5 Ways to Tell if Your Cat is Healthy

February is National Cat Health Month! Although our feline pals are quite easy to care for, just like any other animal, they are susceptible to illness and injury. However, cats are notoriously secretive about hiding signs of illness, so it isn’t always easy to tell if your furball is sick. Read on as a Thorold, ON vet lists some ways to tell if your kitty is healthy.

Healthy cats are happy cats. Happy cats are frisky cats. If you have a furry bundle of zoom on your hands, Fluffy is probably feeling pretty good. After all, it takes a lot of energy to chase after that little red dot or bat at your shoelaces! If your furball is past her pouncing years, she may show contentment in smaller ways, like responding when you talk to her.

The best way to monitor Fluffy’s health is to have her examined by a vet regularly. Of course, when it comes to pet care, prevention is always better than the cure. Keep up with your kitty’s vaccinations and parasite control products!

Even a gain or loss of a few pounds can be significant in cats. However, these changes may not be easy to spot, especially if Fluffy is, well, fluffy. We recommend weighing your pet regularly. You may have a hard time getting your feline friend to step on a scale. Weigh yourself first, then pick your furball up and weigh yourself again. (Note: we suspect that sleeping cats weigh more than kitties who are awake, especially when they’re on your lap, but that’s just a theory.)

You can tell a lot about Fluffy’s health by looking at her. Healthy cats have soft, clean fur; bright, clear eyes; and a healthy dose of curiosity. Your kitty should also be at a healthy weight.

While cleaning the litterbox definitely isn’t a highlight of having a cat, it can actually be a bit useful, at least when it comes to monitoring your feline buddy’s health. Keep an eye out for changes in the amount, texture, or odor of your pet’s waste. While Fluffy’s litterbox will never smell like roses, unusually foul odors can indicate that something is wrong. Straining to go is also a red flag.

Please contact us, your Thorold, ON vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!