- Inappropriate Elimination- has your cat has stopped using his litter box? It could be indicative of kidney disease, a urinary tract infection or diabetes
- Altered Behavior- Is the cat interacting differently with family members and other pets? It could signal disease, fear, anxiety or pain.
- Changes in Activity- a previously active cat becoming sedentary can mean arthritis or systemic illness. An increase in activity could be caused by hyperthyroidism
- Different Sleeping Habits- while the average adult cat may sleep up to 18 hours a day (including “cat-naps”) anything more than that could be due to some underlying disease.
- Eating and Drinking Changes- Morris the finicky cat was the exception. Most cats do like to eat, and eating less can signal a range of disorders from tooth problems to cancer. Increased food and water consumption can be caused by diabetes, hyperthyroidism or other problems.
- Unexplained Changes in Weight – sudden weight loss can be caused by a host of diseases including cancer. An obese cat, on the other hand, runs the risk of diabetes, joint disease and other illnesses.
- Changes in Grooming-a sick, anxious or obese cat may not be so fastidious about his appearance so watch for bald patches or a greasy, matted coat. Excessive grooming could be due to a skin condition.
- Signs of Stress- cats who seem depressed, hide more and spend a lot of time awake and prowling around nervously may be suffering from a behavioral issue but it’s important to first rule out any medical causes.
- Changes in Vocalization- an increase in meowing or howling is often seen in cats with high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism. Many cats also vocalize more when their anxious or in pain.
- Bad Breath - Studies show that 70% of cats have gum disease as early as age three, so bad breath can be an early symptom of a dental problem.
