Common health problems in cats … What you need to know
August 14, 2022
Cats are very good at hiding pain and illness. While this may help wild cats to survive it means that owners of their domestic relatives have to be on the lookout for any subtle signs of ill health. As cats ages faster than humans, a lot can happen in a short space of time but by monitoring your cat closely, you can help to identify any changes sooner and get them the help they need.
The team at Clarendon Street Vets has some advice for cat owners on how to spot common cat health problems that may arise in between annual checkups.
If you have any concerns about your cat’s health,
Common cat health problems
Common ailments that affect cats include:
- Dental disease
- Skin problems
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Joint disease/Osteoarthritis
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Urinary problems
- Cancer
Many of these conditions can affect cats at any stage of life, whilst some are more likely to affect them in their older years. Regardless of age, there are changes you can look for that might signify something is not quite right … These changes include
- Unusual behaviours, or more of less of certain behaviours
- Changes to toileting habits
- Changes in appetite
- Drinking more or less
- Weight loss or gain
- Skin/coat changes
Being on the lookout for, and responding to any of the above helps you learn what is normal for your cat (they are all different!) and to spot any early clues of illness.
Patrick advises performing this 6-point cat checklist regularly at home to spot any irregularities:
6-point cat checklist
- Nose – this should be clean, clear, and subtly moist
- Eyes – these should be bright and clear, with no discharge or redness
- Mouth – the teeth should be healthy looking, with no breakages or tartar build-up, and gums should be pale pink
- Ears – these should be clean and clear with no discharge, swelling, nasty smells, or frequent scratching
- Coat/skin – this should be shiny and healthy, with no dandruff, parasites, bald patches, lumps, or bumps
- Weight – a healthy lean weight is ideal, with a visible waist and rib cage that can be felt but not seen
If you spot any changes on your cat that you are concerned about, it is best to get them checked by Patrick or any of the Vets at our 28 Clarendon Street surgery.