How to tell if your cat is sick – 10 subtle signs

While most pet owners can recognize the obvious signs of illness in cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, or discharge from the eyes, you may not be familiar with the more subtle signs that cats express when they are not feeling good.

In fact, in the wild, cats are predators of small animals, but they are also prey to animals such as coyotes. Therefore, to protect themselves, they tend to hide any signs of illness. This can make it harder to know when your cat needs help because there are subtle signs that your cat may be sick.

All cat parents should be aware of subtle signs that their cat may be sick and should consult a veterinarian. These are the ten most subtle signs of illness in cats.

1. Your cat hides more than usual

Remember when I said that cats in the wild are both predators and prey? It follows that if a cat is sick, it does not want anyone to know and has the instinct to hide and protect itself.

One of the signs that your cat may be sick is simply that you see him less than usual, that you suddenly find him hiding under your bed or in the closet, or that he is less sociable than usual.

2. Your cat has a sagging third eyelid.

Did you know that your cat has three eyelids? It’s true! Cats have two eyelids like humans and then a third protective eyelid called nictitans or nictitating membrane, which is pink in color, and usually located in the lower inner corner of the eye socket.

You can see it when your cat is sleeping soundly. The third eyelid also rises when a cat feels unwell and remains in the middle, covering half of the eye.

If you notice that you see your cat’s third eyelid more often or when he or she is awake, or if the third eyelid is red or swollen, it is a sign that your cat is sick.

3. Your cat doesn’t jump or climb stairs

Cats are natural athletes who enjoy jumping, climbing, and being in high spaces. When a cat stops jumping, it is a sign that something is wrong. The most common reason cats stop jumping is joint pain due to arthritis.

Arthritis is very common in older cats, but we don’t often recognize the signs. Cats don’t tend to limp or cry when they have joint pain, they just stop jumping and climbing and sleep more.

If you notice that your previously active cat who liked to run, jump, and play has stopped participating in these activities and is content to walk, or if you notice that he is hesitant to go up or down the stairs, your cat may have arthritis.

4. Your cat has a difficult appetite

We all know that cats can be picky eaters. If your cat has been picky all his life and has been checked by a veterinarian, this is probably not a sign of illness in your cat. On the other hand, if your cat previously had a good appetite and suddenly refused its food, there is likely a problem with the food or your cat.

It is VERY important that your veterinarian intervene if your cat has not eaten for 48 hours, as cats that go several days without eating develop a life-threatening liver problem called hepatic lipidosis. If your cat stops eating for more than a day or reduces the amount of food he eats for several days, call your veterinarian to get him checked out.

5. Your cat suddenly develops a voracious appetite

I know I just said that if a cat stops eating it’s a sign of illness, but the opposite is also true! Several conditions in cats, including diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s syndrome, can increase a cat’s appetite.

If your cat is suddenly eating more and is thin or losing weight, this is definitely a sign that your cat needs veterinary care. Understand the topic of squash safety for your cat. This article explores the potential benefits and precautions when adding squash to your feline companion’s diet, ensuring a safe and nutritious dietary choice for your pet.

6. Your cat is losing weight

Unexpected weight loss in a cat is due to not eating enough calories or burning them off too quickly. Cats may not eat enough if they are stressed, in pain for any reason, including dental disease, or if they are nauseous.

This can occur in many cases, such as kidney disease, inflammation of the urinary tract, or pancreatitis. Cats may also be eating enough, but losing calories due to illnesses such as intestinal parasites, cancer, or diarrhea. Not sure if your cat is too thin?

7. Your cat drinks a lot and urinates a lot

Several conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and Cushing’s syndrome, can cause a cat to drink a lot and urinate a lot.

If your cat suddenly spends a lot of time near his water bowl, empties it faster, goes to his litter box more often, or has lakes, it’s probably a sign that your cat is sick.

Try to bring a urine sample to the veterinary hospital so the staff can test the urine for diseases.

8. Your cat defecates outside the litter box.

It’s time to dispel a myth! Cats are not bad when they urinate or defecate on their bed, bedding, carpet, or anything else they use as a personal toilet. When cats do this, it is a sign that they need HELP.

Leaving the litter box is called improper elimination and is a sign that something is wrong with your cat. Stress from any cause, including pain and gastrointestinal and urinary disorders, is often the cause of inadequate elimination.

It can be one of the subtle signs that your cat may be sick.

9. Your cat has oily or matted fur

Healthy cats are generally demanding caregivers. If your cat stops grooming, it’s a sign that something is prompting him to interrupt his daily grooming routine, such as pain, nausea, or stress. Even obesity can interfere with a cat’s ability to groom properly and can lead to tangles or other coat problems.

Additionally, if your cat has an oily coat with excess dander, it could be a sign that your cat is not grooming properly or a sign of a skin condition called seborrhea, which can be treated.

10. Your cat makes faces while eating

You’ve probably seen the videos on social media where a cat is fed something, often cold, and after giving it a lick or two, makes the most hilarious face.

While we humans laugh at it, the cat doesn’t find it very funny, because this grimace is due to a sore or sensitive tooth.

Feline resorbable odontoclastic lesions (FLOR) are dental problems in cats that are similar to cavities in humans, except that they are not caused by bacteria. We don’t know the exact cause of LORFs, but we do know that the condition eats away at the teeth, exposing the pulp cavity and causing pain and inflammation.

So when you see a cat grimace after eating something (usually cold), it’s because the cat is in pain and needs to see a vet.

And there you go! Now know the subtle signs that your cat may be sick. We hope this information helps you take better care of your cat and helps it live a longer, healthier life.