesn’t want to leave her hiding place, she could be ill.

Healthy kitties always want to look their best. Your feline friend may spend hours each day grooming that pretty fur. Sick kitties, however, often don’t feel up to going through their beauty rituals. Greasy, matted, or unkempt fur can be signs of illness in cats.

A change in appetite can also be a red flag. If Fluffy isn’t interested in her dinner, or suddenly starts scarfing down her entire meal, she could be ill.

Excessive thirst can also be a sign of trouble in kitties. To monitor Fluffy’s water intake, fill her bowl with fresh water at the same time every day.

Litter box issues can be another red flag. If you notice a change in your cat’s waste, or if Fluffy stops using the litter box, there could be an issue. Straining to urinate can also be an indication of a serious medical problem.

Just like people, kitties often just don’t act like themselves when they feel sick. If your kitty is usually reserved, but suddenly starts demanding attention, she could be sick. On the other hand, an affectionate kitty that suddenly becomes antisocial could also be ill.

Weight gain or loss, sudden aggression, lethargy, and fever can also indicate illness in kitties. If you see any of these symptoms in your kitty, or if Fluffy just doesn’t seem like herself, contact us, your Fort Collins, CO veterinary clinic, immediately.